ICYMI: Gov Signs Bills to Prevent HOA Homeowner Foreclosures, Price Gouging on Rent After a Disaster

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed two bills into law administratively to limit HOA-driven foreclosures and prevent excessive increases in rent in the wake of a disaster.

“Millions of Coloradans live in HOA communities, and although we have passed numerous laws to protect HOA homeowners, they are still at risk of losing their home over minor issues,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1337. “No family should forego buying food, medicine, or other necessities just to keep up with ballooning charges from their HOA. This legislation creates safeguards against foreclosures initiated by HOAs and ensures that Coloradans in HOAs will not lose their homes due to fines, fees, and exorbitant attorney fees, keeping Coloradans safely housed.”

“No one should be at risk of losing their home for being in violation of minor HOA rules,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1337. “In addition to ensuring Coloradans won’t have to pay sky–high attorney fees, this new law will give homeowners the right to purchase their property back before it's transferred, which creates more housing stability.”

“Housing affordability is a serious issue for Coloradans, and excessive HOA fees and collections threaten housing security for thousands of families,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1337. “This law creates a pathway for homeowners to cure their debts and remain in their homes or allows affordable housing advocates to have an opportunity to buy the home before corporate developers. This change is crucial in keeping more Coloradans safely housed and preserving affordable housing.”

“Home ownership is supposed to create generational wealth, but right now the housing crisis is creating generational debt,” said Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1337. “This law helps ensure HOA foreclosure is a last resort while lowering legal costs and providing Coloradans with the opportunity to buy back their property and stay in their communities. It’s a great step to improving financial and housing stability in Colorado.”

Currently, HOAs can require a homeowner to reimburse the HOA for collection costs and attorney fees associated with collecting HOA fines and fees without starting a legal proceeding. HB24-1337 limits the reimbursement amount to 50 percent of the underlying payment owed or $5,000, whichever is less.

The law prohibits foreclosing on a lien if the homeowner is in compliance with a repayment plan for the owed amount and requires an HOA to take specific steps before foreclosing on a home, ensuring foreclosure is the last resort.

The law also creates a right of redemption for properties in an HOA that have been foreclosed on, which would allow unit owners, tenants, nonprofits, community land trusts, and other entities the opportunity to purchase the property before it’s transferred.

HB24-1259 prohibits 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 are to 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.

“Many Coloradans saw rents skyrocket after the Marshall Fire, and those who had lost their homes were forced to juggle exorbitant rents while they tried to rebuild their lives,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB24-1259. “We know disasters cause financial and emotional trauma, and no one deserves to be taken advantage of while they try to piece their life back together. This legislation adds essential protections for Coloradans so they don’t experience excessive rent increases in the aftermath of a disaster.”

“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 Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB24-1259. “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 law will protect Coloradans from rental price gouging in the wake of disasters, and ease the burden of housing during already-difficult times.”

“After the Marshall Fire, hundreds of families suddenly had to find housing overnight because they lost everything they had, only to experience huge increases in rent because of the influx of renters in the market,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1259. “Disasters devastate communities and have a ripple effect on neighboring communities that now must house Coloradans post-disaster. This consumer protection legislation reigns in price-gouging of rent for a one-year period after a declared disaster, preventing disaster survivors from being taken advantage of."

The law makes it a deceptive trade practice to price gouge when providing rental housing during the year following a disaster that materially reduces housing units, allowing the Attorney General or a district attorney to pursue enforcement actions, including civil penalties, under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Affected tenants are also 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.

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ICYMI: Bill to Improve Gig Worker Rights, Boost Transparency Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively that will improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers.

“All workers deserve to know how much they get paid and what their job entails, but currently rideshare and delivery gig workers aren’t given that information,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Our new law gives basic rights to TNC drivers and provides much-needed transparency for customers.”

“Gig workers deserve to know how much they will get paid before they accept a job, and this law will give them better clarity so they can make informed workplace decisions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Many gig workers rely on this industry as their main source of income, and providing better transparency in their workplace gives them more freedom and better support. This law improves gig workers’ rights while providing much-needed transparency and collecting data that will give us a better picture of the gig working industry to make future improvements for workers.”

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to craft this legislation, which increases transparency for drivers and the public as it relates to TNCs,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “SB 75 will provide essential details, like pay, destination, and direction, that all app-based drivers deserve.”

“The gig economy has exploded in recent years, and we must address the lack of worker protections and consumer transparency to ensure fair wages and autonomy,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This new law aims to address these issues by requiring companies to disclose the distance, direction, and fare of a ride to drivers before they accept it and share fare information with customers so they know how much of their rideshare fee is going to their driver. Without this information, drivers and customers are left in the dark and are vulnerable to being over-charged or underpaid.”

Gig work has risen over the last decade, but many workers struggle to make ends meet or plan for their financial future due to the volatile nature of their earnings and unjust terminations. SB24-075 addresses a number of issues gig workers and consumers face by requiring the following:
·        Companies must disclose terms and grounds for termination or deactivation of drivers and communicate their reconsideration process;
·        Companies must disclose the fare, distance, and direction to all drivers before they accept a ride, which can prevent last-minute ride cancellations initiated by drivers;
·        Companies must disclose fare information to customers, including the total amount paid and  the amount the driver received; and
·        Companies must disclose some ride and app activity-related information to the state of Colorado, such as total mileage driven, deactivations and reconsideration results, and more.

The law aims to provide TNC drivers with transparent information about tasks and earnings while providing customers with the information needed to make decisions about how much to tip. Additionally, it protects drivers by giving them a basic level of transparency about how deactivations are considered and can be appealed.

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ICYMI: SIGNED! Bill to Improve Health Insurance Transparency Becomes Law

SB24-080 ensures insurance compliance with federal regulations in Colorado

DENVER, CO – Governor Polis yesterday signed into law legislation sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Representatives Mary Young, D-Greeley, and Julia Marvin, D-Thornton, that will enhance transparency in health care coverage. 

Currently, insurers are required to disclose and post pricing details and submit prescription drug spending information to the federal government. However, this information is not easily accessible to Coloradans. SB24-080 will ensure transparency for consumers so they can make informed decisions about their health care. 

“Coloradans deserve to have easy access to information on health insurance costs,” said Fields. “Right now, too many health insurance carriers aren’t complying with federal price transparency laws. By addressing the problem at the state level, we can hold these companies accountable and help save Coloradans money on health care.”

“We’re committed to saving Coloradans money on their health care, and this legislation ensures that statewide insurance companies are complying with federal price transparency laws,” said Young. “To improve health outcomes for every Coloradan, we must make health care more affordable and accessible. This law gives consumers a clear view of their health care costs and ultimately saves them money.” 

“I’m proud of our work to make health care coverage more affordable for Coloradans. This new law is the next step forward in that process,” Jaquez Lewis said. “Folks would have a digital tool to compare rates, covered items and services, and get real time responses on questions so they can find an option that works best for them and their family.”

“To save Coloradans money on health care they need tools at hand to compare the rates of procedures and medical services,” said Marvin. “This new law ensures that our health care companies are complying with federal price transparency laws. We’ve made important progress to bring down the cost of health care, and this law makes sure consumers have a better understanding of the cost associated with health care for themselves and their families.”

The new law requires carriers to submit information on their negotiated rates and prescription drug trends to the Division of Insurance (DOI) in an easy-to-read, accessible format. DOI will have the ability to ensure compliance from insurers by creating a consumer price comparison tool that insurers use to input data so that Coloradans can easily access cost sharing information on all items and services.

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ICYMI: Bill to Bolster Crime Victim Support, Behavioral Health Programs Becomes Law

New law funds crime victims grant programs, public safety grants, and behavioral health services

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively to refer a measure to the ballot that would fund the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund and behavioral health crisis response system services by creating an excise tax on the firearm industry.

“When I was a young and homeless single mother, victim support services played a significant role in helping me navigate the judicial system so I could safely escape my abuser,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “With funding for victim services significantly reducing in the coming years, Colorado victims will lose access to essential resources that will help keep them safe and healthy. Our law allows Colorado voters to decide if we should create an excise tax on guns and ammunition so we can continue to fund victim services. I would not be where I am today without these services, and by creating this excise tax, we can ensure that other survivors will have the resources they need to put their lives back together.”

“Coloradans have shown time and again that they want to make our communities safer, and supporting crime victims is a critical part of that,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “With this measure, Coloradans will have the chance to vote to ensure victim services like youth behavioral health care and violence prevention are sustained for years to come. These programs are essential across the state and can help cut off the cycle of crime before it continues.”

“Survivors of domestic abuse face the challenges of navigating the legal system to seek justice, beginning the healing process, and obtaining safe housing and financial security,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Unfortunately the safety net services for survivors are desperately underfunded and facing drastic cuts in federal funding. Firearms play a significant role in these crimes. So we’re giving Colorado voters the option to create a small tax on the firearm industry that will boost funding for life-saving victim services.”

“With federal funding for the Victims of Crime Act to decrease in Colorado by 40 to 50 percent in the next year, it is so important we pass this measure to support victims of crime,” said Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora. “Many families in my community rely on services like housing support and legal advocacy as they navigate their painful ordeal – which is why I was proud to sponsor this legislation to create consistent funding for them.”

If approved by voters in the November 2024 election, HB24-1349 would create a new excise tax on gun dealers, gun manufacturers, and ammunition vendors beginning April 1, 2025. Revenue from the excise tax would be allocated in the following manner:
·        $30 million to the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund to provide grant funding for services such as: counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency hotel, utility, rental, and attorney expenses,
·        $8 million to the Behavioral Health Administration to provide crisis resolution services to youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and to provide mental health services for veterans, and
·        $1 million to support school safety.

Small businesses with less than $20,000 in annual retail sales and retail sales to peace officers, law enforcement agencies, and active duty military members would be exempt from the tax.

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Gov Signs Bills to Support New Immigrants, Streamline Their Driver’s License Process

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law to grant funding to community-based organizations that provide crucial services to new immigrants and streamline the process of receiving a driver’s license or state identification card for new immigrants.

“Diversity makes our Colorado communities stronger and we must set up new immigrants for success so they can create a better and safer life for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, sponsor of HB24-1280 and SB24-182. “By strengthening Colorado’s existing community-based resources and streamlining the eligibility process to receive a driver’s license, new immigrants will have a better chance of building a thriving life, just like the generations of immigrants before them did.”

“Colorado’s immigrant communities make our state stronger,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1280 “With the recent increase of new immigrants to our state, community organizations and local governments are struggling to keep up with the high demand for services. Increasing access to resources like employment and housing services will help new immigrants build successful lives in Colorado.”

“Colorado has seen a significant increase in new immigrants, and counties and organizations across the state are struggling to keep up with the demand for necessary services and resources,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1280. “Resources like referrals to housing, employment assistance, and school enrollment support have a significant impact on new residents achieving stability here. Our law aims to better support the good work that community organizations are already doing to aid new immigrants as they transition to life in Colorado.”

“Colorado has seen a recent influx of new immigrants, and they often arrive with very little and no knowledge or connections to help them integrate,” said Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, sponsor of HB24-1280. “This critical bill will better resource existing community-based organizations so they can support new immigrants and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in Colorado.”

HB24-1280 creates the Statewide Welcome, Reception, and Integration Grant Program to grant funds to community-based organizations that provide services to new immigrants within their first year in the United States. Grant money can be used for:
·        Conducting an intake and assessment of needs,
·        Providing cultural orientation and case management,
·        Services or referrals to employment services, immigration legal assistance, housing-related services, transportation services, financial orientation, mental and physical health services, interpretation and translation services, and English as a second language courses,
·        Distributing emergency and transitional supplies, and
·        Assisting new immigrant parents to enroll their kids in public schools or summer programs.

“For over a decade, I have worked to ensure immigrants have access to driver’s licenses,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-182. “I’m proud of our progress this year to remove barriers to these driver’s licenses – because it shouldn’t matter where you’re born, what matters is whether you know the rules of the road. Facilitating immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses will make us all safer – and I am proud to  have worked with law enforcement and immigrant rights organizations to pass this bill into law.”

“For undocumented people, the average wait time to get a driver's license is 12-30 months, yet they still need to drive to work or drive their kids to school,” said Rep. Tim Hernández, D-Denver. “This new law allows us to address the needs of newcomers that have been present for decades but have grown more pronounced with the recent arrival of migrants across the state. I’m thankful to have been a part of removing oppressive barriers for our community through this legislation.”

“Right now, undocumented folks must wait years to become eligible for a driver’s license. On top of that, it’s often difficult to obtain the particular kinds of identifying information needed to receive a license,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of SB24-182. “With this new law, we’re removing unnecessary barriers for folks that are on our roads anyway, which increases the number of licensed drivers with car insurance – ultimately lowering insurance costs for all Colroadans. The most important thing we can do is make sure everyone on our roads knows the rules of roads, has access to the insurance coverage they need, and is able to obtain state identification – and this law does just that.”

SB24-182 amends the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act to make it easier for new immigrants to obtain a driver's license or state identification card for residents who do not have legal resident status in the United States.

This law changes the requirements to receive a driver's license or state identification card by:
·        Removing a requirement to file a Colorado resident income tax return for the prior year,
·        Removing a requirement to demonstrate residence in the state for the previous two years,
·        Removing a requirement to provide a documented social security number or individual taxpayer identification number, and
·        Creating a process by which people without the required documentation can prove they are eligible by alternative means of documentation.

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SIGNED! New Law Will Improve Black Maternal Health Care Coverage

More than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable

DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed 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, and Representatives Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, requires large employer health benefit plans to cover doula services in alignment with Medicaid. The law also instructs 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) will contract with a Colorado perinatal care quality collaborative 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 law 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 signed today.” 

“Addressing the access gap in health care coverage is the first step we can take to reduce our country’s maternal mortality rate, which is far too high and disproportionately high for Black, American Indian and rural mothers,” said McLachlan. “To improve health outcomes for expecting mothers, including those in rural and remote areas, we need to ensure they have access to a range of perinatal care and that it’s covered by their insurance. I’m proud to have sponsored this law to keep expecting mothers and their newborns safe.”

“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.”

“As a new mother myself, I want the best possible outcomes for all expecting mothers. Yet, our country’s maternal mortality rate reflects a different reality, especially for Black mothers,” said Jodeh. “This law works to combat the maternal mortality rate by encouraging hospitals to focus on improving their maternal or infant health outcomes, expanding insurance coverage for doula services and improving health equity training for birthing health care providers.”

Under this law, CDPHE will 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, it 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 and more culturally informed care for historically marginalized communities.

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ICYMI: JOINT RELEASE: New Protections for Delivery Drivers Signed Into Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed HB24-1129 into law to create new protections for delivery drivers that will support hardworking people and build an economy that works for all Coloradans.

“Delivery apps have made big promises to Coloradans, including flexibility for workers and more choices for consumers. But too often hidden algorithms interfere with the worker autonomy that drivers in this industry so highly value,” said Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. “From misleading incentives to faulty tip information, big tech can use deceptive practices to pressure drivers to take low-paying offers, rather than paying what they're worth. This new law will improve transparency and fairness in Colorado law to provide drivers with the information they need and deserve to make free and informed decisions about their work.”

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

"App-based employment should not be excluded from the important protections that the labor movement has fought for to ensure the health and safety of Colorado workers," said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. "Over 60 percent of Denver delivery app drivers rely on gig work for their main source of income. This law will provide wage transparency to workers, ensure that they receive all tips paid by consumers, establish a fair reactivation process and improve safety on the job.”

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

HB24-1129, sponsored by Representatives Vigil and Mabrey, and Senators Hinrichsen and Priola, aims to improve wage and task transparency by requiring specific information to be shared with gig workers of delivery network companies (DNCs), providing workers with the ability to make more informed decisions about which tasks to accept. It also requires 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.

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SIGNED! Bill to Better Protect Bicyclists and Pedestrians Becomes Law

Legislation will fund infrastructure projects like bicycle lanes, improved sidewalks and lighting at dangerous intersections

DENVER, CO – Legislation that will fund safe infrastructure improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians was signed into law by Governor Polis today.

Sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, as well as Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, SB24-195 establishes a dedicated funding source for proven small infrastructure projects that improve safety for vulnerable road users, such as bicycle lanes, pedestrian refuge islands, and sidewalk and lighting improvements at dangerous intersections. 

The bill accomplishes these goals by dedicating $7 million annually from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Road Safety Fund for these projects, acknowledging the growing importance of this infrastructure in our transportation system. In addition, the bill directs CDOT to establish declining targets for vulnerable road user fatalities and serious bodily injuries and to report progress to the legislature in its annual performance plan. 

“Protecting Coloradans by preventing avoidable deaths and serious injuries is a moral imperative in its own right,” Winter said. “Quality sidewalks and protected bike lanes give people safe, dignified, and low-cost alternatives to driving, which will reduce traffic, improve air quality, cut climate pollution, and make our streets more vibrant community places.”

“From e-biking and running in our neighborhoods to walking to work, Coloradans want our streets to be a safe place to walk and ride,” said Lindsay. “Our new law helps communities use proven methods, like protected bike lanes and speed cameras, to protect cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users.”

“Bicyclist and pedestrian deaths have spiked to a frightening degree, and we must take action,” said Cutter. “Our new law will support safety projects that are proven to reduce traffic deaths. When our streets are safer and friendlier, people will feel more comfortable traveling outside of a car.”

“We have passed numerous laws recently to encourage alternatives to car transportation, and these laws are most effective when our roads are structured to protect all of our road users,” said Lindstedt. “With this new law, we’re securing funding for projects to protect bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users to allow Coloradans to more safely travel on our streets.”

SB24-195 also streamlines CDOT’s ability to use speed cameras to improve safety on dangerous stretches of state highways like construction zones by clarifying authority and coordination with local governments. Authority to use speed cameras was expanded by SB23-200 to help limit speeding, a major cause of avoidable traffic crashes. 

Deaths and serious injuries on Colorado’s roads are on the rise, felt most acutely by vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Bicyclist and pedestrian deaths reached an all-time high in 2023 with 153 deaths, topping the previous high set just one year before.

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ICYMI: Governor Signs Bills to Support Colorado Families

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of legislation that will improve maternal health care in Colorado and streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program.

HB24-1223, sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, and Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, increases access to childcare through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program by creating a simplified universal application and limiting the application information to only what is necessary to determine eligibility.

“Child care is critical to getting parents back into the workforce so they can earn income that helps them keep a roof over their head,” said Willford. “This legislation will connect Colorado parents to affordable child care so they can more easily advance in their career and support their family.”

“Navigating work, appointments, and day-to-day activities can be a challenge for young families, especially if they don’t have access to child care,” Cutter said. “HB-1223 will remove time-consuming, unnecessary information from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program application, making it easier for families to sign up and access the child care they need.”

“Lack of access to child care can be a barrier that prevents parents from returning to work, which is why we’re passing this legislation to simplify the process to receive child care assistance,” said Garcia. “HB24-1223 streamlines and simplifies the process parents have to take to benefit from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program so they can get their kids in affordable, quality care easier. I'm also proud that our legislation to address the maternal health crisis is now law after a report found that 89 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Colorado were deemed preventable, especially for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. This new law works to increase access to maternal care, including midwives, to provide trauma-informed care, safe transitions, and other wraparound services so pregnant Coloradans can receive the care they need.”

HB24-1262, also sponsored by Representative Garcia and Senator Michaelson Jenet, as well as Representative Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, requires collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period and mandates advance notice be given to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. 

“The maternal mortality crisis disproportionately impacts Black and immigrant communities, which is especially important to diverse families in my district,” said Buckner. “This law takes a holistic approach to addressing the crisis by increasing the number of maternal health care providers, collecting data on mistreatment, and studying the ways we can improve care.”

“As a new mom, I know how important it is to have quality health care providers by your side that will advocate for the best health outcomes for you and your baby,” said Jodeh. “Families should have the freedom to choose a health care provider that best fits their needs, especially for the Black and Indigenous Coloradans that are two to three times as likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth. This law will help improve Coloradans’ access to life-saving health care to keep Colorado families safe and healthy.”

“The bills signed into law will be huge for Colorado’s families,” Michaelson Jenet said. “We’re not only implementing measures to combat the maternal mortality crisis, but we’re also making it easier for families to access affordable child care when they get to that stage of life. These laws will save and improve lives – especially in historically marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by the maternal health crisis and child care deserts.”

The law also:

• Directs the Civil Rights Commission to collect reports of mistreatment in maternity care to help address prenatal mistreatment and discrimination;

• Adds a midwife who is practicing in a freestanding birth center, in a rural area, or as a home birth provider to the Environmental Justice Advisory Board;

• Requires a health care facility that provides maternal health care services to provide public notice at least 90 days before the discontinuation of these services;

• Requires the Colorado Maternal Mortality Prevention Program to study the availability of perinatal health care, facility and practice closures and the impacts on maternal and infant health, and provide recommendations to the General Assembly; and

• Adds pregnancy as a protected class for the purposes of discrimination in places of public accommodation.

The Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee made recommendations to combat the maternal mortality crisis, including increasing access to varied health care like midwifery, addressing maternal health workforce shortages, and studying the impact of facility shortages on Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, rural, and immigrant and refugee communities.

A 2022 report found that 38 percent of Colorado counties are a maternal health care desert, meaning they don’t have perinatal health care providers or birth centers. A 2023 report found that Black Coloradans are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or within one year postpartum, while Indigenous Coloradans are three times as likely.

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ICYMI: JOINT RELEASE: New Law to Improve Concealed Carry Training Signed

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed HB24-1174, which improves concealed carry permit training to encourage responsible gun ownership, reduce gun violence and keep Coloradans safe.

“States that have eliminated their live-fire training requirements to receive a concealed carry permit saw a 32 percent increase in gun assaults,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives. This important legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities.”

“Responsible gun ownership takes work,” Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, 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.”

“When I received my concealed carry permit years ago, I was surprised to learn that Colorado law did not require live-fire training, a necessary skill to have before carrying a gun in public spaces," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "This law creates a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Our commonsense gun violence prevention legislation works to prevent senseless gun deaths by improving firearm training.”

HB24-1174, sponsored by House Majority Leader Duran and Representative Snyder, and Senator Mullica, requires handgun training classes to include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam with a minimum passing score. It also requires handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on the safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms 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.

HB24-1174 also prohibits 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 makes 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.

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Polis Signs Legislation Regulating Prone Restraint

DENVER, CO – On Monday, Governor Polis signed HB24-1372 into law. Sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, and Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, the new law defines the practice of “prone restraint,” and requires all law enforcement agencies in Colorado to create and adopt policies for the use of prone restraint that meet a common baseline. 

The new law requires agencies to train their officers on those policies, publish the policies on their websites, and update them every five years to align with best practices. HB24-1372 also creates individual liability for peace officers who misuse the tactic, which aligns with SB20-217. Colorado joins a handful of states in regulating the potentially dangerous technique.

“This is an important continuation of the police accountability work we’ve been doing at the Colorado State Capitol since the deaths of Elijah McClain and George Floyd,” said Herod. “Too many people in Colorado and across the country, particularly in Black and Brown communities, have lost their lives when peace officers inappropriately deploy prone restraint. This law will save lives.”

“Health and safety are of primary importance - for the person who’s being restrained by law enforcement, for the peace officer themselves, and for the general public,” Fields said. “We set a shared baseline for training on the use of prone restraint, including the requirement that the detained individual be immediately moved to a recovery position so they can breathe normally. We want everyone to leave these encounters alive.”

“We defined prone restraint as a use of physical force, so it follows that the force used can either be appropriate or excessive,” said Woodrow. “If a jury finds an officer’s use of force to be excessive, then the criminal and civil liability structures already in law can apply and officers can be held fully accountable.”

“For too many years, relationships between law enforcement and community have been strained. Trust must be rebuilt,” said Gonzales. “For that to happen, we need policies in place to assure all Coloradans will be treated fairly and respectfully when encountered by law enforcement. We know that the majority of peace officers strive for that. The passage of HB24-1372 improves expectations and creates accountability for those who may not.”

The bill sponsors thank the many community members and advocacy organizations who helped shape the legislation and supported it throughout the process; particularly, Mrs. Sheneen McClain, Ms. Shataeah Kelly, and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.

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ICYMI: Gov Signs Bill to Boost Colorado’s Workforce

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation to strengthen our workforce and reduce recidivism by ensuring Coloradans involved with the justice system can re-enter the workforce, acquire professional credentials, support their families, and succeed in their careers.

“This legislation is crucial in bridging the gap between workforce shortages and Coloradans involved with the justice system who are trying to break their way out of cycles of incarceration,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Current Colorado law makes it difficult for Coloradans with criminal records to qualify for certain careers, reducing their ability to find a good-paying job. With this legislation, we’re streamlining the process for Coloradans to make it easier for them to successfully re-enter our communities and to reduce recidivism.”

“Coloradans who have a criminal record face significant barriers to entry when looking for jobs, which makes it harder to break the cycle of incarceration and rebuild their lives,” Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, said. “This new law aims to break down those barriers and make it easier for formerly incarcerated Coloradans to re-enter their communities and find a good-paying job that supports them and their families.”

“We’re committed to addressing workforce shortages in critical industries, which is why we passed this legislation to make it easier for people who have been involved with the justice system to qualify for careers in sectors that are crucial for our economy,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “We’re committed to keeping Coloradans safe, and this law helps more people enter the workforce while prioritizing public safety. With this legislation, previously incarcerated Coloradans will have an easier path to success and industries will have more qualified candidates to choose from to fill job vacancies.”

HB24-1004 establishes a uniform process for considering criminal records in occupational registration, certification, and licensure applications. The law includes a wide range of careers, from the construction and banking industries to IT. It prohibits regulators from automatically refusing to grant or renew a license based on an applicant’s criminal record unless the applicant’s conviction is directly related to a specific element of the occupation and is still relevant at the time of an individual’s application.

Representatives Bacon and Bird and Senator Coleman passed a 2022 law to ensure that when pursuing a credential, applicants were only denied based on their criminal history if that history would hinder their ability to do their job safely and competently.

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Governor Signs Bill to Uncover and Define Systemic Racial Inequities in Colorado

New law establishes a study on the impacts of systemic racism on Black Coloradans

DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed into law legislation to create a study examining racial disparities and the impact of systemic racism on Black Coloradans.

Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, and Representatives Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, SB24-053 creates the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission to determine and make recommendations surrounding the lasting effects of systemic racism in Colorado’s practices, systems, and policies.

“Black Coloradans have been living with the impacts of systemic and historic racism – and the structural inequities that have resulted from it – for decades,” Coleman said. “Studying that painful legacy is the first step towards addressing it, and will give us a deeper understanding of the impacts of past and current racial discrimination and policies on our community. This is an important opportunity for our state, and I am looking forward to continuing this conversation so we can begin to repair the damage and create a better and more equitable future for all Black Coloradans.”

“Generations of systemic racism cannot be eliminated by a few policy changes – we need data-driven research to define the structural inequities Black Coloradans are still experiencing to this day,” said Herod. “From redlining to limited educational opportunities, we know Black Coloradans have combated blatant discrimination and racism for decades. This important, community led legislation will help Colorado develop a deeper understanding of the impacts of past and current racial inequities and give us the tools we need to craft forward-thinking policy that will support Black Coloradans into the future.”

“Uncovering the historical harm done against Black Coloradans is an important step forward in our healing and creating a more equitable future for us all,” said Ricks. “This new law instructs History Colorado to research decades of systemic inequalities in our schools, our neighborhoods and in statewide policies that will help us better understand their lasting impacts on Black Coloradans today. While painful, this racial equity study will help us craft future policies that uplift Black families instead of putting barriers in front of them.”

SB24-053 establishes a commission to direct History Colorado to conduct historical research across areas like economic mobility, housing, K-12 education, health care and the criminal justice system. Racial equity studies can be used as tools to qualify and quantify past discrimination and recommend certain corrective measures.

The study will also include an economic impact analysis of the racial discrimination determined by the study. Under the new law, History Colorado will submit the study to the commission and any recommendations within two-and-a-half years. The work of the commission and the study will rely on receiving adequate gifts, grants, and donations to fund it.

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Bill to Extend I Matter Youth Mental Health Program Signed Into Law

Youth mental health services program was set to expire this month

DENVER, CO – Governor Polis today signed legislation into law to continue the first-of-its-kind I Matter youth mental health program.

I Matter connects K-12 students with a therapist for up to six free virtual counseling sessions, but the program was set to repeal on June 30th, 2024. Sponsored by Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Representatives Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City, SB24-001 continues the I Matter program for another ten years, ensuring Colorado students can continue receiving quality mental health care at no cost to them or their families.

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

“With the signing of this bill, we’re ensuring our youth can continue to have access to no-cost therapy when they need it through the landmark I Matter Program,” said Brown. “Over the years, the I Matter Program has connected over 11,000 kids to therapeutic services for anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and other mental health challenges. Programs like I Matter remove barriers to access and help our youth receive the behavioral and mental care they need.” 

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

“A child's access to mental health services shouldn't depend on their parent's income. By extending the I Matter Program, we’re doubling down on our commitment to ensure our youth can receive the behavioral and mental health care they need,” said Rutinel. “No-cost therapy breaks down access barriers for youth and their families. Since its introduction, the I Matter Program has provided more than 50,000 essential therapy sessions – this law continues this successful, important program to ensure we’re addressing the needs of our youth.”

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

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Governor Signs Bills to Increase Federal Funds for Nutrition Support, Save Coloradans Money on Prescription Drugs

DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis signed two pieces of bipartisan legislation that will save Coloradans money on prescription drugs and help fund housing and nutrition services for those on Medicaid.

SB24-110, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Representatives Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Emily Sirota, D-Denver, prohibits the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing from requiring prior authorization for an antipsychotic prescription drug used to treat a mental illness or disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

“The two bills signed into law today will make life more affordable for families I represent in Denver,” Rodriguez said. “SB-110 removes barriers to prior authorization requirements so that more Coloradans will be able to access the antipsychotic prescription drugs they need to thrive, while HB-1322 will redirect Medicaid funds to housing and nutrition programs. Together, these laws will support Coloradans – especially those from historically marginalized communities.”

“Authorization requirements for antipsychotic medications are forcing patients to ration their prescriptions or skip doses entirely, which can be challenging for their recovery,” said Amabile. “This law removes unnecessary authorization requirements for some antipsychotic medications so Coloradans with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders can receive their medications when they need them.”

“Many Coloradans with a serious mental health condition don’t have access to specific prescription medication when they need it due to prior authorization requirements,” said Sirota. “This law removes barriers and improves access so Coloradans can receive their antipsychotic prescription on time.”

HB24-1322, sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and also Rodriguez and Kirkmeyer, lays the groundwork for redirecting federal Medicaid funds to help Colorado families access nutritious food options and secure housing. This legislation will 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 this law, we’re one step closer to securing additional federal funds to help with rental assistance, pantry stocking, and nutrition support that will strengthen our communities,” said Bird. “Everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and a roof over their heads. This law will help and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors, such as youth transitioning out of foster care or older adults seeking nutrition assistance.”

“By leveraging federal funds for nutrition and housing support, Colorado can help meet the diverse needs of families in our state,” said Brown. “This law allows Colorado to access Medicaid funding for housing and nutrition programs for existing Medicaid patients,helping someone afford their rent or put food on the table. This law saves Coloradans money by leveraging federal dollars and ensures our most vulnerable neighbors are set up to thrive.”

The new law directs 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 determines 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.  

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SIGNED! Legislation to Create a Sickle Cell Outreach Program Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed into law legislation that will provide outreach and support to Coloradans living with sickle cell disease.

Sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, and Representative Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, and Assistant House Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, SB24-042 will create the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to provide support to individuals living with sickle cell disease. Outreach and support services will be administered by a nonprofit organization contracted through CDPHE.

“Sickle cell disease is a debilitating condition that takes a toll on an individual’s health and quality of life,” said Fields. “Worse, we see disproportionately high rates of sickle cell disease in Black communities. This important program will provide critical outreach to individuals living with sickle cell disease to help connect folks to supportive health care and community services, and will help address long-standing health inequities that remain far too prevalent in marginalized communities across our state.”

“Sickle cell disease can cause blockages in a person’s small blood vessels and be incredibly painful if left untreated,” said English. “This law establishes the new, Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program, to provide critical outreach and support to Coloradans living with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black communities and this new outreach program will help bridge the gap between needed health care and access to care experienced by marginalized communities. I am proud to carry this legislation forward because it will improve health outcomes for so many in our state.”

“Arie P. Taylor was a trailblazer as Colorado's first female Black representative,” Buckner said. “Creating this program in her name honors her legacy and ensures communities she represented have the support they need to thrive – just as Ms. Taylor envisioned. I’m proud to see this bill get signed into law and I look forward to seeing how the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program will support individuals and families and ultimately, change lives.”

“Long-standing inequities in our health care system have left many Black Coloradans without access to the care they need, let alone specialized care,” said Bacon. “This new law would establish the Arie P. Taylor Sickle Cell Disease Outreach Program to connect people living with sickle cell disease with resources and support. Sickle cell disease is genetic, and unfortunately, the rates have been much higher among Black communities. Named after Colorado’s first Black female legislator, the new program honors Ms. Taylor’s legacy by providing individualized support to our community and works to bridge the gap in health care access.”

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells that carry oxygen to stick together after the oxygen is released, causing blockages in the small blood vessels, anemia, and severe pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), sickle cell disease occurs among about one out of every 365 Black or African-American births and occurs among about one out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births.

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Gov Signs Family Affordability Tax Credit, Bill to Support the Care Workforce

Laws will slash childhood poverty, boost incomes of middle and lower-income Coloradans, and boost the care worker workforce

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed two bills into law that will create the Family Affordability Tax Credit to boost the incomes of hardworking Colorado families and create a state income tax credit for care workers to address the care worker workforce shortage.

Beginning tax year 2024, HB24-1311 creates the refundable Family Affordability Tax Credit. This credit will be available to parents with children 16 and younger with a maximum of $3,200 for each child under 6, and a maximum of $2,400 for each child ages 6 to 16. The credit will be adjusted for income, inflation, economic growth, and unemployment.

“This historic effort will significantly reduce childhood poverty in Colorado, boost the incomes of hardworking families, and help millions of Coloradans who are feeling the greatest impacts of the cost of living in our state,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, sponsor of HB24-1311. “Tax credit policies that benefit children and families, who could see up to thousands of dollars back under this law, will ensure our tax code works for more Coloradans and help address childhood poverty. I’m proud to have carried this law to help Coloradans afford essentials like rent payments and groceries and boost the incomes of thousands of families across the state.”

“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 Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield. “It’s no understatement to say that this is one of the more impactful pieces of legislation we’ll pass this year. I am extremely pleased to see this bill get signed into law, because it will cut child poverty in half while making it that much easier for working families to get by in our state.”

“There are over 133,000 Colorado kids living in poverty, and this law, coupled with the Earned Income Tax Credit, will dramatically cut our child poverty rate,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1311. “These tax credits boost the incomes of our lower and middle-income families so they can keep their children safe and healthy by accessing quality health care, school supplies, and fresh food. Our law will increase tax credits for Colorado parents and put millions of dollars back into the pockets of families with children.”

“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 bill will provide direct relief for families in our community while making our tax code more equitable, and will help give more Colorado families the resources they need to thrive.”

The Governor also signed HB24-1312 which creates a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages. Taxpayers must have an income of $75,000 or less for single filers or $100,000 or less for joint filers to be eligible for this state income tax credit.

“Care workers are essential in providing care to our loved ones like our children and our parents, and they often do not receive the benefits and recognition they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This workforce is critical in supporting Coloradans in all industries and they are a crucial component of a thriving economy. This tax credit will allow us to recruit and retain these important care workers while boosting their incomes by over a thousand dollars so they can better afford their bills while staying in the care worker industry.”

“Robust access to care work increases workforce participation, creates better care for those receiving it, and supports the emotional and physical health of family members who are providing unpaid care work,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Care workers are essential but aren’t treated that way. This new law is an important first step to valuing care work appropriately in Colorado.”

“Whether you receive support after an accident or have someone who helps your aging relatives, we have all benefited from the work and support that care workers provide,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “This law is a small token of appreciation that we can give care workers, especially our Family, Friend and Neighbor child care providers, so they can continue the important work that they do and encourage our care workforce to grow.”

“Forty percent of Colorado’s care workers rely on public assistance – we must do more to support them,” said Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1312. “HB-1312 supports the care workforce across their entire lifetimes and provides economic support to all care workers, not just one group. This law will have far-reaching positive impacts on both the stability of this industry and the well-being of Colorado’s families, communities and economy.”

For tax years 2025 through 2028, this law creates a refundable state income tax credit of $1,200 for:
·        Direct care workers who are employed by a long-term care employer or provide community-based services and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year,
·        Child care workers who are employed or licensed by an early childhood education program or a licensed family child care home and provided at least 720 hours of care in the relevant tax year, or
·        Informal family, friend, or neighbor child care providers who provided at least 720 hours of care to children 5 and under, and are registered with the Department of Early Childhood’s Professional Development Information System.

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Prescription Label Accessibility for Blind Coloradans Signed into Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans. HB24-1115 is sponsored by Representatives Mary Young and Junie Joseph and Senate President Steve Fenberg.

“The information on prescription labels provides important details that enable patients to safely and effectively take medication – we need to ensure blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans can readily access this information,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “If you can’t access the label of your prescription medication, it could lead to negative health consequences, even death. This law allows Coloradans to have agency over their health care by making sure prescription labels are accessible for blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans.”

“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 Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “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 new law will help blind, visually impaired, and print disabled Coloradans stay healthy and safe while maintaining their independence.”

“Prescription labels outline important information related to dosage and frequency, and this law makes labels more accessible to blind or visually and print-impaired Coloradans,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “Our law will increase reading accessibility of prescription labels so that blind, and visually impaired Coloradans can access the live-saving information they need. We’re committed to improving accessibility throughout our state, and this law tackles prescription labels as an important part of that effort.”

HB24-1115 will require a pharmacy to provide blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans with access to prescription drug label information. The law requires pharmacies to, upon request, provide patients 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.

The law also allows Colorado patients to sue non-compliant pharmacies on the basis of disability discrimination, and creates the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program to provide grants to pharmacies for the purchase of equipment used to create accessible prescription labels.

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Gov. Polis Signs Bill to Increase Availability of Telehealth Services

FRISCO, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to increase access to telehealth services in rural and underserved areas, and to better combat cardiac disease.

“Coloradans in my district know firsthand how challenging and expensive it can be to access critical health care services,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “During my time in the legislature, I’ve worked hard to deliver high-quality, affordable health care services to underserved and rural areas and this law expands access to remote health services and continuous glucose monitors, which have proven to be successful at ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right place, at the right time and save so much money in the long-run.”

“Expanding access to health care is critical, especially in our rural and mountain communities,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “My family lives with diabetes, and continuous glucose monitors have made living with this disease better for all of us and ensured strong health outcomes for my husband. To help ensure everyone has access to the health care they need when they need it, our law works to expand and encourage telehealth options. This new law also establishes a grant program to help our hospitals and providers implement telehealth technology and better serve our community members.”

“For many of the residents living in my district, the nearest hospital is miles and miles away, making it hard to receive high-quality health care when they need it,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez. “This law expands telehealth services into rural and underserved communities like mine so everyone can access the treatment and care needed to live a healthy life. Our bipartisan law also creates a rural-specific grant program to help our health care providers locate and implement telehealth technology in their practice.”

Also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, SB24-168 will direct the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to reimburse the use of telehealth monitoring for outpatient services for Medicaid patients and provide coverage for continuous glucose monitoring devices. Additionally, the new law will create a grant program to assist rural and shortage area providers in obtaining remote telehealth monitoring equipment. Funds from the grant program could also be used for training staff on utilizing remote monitoring equipment.

Governor Polis also signed HB24-1219, sponsored by Speaker McCluskie, Representative Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, and Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Byron Pelton, R-Sterling. This new law aims to detect cardiac disease and symptoms early and help save lives. Specifically, this law expands eligibility for required firefighter heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to include part-time and volunteer firefighters, requires employers to participate in the multi-employer cancer trust, and creates a cardiac screening trust for peace officers.

“Cardiac disease impacts so many Colorado families and early detection can save lives,” said Speaker McCluskie. “Minority Leader McKean was a great leader who left us too soon. In his honor, we will continue to fight against cardiac disease, save lives and work toward a brighter future that he can be proud of.”

“Diagnosing cardiac disease early on can lead to better prognoses, more effective treatment, and can save lives,” said Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton. “By expanding eligibility for cardiac benefits programs to first responders like firefighters and peace officers, we’re taking better care of the folks that take care of our communities. This new law will help reduce the risks of life-threatening cardiac disease and support the well-being of our communities – I’m proud to see it signed into law.”

In 2022, House Minority Leader Hugh McKean passed away after expressing concern about pain on the left side of his body. McKean was 55 years old.

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New Law Will Preserve Housing Coloradans Can Afford

HB24-1175 gives local governments the right of first refusal to buy existing affordable housing when a building or complex is up for sale

BROOMFIELD, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to give local governments the right of first refusal to purchase existing subsidized housing and preserve Colorado’s limited affordable housing stock.

“With rising rents pricing Coloradans out of their communities, local governments need additional tools to help them preserve existing affordable housing options that work for everyday Coloradans,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “Our new law will allow local governments to purchase and preserve affordable housing properties that were made possible by the investment of public dollars. With this legislation, we can maintain and expand affordable housing options in our communities and ease Colorado’s housing crisis.”

“Whether it’s Broomfield or Berthoud, housing is a top concern for Coloradans,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield. “This year, we’re tackling Colorado’s housing crisis from all angles. By giving local governments an additional tool to preserve affordable housing stock, Coloradans will be better positioned to find housing options that fit their budget.”

“Our law is one of many steps that Colorado Democrats are taking to combat housing instability and displacement,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “We need a multi-faceted approach to address our affordable housing shortage, which is why we passed legislation to create new tools for local governments that keep existing affordable housing properties in the rental market.”

“Colorado is in the midst of a housing crisis and we must do everything we can to help renters and homeowners,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. “By giving local governments the chance to make the first offer and create new affordable housing stock, we can ensure more Coloradans – especially lower income families – have an affordable place they can call home.”

Many affordable housing buildings are sold and converted to higher priced market-rate units once the affordability restrictions expire. The right of first refusal gives local governments the right to purchase an existing affordable multi-family residential or mixed-use rental property with at least five units if they match any offers that the seller receives and continue to use the property for long-term affordable housing. Under HB24-1175, owners would be required to notify local governments two years before affordability restrictions expire to allow time for governments to plan in case that property hits the market.  

For non-subsidized multifamily properties, the law gives local governments the right of first offer before the property is listed for sale. This applies to buildings more than 30 years old with 15 to 100 units. If interested, the local government must respond within seven days and may request additional information, with the seller having five days to comply and the local government another 14 days to make an offer. Accepted offers would lead to a 30-day negotiation period and a 60-day closing period.

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