Bipartisan Laws to Save Coloradans Money Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO - On August 7, two bipartisan bills will go into effect to extend funding to the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program and create more affordable child care opportunities.

“Opportunity Now grants have fostered transformative changes for Colorado’s workforce, encouraged job growth and supported rural and mountain communities like mine in Northwestern Colorado,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “This bipartisan law outlines the final round of funding for the grant program and has an important focus on the construction and building trades. We’re working hard to meet our workforce needs and that begins with helping Coloradans secure good-paying jobs in growing industries.”

“Opportunity is a core Colorado value, and every Coloradan should have the opportunity to earn a good life," said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. "That opportunity often starts with a good education, one that's aligned with good-paying jobs in a person's community. Making sure what schools teach matches what businesses need is exactly what the Opportunity Now grant does, leading to better wages for workers, a well-trained workforce for our employers, and a stronger Colorado economy for everyone."

HB24-1365, also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, supports the fourth and final round of the successful Opportunity Now Colorado grant. The goal of this law is to connect more Coloradans with in-demand, high-wage careers, specifically in the construction, infrastructure and building trades.  

This law also establishes the Regional Talent Summit Grant Program, which helps Coloradans find in-demand careers in their communities. It also introduces a workforce shortage tax credit to help with facility and equipment upgrades needed for training in new, emerging fields, leveraging federal investments outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act and others.

The Opportunity Now grant program has awarded $27 million to 46 grantees representing 145 businesses and 78 education partners in 38 different industries.

“Increasing affordable child care options will save Colorado families money and make it easier for new families to return to the workforce and support our thriving economies,” continued Rep. Lukens. “This bipartisan legislation will make it easier to build new child care facilities and find safe ways to reuse existing spaces to boost child care options for Colorado families.”

“I’m proud that our bipartisan legislation to increase affordable child care options is going into effect,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “Quality, affordable child care is essential to support Colorado’s workforce, and by providing funding to develop new and convert existing spaces into childcare centers, we can offer more options to Colorado families.”

HB24-1237, also sponsored by Representative Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, and Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, will help reduce costs for developing child care facilities by providing technical planning, building, construction, and development support to increase child care providers.

Specifically, this legislation creates the framework to provide planning and capital grants and technical support for local governments, institutions of higher education, public schools, employers, private partners, and builders, to support the development of licensed child care facilities and providers.

Bills to Improve Prescription Label Accessibility, Boost Behavioral Health Care Workforce Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO - On August 7, two new laws go into effect which will make prescription drug labels more accessible to blind, visually impaired and print-impaired Coloradans, and will expand access to behavioral health care in Colorado.

“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, sponsor of HB24-1115. “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, sponsor of HB24-1115. “Our law will increase reading accessibility of prescription labels so that blind, and visually impaired Coloradans can access the live-saving and critical 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 permits a pharmacy 28 days to provide a specific method of access that they have not yet utilized, if requested by a patient. Additionally, it creates the Prescription Accessibility Grant Program to provide grants to pharmacies for the purchase of equipment used to create accessible prescription labels.

“With this law going into effect, we’re boosting Colorado’s behavioral health care workforce,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1002. “Social workers are critical to the success of our state’s overall behavioral health care system, and we must do everything we can to attract and retain these skilled professionals. By creating a social work licensure compact, already licensed social workers can begin practicing in Colorado more quickly to give Coloradans the whole-person behavioral healthcare they need and deserve.”

“The need for social workers in Colorado is clear, so we are working to break down barriers and allow more skilled professionals to join our workforce,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, sponsor of HB24-1002. “When we support the behavioral health care needs of Coloradans, it’s a win-win for the safety of our communities and our economy.”

“We need to use every tool available to us to improve behavioral health care access for Coloradans,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, sponsor of HB24-1002. “This law makes it easier for licensed social workers in participating states to begin working in Colorado, which is particularly helpful for military spouses who often relocate. With this law going into effect, we’re removing barriers to entering Colorado’s behavioral health care workforce and streamlining care for Coloradans across the state.”

HB24-1002 creates new pathways for out-of-state social workers to gain professional licensure to practice in Colorado. Also sponsored by Senator Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction, this bipartisan law creates the "Social Work Licensure Compact", which creates an agreement between Colorado and six other states where licensed social workers in member states can obtain and easily transfer a license from another member state.

New Laws to Support Rural Health Care, Increase Availability of Telehealth Services Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 7, two laws to support rural health care and increase the availability of telehealth services in rural and underserved areas will go into effect.

SB24-055, sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, improves access to behavioral health care in rural Colorado by creating a new Agricultural and Rural Community Behavioral Health program that will work to better connect farmers, ranchers, and their families to behavioral health care. The program will partner with the Behavioral Health Administration, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and stakeholders to work directly with behavioral health care providers and liaisons to provide support to agricultural industry workers and 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,” said Marchman. “Everyone deserves to have behavioral health care created by and for their own communities. This new law will bolster our ongoing efforts to close the rural mental health gap, and ultimately help save lives across our state.”

“Coloradans living in rural and mountain communities, like mine, deserve access to high-quality health care – including mental and behavioral health care,” said Lukens. “We’re taking steps to expand mental health care support for our farmers and ranchers in their communities. Mental health matters in every corner of our state, and this new law will improve access, outreach, and connection for our farmers and ranchers to receive the behavioral health care they need.”

Also sponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, and Representative Anthony Hartsook, R-Parker, SB24-055 establishes a working group and centralizes existing grant programs within the Colorado Department of Agriculture to better address the root causes of behavioral health issues in rural and agricultural communities.

Farmers, ranchers, and those in the agriculture industry currently rank fourth in the state for the highest suicide rate. This law aims to connect farmers and ranchers with tailored behavioral health care resources.

Sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, SB24-168 directs the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to reimburse the use of telehealth remote monitoring for outpatient services for Medicaid patients and provide coverage for continuous glucose monitoring devices. Also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, the new law creates 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.

“Expanding access to health care is critical, especially in our rural and mountain communities,” said McCluskie. “Members of my family live 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.”

“Coloradans in my district know firsthand how challenging and expensive it can be to access critical health care services,” said Roberts. “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.”

“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 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 remote monitoring technology in their practice.”

New Law Goes Into Effect to 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

DENVER, CO - On August 7, legislation goes into effect 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. “With our new law going into effect, local governments will now be able to purchase and preserve affordable housing properties that were made possible by the investment of public dollars. This legislation better allows us to 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 Senator 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 and attainable for Coloradans.”

“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 rental properties, the law gives local governments the right of first offer before the property is listed for sale. This right applies to buildings more than 30 years old with 15 to 100 units, and the property must be used as long-term affordable housing. If interested, the local government must respond within seven days of receiving notice of intent to sell from the seller 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.

Bipartisan Laws to Promote Effective Water Management Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan laws to promote effective water management will go into effect on August 7.

SB24-005, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Representatives Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, and Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, promotes water-wise landscaping by prohibiting the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plant species, and artificial turf in any newly developed commercial, institutional, industrial, and state property. It also applies to other little-used areas like parking lots and medians. This will help the environment not only by saving water, but by reducing reliance on pesticides and gas powered lawn equipment, while opening up space for native plants that naturally survive in Colorado’s climate and support our local birds and bees.

“Water is Colorado’s most precious natural resource and as we face an uncertain future with ongoing drought and more demands, we must continue to act to secure our state’s water future,” said Roberts, sponsor of SB24-005 and SB24-197. "This year, we took steps to reduce unnecessary landscape water usage, implement the Colorado River Drought Task Force’s recommendations, and address the challenges to our water supply head-on. As these laws take effect, they position Colorado as a leader in effective water management, and help ensure the protection of the Colorado River and all our critical water resources."

“With this law, we're cutting back on unnecessary water usage on nonfunctional turf used in medians, greenways and parking lots,” said McCormick, sponsor of SB24-005. “Water-wise landscaping conserves our precious water resources and encourages communities to embrace Colorado's natural landscapes. Our law sets us on a path forward to more effectively manage and preserve the water we all rely on.”

“Cutting back on the amount of water we use on nonfunctional turf will help us conserve our precious water resources across the state,” said McLachlan, sponsor of SB24-005. “This law helps us effectively and efficiently manage our water resources by encouraging water-wise landscaping on little-used areas like parking lots and medians. We're stepping up to conserve water while embracing the native plants and species that thrive in Colorado."

Outdoor watering of landscaping uses about half of all municipal water. Much of this is used to grow non-native turf grass, which requires large amounts of water to thrive. While some turf is used for parks, sports fields, and yards, much of it serves no community purpose, such as highway frontages and strips alongside industrial properties. The state has supported turf replacement as a key tool for water conservation, and now this bill focuses on limiting its installation in the first place.

Also sponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, SB24-005 encourages developers, city planners, and managers to choose plants that thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, as opposed to non-native, water-intensive plants such as Kentucky bluegrass or invasive species.

Sponsored by Roberts and Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, SB24-197 improves Colorado’s water supply by implementing several recommendations made by the Colorado River Drought Task Force.

“Securing Colorado's water future is paramount. This law strategically implements recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force to protect the Colorado way of life,” said McCluskie, sponsor of SB24-197. “Worsening drought conditions have jeopardized Colorado’s water future, and this bipartisan legislation works to address some of the challenges facing our water supply while preserving it for our state’s agriculture, outdoor recreation and household needs. I’m committed to tackling Colorado’s water supply challenges head-on, while working alongside our agriculture and coal-transition communities, to protect our water for generations to come.”

Also sponsored by Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, and Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, the law implements recommendations including:

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

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

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

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

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

New Laws to Protect Homeowners in Metro Districts, Prevent HOA Foreclosures Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO - Two new laws go into effect on August 7. HB24-1267 creates clear policies and procedures for metropolitan districts to abide by, improving accountability and consistency when enforcing their policies on homeowners. HB24-1337 protects homeowners’ association (HOA) residents against having to pay excessive attorney fees that can result from enforcement actions against unit owners and creates new safeguards against foreclosure.

“Metro districts are a tool used to help keep up with the increasing demand for housing in our communities, and we must ensure that homeowners in these districts are protected from preventable foreclosures and hefty legal fees when conflict arises,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1267 and HB24-1337. “Like HOAs, metro districts may conduct design review and covenant enforcement, unfortunately leading to some homeowners being foreclosed on due to fines and fees over decisions like the material used for their roof. Our new laws will encourage metro districts and homeowners to work together to settle disputes to avoid unnecessary foreclosures and ensure that Coloradans won’t be on the hook for paying exorbitant attorneys fees racked up by HOAs.”

“Keeping families housed is a key priority of mine,” said Senate President Pro Tempore James Coleman, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1267 and HB24-1337. “A lack of transparency and confusing, hard-to-follow rules in metro districts and HOAs alike can saddle homeowners with large fines and make it hard for folks to stay in their homes. These new laws will give homeowners greater agency and protection from foreclosure to keep more Colorado families housed.”

“Housing affordability is a serious issue for Coloradans. Foreclosures due to unreasonable HOA repayment requirements threaten housing security for thousands of families,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1267 and HB24-1337. "Our law will create a right of redemption, allowing Colorado homeowners the right to purchase the property back rather than watching their home and hard-earned equity go to the highest bidder for pennies on the dollar. Another law also goes into effect that will require greater transparency from metro districts when they enforce their policies on residents, preventing homeowners from having their house foreclosed on due to unpaid fines and fees resulting from covenant enforcement, keeping Coloradans housed.”

“Metro districts can be an important tool in helping create more badly-needed housing for our communities – but too often homeowners in metro districts face entirely preventable foreclosures,” said Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1267. “By creating more avenues for dispute resolution and creating clearer rules and practices, we can help ensure a fair process for foreclosures and keep more of our neighbors in their homes.”

Beginning August 7, 2024, HB24-1267 prohibits a metro district from foreclosing on a lien based on a resident’s delinquent fees or other charges owed to the metro district. It will also require metro districts to create rules and guidelines that they must comply with when conducting covenant enforcement and design review, including establishing a fair process that gives an owner notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

HB24-1267 also protects residents’ property rights by allowing them to display flags and signs, modify their property to accommodate a person with a disability, park an emergency vehicle in a driveway, remove vegetation for fire mitigation purposes, use a rain barrel, operate a family child care home or install renewable energy devices such as solar panels.

Currently, homeowners associations (HOAs) can require a homeowner to reimburse the HOAs for collection costs and attorney fees without starting a legal proceeding. HB24-1337 would limit the reimbursement amount for attorney fees to 50 percent of the underlying payment owed or $5,000, whichever is less. The bill also prohibits foreclosing on a lien if the homeowner is in a bankruptcy civil action or if the homeowner is in compliance with a payment plan to pay off the collection owed. It also requires the HOA to take specific actions before foreclosing on a home, ensuring foreclosure is the last resort.

“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.”

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 is transferred, which will help keep wealth in families and communities.

New Gun Violence Prevention Laws Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 7, legislation will go into effect to combat gun violence by improving concealed carry permit training, boosting the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s ability to address illegal firearm activities, and making it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns.

HB24-1174, sponsored by House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, Representative Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, 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, federal and state firearm laws, interactions with law enforcement, and more.

“We all share a common goal of keeping illegal guns out of our communities, which is why I’m proud that two of my laws to ensure the safety of our loved ones and neighbors are going into effect,” said Duran, sponsor of HB24-1174 and SB24-003. “The data is clear - live-fire gun training can save lives. Our new legislation will ensure that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained before they bring their firearm into their communities. Additionally, SB24-003 uplifts our past work and reflects our commitment to keeping our communities safe by ensuring law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to investigate illegal firearm activity.”

“Responsible gun ownership takes work,” said Mullica. “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 Snyder. "Our new law will create a minimum requirement for concealed carry permit holders, including in-person live-fire training with a certified firearms instructor, to ensure that concealed carry permits are issued with appropriate training. Many dedicated and qualified firearm instructors already exceed the minimum requirements in this law, and this law will close that gap to ensure that everyone who applies for a concealed carry permit has proper training. This commonsense gun violence prevention legislation will help prevent senseless gun deaths by improving firearm training.”

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 law 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.

Sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, Majority Leader Duran, and Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, SB24-003 gives the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the ability to investigate illegal activity involving firearms. The law appropriates $1.7 million to the Department of Public Safety to create a team that investigates individuals convicted of felonies who are attempting to illegally purchase a firearm, and other illegal firearm crimes such as possession of a ghost gun.

“This year we’re creating safer communities across Colorado by improving CBI’s authority and ability to more effectively investigate illegal firearms purchases and transfers, purchases of illegal components and ghost guns, and information obtained through tip lines such as suspected straw purchases,” said Sullivan, sponsor of SB24-003 and SB24-066. “Additionally, with SB66 in effect, we will finally have even more tools to protect people. 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. Merchant category codes will enable credit card companies to detect alarming purchasing patterns like his and alert law enforcement, helping to prevent horrific acts of gun violence before disaster strikes.”

“It’s important to tackle illegal guns in Colorado to increase public safety,” said Froelich, sponsor of SB24-003 and SB24-066. “Current gaps in authority and resources make it difficult for law enforcement officials to enforce our laws to the fullest extent, which is why our new law will give CBI the authority and the resources to work with local law enforcement agencies on life-saving investigations of illegal firearms. Another new law will go into effect to expand the use of credit card merchant codes, an effective tool already used by law enforcement, to combat human trafficking and money laundering crimes. Our legislation is crucial in giving law enforcement a head start in preventing gun violence so we can save Colorado lives."

Finally, SB24-066, sponsored by Sullivan, Froelich, and Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, 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.

“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," said Mabrey. "Firearms are uniquely exempted from having a merchant code. Almost every other product has one of these codes and this new law removes that exemption. 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.

New Laws Go Into Effect to Boost Consumer Protections for Event Tickets, Predatory Towing and Improve Gig Worker Rights

DENVER, CO - On August 7, three new laws will go into effect to strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events, crack down on predatory towing, and improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers.

“Colorado is home to many great live music venues and multiple professional sports teams, and this consumer protection law will help prevent Coloradans from being taken advantage of by bad actors,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This law guarantees refunds for canceled events, ensures actual all-in prices are advertised and bans deceptive website sales to clarify consumer rights and protections in the ticket industry. We’re creating a Colorado that better serves consumers so they can fully enjoy their favorite events, from Nuggets games to Taylor Swift concerts.”

“For too long, bad actors have made the ticket purchasing process overly complicated and difficult to navigate,” said Senator Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, sponsor of HB24-1378. “This year, I was proud to champion the effort to bring greater transparency to the ticket buying process and improve the experience for Colorado consumers. This new law will help Coloradans attend the concerts and sporting events they love with more ease and peace of mind.”

“Unfortunately, most Coloradans have had negative experiences with the ticket industry that make it more difficult for them to attend concerts and professional sports games,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1378. “As a resident of downtown Denver, I know how important our local sports teams and big concert events are to local businesses. Our legislation will bolster protections for consumers, making ticket-buying a more secure process so Coloradans can feel better about their purchases.”

HB24-1378, also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, requires ticket sellers and resellers to guarantee refunds to ticket buyers and prohibits an operator from denying entry to ticket holders who purchased the ticket through a reseller.

This new law expands what constitutes a deceptive trade practice, including:

• Displaying trademarked, copyrighted, or substantially similar web designs, URLs, or other images and symbols with the intent to mislead a purchaser,

• Selling a ticket to an event without disclosing the total cost of the ticket, or

• Increasing the price of a ticket after the ticket has been selected for purchase, except for adding delivery fees.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that additional fees on event tickets average 27 to 31 percent of the ticket’s price.

HB24-1051 improves oversight, transparency and fairness in the towing industry in Colorado. Specifically, this law ends the practice of towing carriers patrolling, monitoring or policing properties to enforce parking restrictions on behalf of property owners. It also directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to promulgate new rules for towing carriers, including requiring carriers to disclose additional information necessary for effective oversight and meaningful reporting, beginning September 1, 2025.

“Leveling the playing field amongst towing companies and everyday Coloradans is essential, and that begins with dismantling some of the financial incentives for towing companies,” said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB24-1051. “While the Towing Bill of Rights laid a strong foundation to protect vehicle owners, we’re doing more to improve transparency within the towing industry and prohibiting predatory towing companies from patrolling parking lots to look for vehicles to profit on. Today, we’re putting consumers first by requiring property owners to authorize residential non-consensual tows, outlining more guardrails for towing carries and making sure vehicles towed illegally are returned to the owner within 48 hours at no cost.”

“When my car was wrongfully towed last summer, it showed me how the laws we had in place were being ignored and weren’t strong enough. Since then, I’ve heard from countless Coloradans who have shared their experiences as well, which was the reason to come back to the table and further strengthen Colorado’s Towing Bill of Rights,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1051. “It all worked out for me in the end, but you shouldn’t have to be a senator or know the law forward and backward just to be treated fairly. This legislation ensures towing companies aren’t hiding the ball when it comes to telling people their options and rights under the law. My hope is that with this law, we can better protect consumers and hold towing carriers responsible for following the law.”

“Imagine waking up to find, through no fault of your own, that your vehicle has been towed – this is an unfortunate reality for many in our state,” said Rep. Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, sponsor of HB24-1051. “Our legislation works to break down financial incentives for predatory towing practices, specifically patrolling parking lots, and drastically improves consumer protections. Under this law, if a vehicle is illegally towed, the towing company will have to make it right by returning the vehicle within 48 hours at no cost to the owner. To ensure we’re leveling the playing field between Coloradans and towing companies, this law also outlines new rules for towing carriers to create a better state for us all.”

“Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to improve consumer protections in the towing industry and for TNC drivers,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, sponsor of HB24-1051 and SB24-075. “In the years since, we’ve learned that we need to do more to ensure that towing companies are actually following the law as intended and that drivers have the transparency they deserve. I was proud to sponsor these laws that make much needed updates to our Towing Bill Rights and provide drivers with essential details about their work like pay and destination – both of which ensure greater fairness for Coloradans.”

Importantly, HB24-1051 changes the incentive structure for towing companies by requiring the property owner to authorize non-consensual tows. Unauthorized vehicles will still be towed at the expense of the vehicle owner.

Another portion of the law aims to ramp up consumer protections by requiring companies to return a wrongfully towed vehicle to the original location within 48 hours and at no charge to the vehicle owner, and improving parking lot signage to explain towing regulations clearly in both English and Spanish. The law also makes it a deceptive trade practice to conduct a non-consensual tow in violation of the law.

In an effort to improve long-term transparency in the towing industry, HB24-1051 allows the PUC to suspend or revoke a towing carrier permit in certain circumstances and the law addresses conflicts of interest for members of the Towing Task Force.

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 the 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 how much of that 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.

“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, sponsor of SB24-075. “This law improves gig workers’ rights while providing much-needed transparency to consumers so they know what their money is paying for.”

“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, sponsor of SB24-075. “Our new law gives basic rights to TNC drivers and provides much-needed transparency for customers.”

“The gig economy has exploded in recent years, and we are addressing the lack of worker protections and consumer transparency to ensure fair wages and autonomy,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-075. “This 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 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.”

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

New Laws to Support Military, First Responder Families Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO - Two bills aimed at supporting students in military families and ensuring surviving spouses of state employees will receive lifetime death benefits if their spouse is killed on the job will go into effect on August 7.

“Children of military families are especially vulnerable to the changes that come with moving schools, making new friends and joining extracurricular activities mid-season,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, sponsor of HB24-1076. “This new law will help students that are part of military families during the transition process, allowing them to focus on learning, growing and socializing within a program that fosters support.”

“Military families make big sacrifices to support service members and their communities, and it’s critical that we support them as well,” Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076. “This new law will help uplift kids in military families by making sure they get the support they need to thrive at school. I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation that will help military family members get connected to the support and resources they deserve.”

“This important law uplifts our military families which strengthens communities, supports our workforce and recognizes the day-to-day sacrifices made by those who serve our nation and their families,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB24-1076. “As a representative for a community with a long tradition of military service, this bill will help ease the school transition for kids in military families, making it easier to call our great state home.”

HB24-1076, also sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, establishes the Purple Star School Program to designate and recognize K-12 public schools that show a strong commitment to military-connected students and their families. To qualify for the Purple Star designation, schools must:

• Designate a staff member as a Military Liaison,

• Maintain a website with resources for military-connected students and families,

• Maintain student-led transition programs, and

• Offer professional development opportunities relating to military-connected students.

“When the surviving spouses of firefighters, Colorado State Patrol officers, and other first responders remarry, they lose the death benefits they are entitled to,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB24-1139. “Death benefits for spouses are crucial in supporting widows and widowers during these times of need. This law ensures that surviving spouses will continue to see death benefits, even if they remarry, to help them heal from the trauma of losing their spouse while allowing them to move forward with their life.”

“Having served for over 35 years as a firefighter, I know the difficulties spouses of lost employees go through in the wake of their passing – and death benefits are critical for them during their times of need,” said Senator Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB24-1139. “The current remarriage penalty forces a surviving spouse to relive the trauma of their loss and prevents them from moving forward with their lives. With this law, widows can choose to remarry without sacrificing financial security.”

HB24-1139, also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, and Senator Perry Will, R-New Castle, ensures lifetime workers’ death benefits for surviving spouses of state employees with high-risk jobs, even if they remarry. Prior to this law, a surviving spouse could be eligible to receive workers’ compensation death benefits for the rest of their life, but if they remarry, they forfeit the right to these benefits. The new law defines a job with high-risk classification as State Troopers, Colorado Bureau of Investigations officers, corrections officers, community parole officers, state firefighters, port of entry officers, parks and wildlife officers, and Colorado Department of Transportation safety and maintenance workers.

First-in-the-World Neural Data Protections Law Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO - On August 7, first-in-the-world legislation goes into effect to add biological and neural protections to the Colorado Privacy Act.

“Big technology companies are making remarkable progress with technology that uses biological and neural data, but without proper privacy protections in our state law, this data can be used and sold without consent,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Neurotechnology outside the medical setting has made significant advancements, especially for people with disabilities, and the advances in this field are coming quickly. Wearable technology purchased by consumers today increasingly has the ability to read thoughts. The next frontier in this field is influencing people’s thoughts and behavior. Our first in the nation law protects Coloradans’ from these invasions of privacy while continuing to encourage technological advancements.”

“Neurotechnology is no longer confined to medical or research settings, it’s in devices we use every day,” said Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson. “Outside of these settings, neurotechnologies can currently operate without regulation, data protection standards, or equivalent ethical constraints. While neurotechnology has made significant progress in recent years, it’s important we protect users so that their sensitive information isn’t being collected without their control.”

HB24-1058, also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, expands the definition of “sensitive data” in the Colorado Privacy Act to include all biological data, including neural data.

Neurotechnology has become increasingly popular in recent years. Scientists and tech companies like Apple, Meta and Neuralink have used neurotechnology to recreate songs from users’ brain waves and translate thoughts using artificial intelligence. It also has the potential to alter someone’s thoughts and behaviors.

In 2021, Chile was the first country in the world to address this issue by amending their constitution to protect brain rights so their personal neural data could not be sold, trafficked or manipulated. With HB24-1058 going into effect, Colorado is the first state in the US to protect their residents’ biological and neural data and the first in the world to pass a law on this issue.

Law Goes Into Effect to Support New Immigrants

DENVER, CO - A new law goes into effect on August 7 to grant funding to community-based organizations that provide crucial services to new immigrants.

“Diversity makes our Colorado communities stronger. 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. “By strengthening Colorado’s existing community-based resources, 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. “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. “Resources like referrals to housing, employment assistance, and school enrollment support have a significant impact on new residents achieving stability here. With our new law going into effect, we can 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. “This critical law 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.

New Laws Go Into Effect to Make College Free for First Two Years, Bolster Colorado’s Workforce by Connecting Apprenticeships with Education System

DENVER, CO - On August 7, a bipartisan law goes into effect to save students money on higher education. HB24-1340, the Colorado Promise Act, creates a refundable income tax credit to cover the cost of two years of higher education for every family making under $90,000. SB24-104 will seamlessly connect apprenticeship programs with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and high school and career technical education (CTE) programs.

“As one of the first members of my family to go to college, I want to make it possible for every aspiring student to afford higher education and achieve their dreams,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, sponsor of HB24-1340. “By creating the Colorado Promise, we will make higher education nearly free for two years for every family making under $90,000 per year. With this law going into effect, more students will be able to complete their degree and afford the cost of college, which for too many middle-income families is unaffordable.”

“In my legislative career, improving education and creating opportunities for all of Colorado’s students has been a top priority,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, sponsor of HB24-1340. “The Colorado Promise is a historic opportunity to make higher education more accessible for students whose families make under $90,000 a year. I’m so proud to see this bipartisan legislation take effect. We’re one step closer to making affordable degrees a reality.”

HB24-1340, also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, supports two years of in-state college for students in families earning less than $90,000, making higher education more attainable for families.

Specifically, this law creates a refundable state income tax credit for Colorado students in their first two years of attendance (based on credit hours accumulated) at any public Colorado institution of higher education. The credit provides reimbursement for the full amount of tuition and fees paid after accounting for any scholarships or grants the student received. The credit can be claimed by a parent or other taxpayer if the student is their dependent, and is available for the 2024-25 school year through 2031-32.

SB24-104 will require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the CCCS to align high school CTE programs with registered apprenticeships, which includes things like working with apprenticeship sponsors on including credit for CTE programs completed. There are currently over 300,000 high school and community college students enrolled in CTE programs, and this will help more students progress into paid apprenticeships with concrete career pathways. These registered apprenticeship programs will focus on areas of workforce shortages, such as infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, education, or health care.

“Currently, there is a gap between technical education and apprentice programs across the state,” said Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of SB24-104. “This new law bridges that gap by connecting students with quality apprenticeships that will give them the opportunity to earn as they learn.”

“Colorado has amazing opportunities available for students who are interested in trade work, but the disconnect between their education and existing apprenticeship program requirements make it more difficult for them to complete their training,” said Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, sponsor of SB24-104. “With our new law going into effect, we can better ensure that students are going through training that aligns with apprenticeship requirements so they can get into the workforce quicker and build a strong career in their trade of choice.”

While Colorado has made progress in advancing registered apprenticeships over the last several years, according to CDLE, apprenticeships make up only 0.1 percent of the state’s workforce. Reports show that students benefit from experiential learning opportunities, leading to higher grades, greater engagement, and stronger career-readiness.

Laws to Extend Federal Indian Boarding School Research Program, Uncover and Define Systemic Racial Inequities in Colorado Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 7, two new laws will go into effect. HB24-1444 will implement History Colorado recommendations to support healing generational trauma in tribal communities, capture oral histories and dive deeper into long-standing inequities faced by tribal communities. SB24-053 will examine racial disparities and the impact of systemic racism on Black Coloradans.

“History Colorado’s research about the dark history of federal Indian boarding schools left us with a choice on how to right these wrongs and better support our tribal communities today,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsor of HB24-1444. “This law extends this important research for another three years, acknowledging the abuse and forced assimilation that occurred, and addressing some of the longstanding inequities still faced by our tribal communities.”

“I was proud to join this bipartisan effort to acknowledge and address the injustices faced by American Indian communities in Colorado,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1444. “By extending the federal Indian boarding school research program until 2027 and providing new funding, we are helping ensure that the voices and experiences of tribal communities are heard and respected.”

“We cannot erase the horrors of the past, but we must face them,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1444. “This new law directs the state of Colorado to continue to expose the truth about the American Indian boarding schools.”

HB24-1444, in consultation with tribes, extends the federal Indian boarding school research program within History Colorado until 2027. Enacted in 2022 through HB22-1327, this research program was tasked with researching the victimization that occurred at American Indian boarding schools in Colorado. History Colorado released the findings from their report and recommendations in October 2023, which revealed that nine institutions in the state attempted to assimilate American Indian students. HB24-1444 invests $1 million to continue the program in consultation with different tribes, putting forward recommendations to work toward social, educational and economic equity for tribal communities.

“Systemic racism has impacted Black Coloradans in every facet of our lives, leading to negative impacts like poorer health outcomes and less likelihood of accumulating generational wealth,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-053. “While one law can’t make up for the impacts that Black Coloradans have endured, this legislation will help us identify the impacts that racial inequalities have had on our Black community so we can take intentional and effective action.”

“Black Coloradans have been living with the impacts of systemic and historic racism – and the structural inequities that have resulted from it – for decades,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-053. “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.”

“Racial equity studies can be a useful tool to address racial inequity by compiling data of the long-term impacts that systematic racism has had on Black communities,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-053. “Our legislation directs History Colorado to look further into how racial inequalities have impacted the success of Black Coloradans so we can develop meaningful policy that will make a real difference for our future.”

SB24-053 creates the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission to determine and make recommendations on the lasting effects of systemic racism in Colorado’s practices, systems, and policies. History Colorado will conduct research across areas such as economic mobility, housing, K-12 education, health care and the criminal justice system.

Racial equity studies, like the one outlined in this law, can be used as tools to qualify and quantify past discrimination and recommend certain corrective measures. The study also includes an economic impact analysis of the racial discrimination determined by the study.

New Laws to Prevent Student Overdoses, Expand Access to Health Care Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO - Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7.

HB24-1003, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Mary Young and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will make opiate antagonists and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. SB24-034, sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman and Chris Kolker and Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Lorena Garcia, expands the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units.

“I’m so proud to have worked closely with the students from both Durango and Animas High Schools to create this life-saving law,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Too often, Colorado youth have seen their classmates suffer from the current opioid crisis, which is why our law will increase availability and training for the administration of opiate antagonists. The advocacy from these students on this topic will make a significant impact throughout our state and save countless lives, as they’ve seen the challenges their peers face.”

“Our young people have not escaped being harmed by the opioid crisis that is impacting every corner of our state, and we must do more to protect them,” Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said. “This important legislation, which came to us from students who have been impacted directly by this terrible epidemic, gives schools more badly-needed tools to combat this crisis and will ultimately save lives.”

“As a school psychologist, I understand how serious and common overdoses can be in our schools, and this new law will make it easier for schools to prevent these overdoses from becoming fatal,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Research shows that overdose education for students, teachers, staff, and families leads to increased involvement in treatment and this legislation empowers students, educators, and other school personnel to know how to respond to an overdose. This student-initiated law gives schools life-saving harm reduction tools to decrease the number of student overdoses across Colorado.”

HB24-1003, will allow trained bus drivers and other employees present on buses to administer certain medications, including opiate antagonists such as Naloxone, to students experiencing an overdose. This law also permits school districts to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses, and for trained students to possess and administer opiate antagonists on school grounds, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event. Additionally, HB24-1003 will allow schools to acquire and maintain a supply of testing strips designed to detect the presence of additional harmful components in an opioid, such as fentanyl.

“School-based health centers deliver critical care where and when students need it,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “However, we still see gaps in care, especially in rural school districts. This new law will allow medical entities, in partnership with school districts, to use grant funding to support telehealth, mobile services and referrals for nearby services. This reduces barriers to care by bringing primary medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care directly to school communities.”

“The School-Based Health Center Grant Program helps provide quality health care services to our youth and meet the needs of students in our state,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “Our new law extends this important program to also include telehealth services so every student seeking care can receive it in a convenient way that works for them.”

“For years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has been instrumental in providing quality health care to students who need it most,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will help ensure every student seeking care can receive it in a timely, convenient manner. I’m thrilled to see us take another step forward to ensure every Colorado kid has the support they need to thrive.”

“Expanding access to health care is critical, especially for our students and youth,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “This new law expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program so our students, regardless of their zip code, can receive the medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care they need.”

SB24-034 will expand the successful School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units.  School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Under current law, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. SB24-034 allows this program to work alongside other school-linked programs, such as telehealth and mobile health units.

Senate Democratic Leadership Statements on President Biden

DENVER, CO – Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, today released the following statements on President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. 

Senate President Steve Fenberg:

“President Biden is a true public servant and deserves our immense gratitude for saving the country from a deepening crisis in the 2020 election. He brought steady leadership to the world’s biggest international health crisis, curbed the economic fallout of that crisis, and pivoted to pass historic legislation that no previous president was able to accomplish in the modern era. His unprecedented action on climate and infrastructure investments alone is worthy of a legacy that should be celebrated for generations.”

Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez:

“President Biden has been a champion for the American people. I’m deeply appreciative of his leadership over the past four years and excited for the work ahead to ensure we can continue to build on his successes. As we move forward together, Colorado Senate Democrats will remain focused on the shared priorities of the Biden administration and the people of Colorado - building a strong economy that works for all, investing in critical infrastructure projects, and creating good jobs.”

Legislation to Streamline Colorado's Competency System Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, and Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, that aims to streamline complicated processes in the competency system to increase efficiency and effectiveness and reduce waitlists goes into effect on July 1.

"We must reform Colorado's competency system to get people the help they need to get better, which is why we passed this new law," said Amabile. "By streamlining our competency system, we can help provide crucial behavioral health services to Coloradans in need."

“Colorado’s competency system is overwhelmed and overcomplicated,” Fields said. “Folks are struggling with difficult mental health issues, and they need help now. It’s past time we make updates to our competency system to ensure more people are getting the behavioral health care support they need to stay out of the criminal justice system and live more whole lives.”

To help get people who are unlikely to be restored to competency into appropriate treatment, HB24-1034 imposes new time limits for when a defendant who has been deemed incompetent to proceed can remain in custody. Additionally, the bill directs when competency services may be provided on an outpatient basis.

Law to Create the Office of Rail Safety Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO – Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today.

HB24-1030, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, creates the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office is required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office is required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024.

"Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Cutter. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry."

“As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Mabrey. “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.”

“As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Exum said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.”

“We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Mauro. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.”

The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by:

• Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination;

• Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems;

• Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches;

• Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and

• Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations.

Hamrick, Hansen Bipartisan Law to Boost Educator Workforce Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO - Bipartisan legislation goes into effect today to boost Colorado’s education workforce. HB24-1044, sponsored by Representative Eliza Hamrick and Senator Chris Hansen, allows school districts to hire more Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) retirees, without the risk of the retirees losing their retirement benefits.

“Colorado’s educator shortage is dire and our students deserve quality education,” said Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “To address our educator shortage, we need to use every tool available to us. With our new law going into effect, more retired educators and staff are able to return to the schools, without the risk of losing their PERA retirement benefits. This will encourage retired teachers to return to the classroom and help our schools and most importantly – our students.”

“Colorado schools are facing a critical shortage of teachers, which results in larger class sizes and fewer students getting the individualized attention they need,” Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, said. “Allowing more retirees to return to the classroom without jeopardizing their hard-earned PERA benefits will get more qualified teachers and staff into our schools and help more students get the quality education they deserve.”

HB24-1044, also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, expands the number of service retirees that school districts may hire while still being eligible for PERA benefits. Specifically, school districts can exceed the current 10 retiree cap by 1 retiree for every 1,000 students above 10,000 students.

Under current law, school districts may only hire retirees when a “critical shortage of qualified instructors” is established. This law aims to streamline placing educators in classrooms by instead allowing school districts to hire up to 10 retirees if the district identifies a “need” for additional instructors.

Legislation to Protect More Coloradans from Bias-Motivated Crimes Goes Into Effect

SB24-189 adds gender identity and gender expression to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws

DENVER, CO – Legislation that will protect more Coloradans from bias-motivated crimes goes into effect on July 1.

SB24-189, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Chris Hansen, D-Denver, as well as Representative Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, improves protections for Coloradans by adding gender identity and gender expression to the classes included in Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes and harassment laws. 

“Every Coloradan deserves to feel secure in their community, but far too many folks have been targeted because of who they are or how they identify,” Fields said. “As trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks face increasing threats across the country, we will continue fighting to make our state safer for all Coloradans and provide better protections against bias-motivated crime and harassment.”

"Sadly hate crimes are on the rise in Colorado and the need for protections for LGBTQ+ Coloradans is very clear," Weissman said. "This new law bolsters protections for our transgender community by clarifying transgender identity as a protected class in our bias crime laws. We are working hard to protect all Coloradans from crimes that target them just because of who they are."

“Colorado has been a national leader when it comes to advancing equality and protections for our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” Hansen said. “This bill will help protect Coloradans from violence or harassment based on their gender identity or gender expression, and will help ensure perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes are held accountable for their actions. I’m pleased to champion this legislation that will help more Coloradans feel secure and keep people in our communities safe.”

The bill also redefines "sexual orientation" as used in our bias-motivated crimes and harassment statutes.

Amabile, Roberts Suicide Prevention Bill Goes Into Effect

DENVER, CO - On July 1, 2024, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Judy Amabile and Senator Dylan Roberts goes into effect to prevent suicides by regulating sales of sodium nitrite products.

“Colorado is in a mental health crisis, and the growing frequency of suicide by sodium nitrite products indicates that these products are too easily accessible,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Some private online sellers are marketing concentrated sodium nitrite products as a way to complete suicide, profiting off of the mental health struggles of our loved ones and neighbors. This new law brings much-needed regulation to these products so we can keep it out of the hands of people most vulnerable to it and instead, focus on getting them help.”

“Colorado tragically has one of the highest rates of suicide in the country, with a particularly alarming high number of suicide deaths among Colorado’s youth,” said Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Denver. “In recent years, we have seen a disturbing trend where people struggling with suicidal ideation and seeking help online are winding up in a web-based wasteland that offers advice on “how to” take one’s own life. This new law will restrict the availability of the extremely potent sodium nitrite chemical and appropriately highlight its lethality so that we can restrict this means of suicide and save lives.”

Sodium nitrite “suicide kits” are easily accessible online and have been reported to be used by Colorado residents, especially youth, in recent years. Websites that sell these kits often have step-by-step instructions on how to use sodium nitrite to complete suicide.

HB24-1081, also sponsored by Representative Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, prohibits the sale or transfer of products containing 10 percent or greater sodium nitrite to individuals. It can still be sold to businesses, though sellers will now be required to verify that businesses require the product before a transaction can be made, and records of sales or transfers must be kept for three years.

Violators will see $10,000 in civil penalties for a first violation, with up to $1 million for a second violation.