Bipartisan Legislation to Continue Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund Passes Committee Unanimously

SB25-122 would extend the Emily Keyes - John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund

DENVER, CO – Senate President James Coleman’s, D-Denver, bill to ensure the continued success of organ and tissue donation awareness efforts in Colorado unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services committee today.

Cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, SB25-122 would extend the Emily Keyes - John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund by removing the current sunset clause that would terminate the fund on September 1, 2027. 

"Organ and tissue donation saves lives, and by ensuring the continuation of this successful program, we honor the legacy of John W. Buckner, Emily Keyes, and the many Coloradans who have given the gift of life,” said Coleman. “This fund has been instrumental in raising awareness and educating our communities about the importance of organ and tissue donation since its inception in 2007. I’m proud to champion this effort to ensure it continues."

The fiduciary agent of the fund, Donor Alliance, is the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) in Colorado which evaluates, recovers, preserves, and transports organs and tissue for donation. This bill would maintain the critical partnership between Donor Alliance and the Department of Motor Vehicles, continue public education efforts about the life-saving importance of organ and tissue donation, and preserve annual reporting requirements to maintain transparency and accountability.

To recognize late Representative John Buckner’s legacy as an organ and tissue donor, Colorado legislators added his name to the fund when they passed legislation to renew it in 2017. 

SB25-122 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill to Support Students with Disabilities at Colorado Universities & Colleges

DENVER, CO – Today the Senate approved bipartisan legislation to ensure students with disabilities have the resources they need to thrive at their university or college.

Sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, SB25-087 would require Colorado institutions of higher education to create policies that would allow students to voluntarily self-disclose a disability to receive an “academic adjustment” that helps to ensure they have the resources necessary to succeed. 

“Higher education is the key to success for so many, and every student at a Colorado university and college deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of a disability,” said Marchman. “This bipartisan bill would enable students, faculty, and administration to work together to expand access to critical disability resources, give students more agency over their education, and save Colorado families time and money.”

Under the bill, the policy must include the process to determine eligibility for adjustments, documentation requirements for eligibility, information on available disability resources and adjustments, and an appeals process procedure for disputing decisions. Institutions must distribute this policy in accessible formats to applicants, students, parents, and faculty during the application process, orientation, in academic catalogs, and on their websites.

As defined in federal law, an “academic adjustment” is a modification to an institution’s academic requirements to ensure that these requirements do not discriminate against qualifying students.

SB25-087 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Misconduct Passes Committee Unanimously

Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Misconduct Passes Committee Unanimously

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, that would strengthen protections for survivors of sexual misconduct.

Cosponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, HB25-1138 would protect victims of sexual misconduct in civil court by expanding the Civil Rape Shield Law. 

“This legislation ensures that survivors of sexual violence are treated with dignity and fairness in civil court,” said Daugherty. “Survivors who bravely come forward deserve to know that irrelevant details – like their clothing, hair style, or past sexual history – will not be used against them. By preventing the use of these unrelated details in civil cases, we can protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.”

The bill would make a victim’s hairstyle, manner of speech, lifestyle, and clothing related to an alleged sexual offense inadmissible as evidence of consent, credibility, or harm. With few exceptions, the past sexual history of a victim could not be discussed, and a judge must first review any such evidence in private. 

Currently, Colorado law says sexual activity is irrelevant and inadmissible in a civil proceeding unless that sexual activity was between a victim and a defendant. This bill would eliminate that exception. 

Colorado Democrats passed a 2024 law that expanded the Criminal Rape Shield Law to prohibit the admission of evidence of a victim’s clothing or the victim’s past sexual history with a defendant to prove consent in criminal court.

HB25-1138 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Bill to Increase Access to Veterinary Education Passes Senate Committee

HB25-1131 would address Colorado’s veterinary care shortage by expanding access to Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine

DENVER, CO – Today, a bill sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, to address Colorado’s veterinary care shortage passed the Senate Education Committee with unanimous support. 

“When our state is facing a shortage of veterinarians, any student who wants to jump-start their careers at CSU’s first-rate College of Veterinary Medicine should be able to,” Kipp said. “This bill would expand access to veterinary education and address Colorado’s veterinarian shortage, especially in rural communities feeling the shortage the most.” 

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB25-1131 would increase access to veterinary care by eliminating the cap on student enrollment for Colorado State University’s (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. 

CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is ranked as the #2 veterinary school in the nation and works in partnership with CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This bill would make it easier for students to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and help tackle Colorado’s rising veterinary care shortage.

HB25-1131 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Bill to Implement Voter-Approved Protections for Abortion Care & Pregnancy-Related Services Introduced in Senate

DENVER, CO – Legislation to implement voter-approved protections for abortion care and pregnancy-related services was introduced in the Senate yesterday.

In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care.

Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, SB25-183 would implement the will of the voters by updating Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage.

“Colorado voters have once again reaffirmed their support for freedom to make decisions about their bodies and their futures,” said Rodriguez. “Our state has a long history of standing up for reproductive health care freedoms, and this represents another chapter in that story. I am honored to sponsor this legislation that implements the will of the voters and ensures reproductive health care is protected in both our state law and our constitution.”

“Colorado Democrats believe you should decide what’s right for your body and your future, and voters agree, abortion must remain legal and protected in Colorado,” said McCluskie. “Given the uncertain future of abortion access in our nation, Colorado Democrats stepped up in recent years to protect reproductive health care in our state. Now, we’re building upon those efforts by upholding the will of the voters to protect your fundamental right to access abortion care.” 
 
“Coloradans deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions and choices about when to start a family – full stop,” said Daugherty. “Amidst a dangerous national landscape, we have worked hard to ensure that Colorado is a beacon for access to safe and affordable reproductive health care. Last November, Coloradans resoundingly voted to build on that work and permanently protect the fundamental right to abortion care in our state’s constitution.”

“It’s clear – Coloradans believe it is your constitutional right to access the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion,” said Garcia. “Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion care and access, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. This bill upholds the will of the voters by ensuring your fundamental right to access reproductive health care is never ripped away.” 

Beginning on January 1, 2026, the bill would ensure that state employee health insurance plans cover abortion care and require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to authorize reimbursements for abortion care under publicly funded insurance, including community members with coverage through Health First Colorado, and the Reproductive Health Care Program.

SB25-183 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be scheduled for its first committee hearing in the coming weeks. Track its progress HERE.

Bill to Improve Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities Passes Senate

HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure building codes incorporate accessibility standards in new and renovated buildings

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve accessibility standards for Coloradans with disabilities sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, passed the Senate today. 

“Coloradans with disabilities deserve the opportunity to move about freely and fully participate in society,” said Cutter. “They deserve equal access to public buildings and services. This bill moves us closer to making these things a reality, and to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law nearly 35 years ago.”

“The heart of this bill is about letting all our neighbors live with dignity and respect. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed 35 years ago, yet many buildings are inaccessible to many,” said Winter. “One step forward to ensure that we're increasing accessibility is to have local governments update their building codes. Everyone should be able to fully participate in all aspects of society and not be limited by access to a building.”

Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure that new or substantially amended building codes meet or exceed international accessibility standards. It would also require the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to ensure building codes for public school and health facilities meet these standards. 

For hotels, motels and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code, the State Housing Board would be responsible for meeting or exceeding these standards. 

This bill is another in a series of steps Colorado Democrats have taken in recent years to support Colorado’s disability community, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to serve as an official resource for implementing a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration.

HB25-1030 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Senate Approves Legislation to Increase Access, Save Coloradans Money on Mental Health Care

HB25-1002 would prevent health insurance providers from denying medically necessary mental health care

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to reduce mental health care costs for Colorado families passed the Senate today. 

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB25-1002 would reduce health care costs by standardizing insurance coverage determinations to ensure that mental health care coverage is based on clinical evidence, not profit margins. 

“Access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment is crucial to the health and wellbeing of Colorado families,” said Amabile. “Far too often, insurance companies deny medically necessary mental health claims with little to no justification, and Coloradans who are already struggling end up with huge costs or no care at all. This bill would help Coloradans get the care they need at a price they can afford.” 

HB25-1002 would ensure that insurance companies use transparent, evidence-based criteria when deciding whether mental health care should be covered under an insurance plan. It would prevent providers from denying coverage for medically necessary mental and behavioral health and substance use services. 

The bill would also codify federal mental health parity rules into state law, requiring mental health services to be covered at an equal level to physical health services, and implement clinical standards from select national organizations to ensure parity. 

HB25-1002 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Bill to Improve Statewide Emergency Alert Systems Passes Senate Committee

SB25-031 would develop a single point of contact to improve statewide emergency alert coverage

DENVER, CO – Senator Dylan Roberts’, D-Frisco, bill to expand access to emergency alert systems was approved by the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee yesterday. 

SB25-031 would require the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop a single point of contact to improve statewide access to critical emergency alert information, recommend improvements for local governments who administer alert systems to address language and accessibility needs, provide technical assistance to local communities, and offer recommendations to improve emergency alert systems. 

“In the event of an emergency, every Coloradan deserves access to alerts, no matter where they live. It could literally be the difference between life and death,” said Roberts. “This bill will upgrade several aspects of our emergency communications infrastructure to improve public safety and standardize access for all.”

In addition to improving emergency communications in DPS, SB25-031 would expand the scope of Colorado’s Broadband Office in the Office of Information Technology to include promoting access to wireless service. 

SB25-031 is one of three bills to advance out of the bipartisan Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee, tasked with identifying gaps in cell phone coverage and connectivity in Colorado. 

SB25-031 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bill to Support Families with Newborns in the NICU Passes Committee

SB25-144 would extend the paid family and medical leave insurance program up to an additional 12 weeks for parents of children in neonatal intensive care

DENVER, CO – Today, legislation sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D- Broomfield, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, to extend the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program passed the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee. 

SB25-144 would allow parents of children who are receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive paid family and medical insurance benefits for up to an additional twelve weeks. 

“I know firsthand how terrifying and consuming it can be for a parent of a newborn in intensive care,” said Bridges. “It is so important for a child's development to be with their parents in those first few months of life. We need to make it easier for parents with kids in the NICU to have access to that quality time, which is why we’re expanding FAMLI in a way that doesn’t raise premiums for employees or employers.”  

“We know that children are more likely to come home faster from the NICU if their parents can be with them,” said Winter. “Because of the good work and the existing resources of the FAMLI program, expanding benefits for additional time allows the state to provide additional help to families going through incredibly taxing times.”  

The bill would also modify the premiums for the FAMLI program to extend the current rate of 0.09 percent of wages per employee through the end of the year and change the premium-setting process to reflect the solvency of the program and create more stability for businesses. 

SB25-144 will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Senate Approves Bill to Enhance Support for Military-Connected Children with Disabilities

SB25-073 would guarantee equal rights to enrollment and access to appropriate services for children with disabilities of active-duty military members

DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to support children with disabilities of active duty military members passed the Senate today. 

Cosponsored by Senator Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, SB25-073 would clarify that Colorado students with disabilities who are children of active duty military members are entitled to the same rights to open enrollment and guaranteed matriculation as any student who lives in the public school district. It would also require school districts and charter schools to ensure those students receive the appropriate services. 

“Changing schools and hopping from one military base to the next is difficult enough, and a lack of timely access to disability services exacerbates those difficulties tenfold,”said Marchman. “No child should be deprived of access to the educational pathways they need because of their background or ability. This bill would give them the support they need to seize every opportunity available to them and ensure every student has the potential to succeed.”

In addition to ensuring equal right to enrollment and access to necessary services, the bill clarifies guidelines for providing special education services to students who transfer to a Colorado school from another district or from out-of-state as a result of an active duty military member’s order to change stations. It would also require school districts and charter schools to notify incoming military families of the rights of their children to receive special education services.

SB25-073 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bill to Strengthen Support for Youth in the Criminal Justice System Passes Committee

SB25-043 would promote use of community support programs for youth in the criminal justice system

DENVER, CO – A bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to bolster support and promote deflection programs for youth caught up in the criminal justice system passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. 

“Juvenile records can be devastating for a child’s chances at graduating high school, going to college, securing housing, joining the military, and finding employment, all of which contributes to higher recidivism,” said Michaelson Jenet. “Keeping at-risk and underserved youth out of the criminal justice system is the best way to support and uplift them on a path to living healthy and productive lives.”

“Intervening early in the cases of low-level offenses allows judges, prosecutors and law enforcement to spend their resources on youth with more demanding needs,” said Amabile. “This bill is about addressing the underlying causes of juvenile crime and treating them effectively for the good of young people, their families, and our state.”  

SB25-043 would make several changes to the process for determining whether or not a juvenile is competent to stand trial in an adult court and would require courts to drop charges for low-level offenses if a juvenile is found incompetent to proceed. The bill also clarifies and provides a framework for how courts and families of these youth proceed with case management plans, including what information can and cannot be included in the plan and how the court may proceed if a juvenile or their family does not engage with the plan. 

Additionally, the bill would create the Deflection and Community Investment Grant Program in the Colorado Department of Public Safety to implement trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth beginning in 2026. The grant program follows a framework proven by other states; a similar program in California found that after year three, around 70 percent of youth participants had no further contact with the juvenile justice system.

SB25-043 was recommended by the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems Interim Committee. 

SB25-043 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Bill to Strengthen Shield Protections for Reproductive Health Care Passes Senate

SB25-129 would protect patients and providers from hostile out-of-state attacks on reproductive health care

DENVER, CO – A bill to protect Coloradans’ rights and freedoms by strengthening legal protections for reproductive health care passed the Senate today.  

SB25-129, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, would strengthen Colorado’s shield laws to protect patients and providers from out-of-state and federal attacks on reproductive health care. 

“We have worked hard in Colorado to protect the freedom to decide what to do with our futures and our bodies, and we won’t allow anyone to put these freedoms in danger,” said Cutter. “As attacks on reproductive rights continue across the country, we are working to implement strong and responsive laws in Colorado to shield health care patients and providers from hostile out-of-state action.”

“Colorado is a beacon for reproductive freedom and access to abortion in our region,” said Winter. “Strengthening our shield law would expand protections for patients, providers, and helpers against interstate criminal and civil threats. These measures, like prescription label privacy, telehealth protections, and robust legal safeguards, will ensure that Colorado remains a national leader for reproductive health care and freedom.” 

The bill would protect providers by allowing their name to be excluded from a medication abortion label and requiring subpoena requests to include an affirmation that they do not pertain to legally protected health care. The bill would also prohibit attorneys, local governments, and state entities like hospitals, clinics, businesses and insurers from complying with hostile out-of-state investigations and would strengthen enforcement and compliance mechanisms. 

Finally, the bill would update Colorado’s 2024 telehealth law to clarify that out-of-state health care providers offering telehealth services to Colorado patients are protected under the state’s shield law. 

In 2023, Colorado Democrats passed legislation to establish shield laws to protect health care providers and people who travel to Colorado for abortion or gender-affirming care from out-of-state lawsuits and criminal prosecution. 
 
The bill now moves to the House for further consideration. Track SB25-129’s progress HERE.

Legislation to Increase Access, Save Coloradans Money on Mental Health Care Passes Committee Unanimously

HB25-1002 would prevent health insurance providers from denying medically necessary mental health care

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to reduce mental health care costs for Colorado families passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today with unanimous support. 

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB25-1002 would reduce health care costs by standardizing insurance coverage determinations to ensure that mental health care coverage is based on clinical evidence, not profit margins. 

“Access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment is crucial to the health and wellbeing of Colorado families,” said Amabile. “Far too often, insurance companies deny medically necessary mental health claims with little to no justification, and Coloradans who are already struggling end up with huge costs or no care at all. This bill would help Coloradans get the care they need at a price they can afford.” 

HB25-1002 would ensure that insurance companies use transparent, evidence-based criteria when deciding whether mental health care should be covered under an insurance plan. It would prevent providers from denying coverage for medically necessary mental and behavioral health and substance use services. 

The bill would also codify federal mental health parity rules into state law, requiring mental health services to be covered at an equal level to physical health services, and implement clinical standards from select national organizations to ensure parity. 

HB25-1002 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Bill to Improve Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities Clears Senate Committee

HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure building codes incorporate accessibility standards in new and renovated buildings

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve accessibility standards for Coloradans with disabilities sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, passed the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee today. 

“Coloradans with disabilities deserve the opportunity to move about freely and fully participate in society,” said Cutter. “They deserve equal access to public buildings and services. This bill moves us closer to making these things a reality, and to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law nearly 35 years ago.”

“The heart of this bill is about letting all our neighbors live with dignity and respect. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed 35 years ago, yet many buildings are inaccessible to many,” said Winter. “One step forward to ensure that we're increasing accessibility is to have local governments update their building codes. Everyone should be able to fully participate in all aspects of society and not be limited by access to a building.”

Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 would require local governments to ensure that new or substantially amended building codes meet or exceed international accessibility standards. It would also require the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to ensure building codes for public school and health facilities meet these standards. 

For hotels, motels and multiple dwellings in jurisdictions with no local building code, the State Housing Board would be responsible for meeting or exceeding these standards. 

This bill is another in a series of steps Colorado Democrats have taken in recent years to support Colorado’s disability community, including creating the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office to serve as an official resource for implementing a statewide strategy to promote successful economic, social, and community integration.

HB25-1030 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Senate Passes Bill to Address High Cost of Child Care

SB25-004 would create transparency with application and waitlist fees for private child care centers

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, to address the high cost of child care passed the Senate today.

SB25-004 would require private child care centers to provide a transparent fee schedule upon registration, when joining a waitlist, or at the request of a family. The bill would also require application or waitlist fees to be refundable after six months if a child is not admitted and remains on the waitlist. 

"The rising cost of child care is a significant hurdle for countless families across Colorado," said Marchman. "By establishing clear guidelines for application and wait list fees as well as deposits, we can provide tangible relief to working families. With application fees often exceeding $175 per child, these costs add up quickly and put unnecessary pressure on household budgets. This bill ensures child care becomes more affordable and accessible, empowering more families to find the care they need without financial hardship."

"The lack of transparency on child care fees burdens families with unexpected expenses," said Winter. "I hear from so many parents in my community that they are struggling to find child care. Limiting waitlist fees and adding transparency to application fees on child care center websites and forms reduces financial uncertainty and helps parents make informed decisions about what’s best for them."

These requirements would apply to private child care programs outside the Universal Preschool Program, Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, and Head Start. A center may charge a deposit, but if admitted, the deposit must go towards tuition of child care. 

SB25-004 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Marchman Bill to Analyze a Statewide Single-Payer Health Care System Advances

DENVER, CO – Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bill to analyze model legislation for a statewide universal single-payer health care system passed the Senate today.

SB25-045 would require the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to create a report on the model legislation and would establish the Statewide Health Care Analysis Collaborative in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to assist the school in developing its report.

“Colorado faces significant health care affordability issues, especially in rural areas,” said Marchman. “Senate Bill 45 is a fact-finding and data-driven approach to analyze the potential for a single-payer, publicly financed health-care payment system in Colorado. This important bill will ensure we get the facts straight with a thorough, independent review of costs, funding sources, and feasibility of such a system before we take legislative action on major health care reform.”

By December 31, 2026, the school would be required to acquire model legislation developed by a nonprofit to enact a universal single-payer health care system and submit a report on the legislation that analyzes costs and connections to federal law, identifies possible revenue sources to cover costs, and evaluates the feasibility of other models.

Under the bill, funding for the study is dependent on receipt of sufficient gifts, grants, or donations.

SB25-045 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Pair of Bills to Improve Wildfire Response Pass Committee

SB25-007 and SB25-015 would update existing wildfire resiliency and emergency response measures

DENVER, CO – Two bills sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, that would improve Colorado’s prevention of and response to wildfires passed the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee today. 

“Because of the real impacts of climate change, we are living with an unpredictable and increasing threat of devastating wildfire,” said Cutter. “As a longtime member and current chair of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, I am committed to championing solutions that address all facets of this issue. Prescribed burning and easily accessible information on all facets of wildfire are important tools in the toolbox to help protect Coloradans and our forests.”

“We’ve learned so many lessons from the catastrophic wildfires of recent years, and among the most important of those is to be prepared,” said Marchman. “It is imperative that we strengthen our use of proactive, science-backed approaches like prescribed burns to address dangerous conditions and keep our forests healthy before we find ourselves in a disastrous situation.”

SB25-007 would encourage the use of prescribed burns as a wildfire resilience tool by creating the Prescribed Fire Claims Cash Fund within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to pay compensation for claims from damage caused by prescribed burns. Unintended damage is rare, but a lack of liability coverage is often a barrier to conducting beneficial prescribed burns. The bill would also create a new avenue for individuals to obtain a ‘certified burner’ designation from the Department of Public Safety, allowing them to conduct prescribed burns on private lands if they are certified in another state.

SB25-015 would scale up Colorado’s existing Wildfire Information and Resource Center website to improve emergency response by requiring the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to post updated information like wildfire statuses, burning restrictions, and prescribed burn activities. 

Both bills were recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Interim Committee, a bipartisan group of lawmakers tasked with developing legislation to bolster the forestry workforce and improve wildfire mitigation strategies. 

SB25-007 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee and SB25-015 moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. 

Bill to Enhance Support for Military-Connected Children with Disabilities Passes Committee

SB25-073 would guarantee equal rights to enrollment and access to appropriate services for children with disabilities of active-duty military members

DENVER, CO – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to support children with disabilities of active duty military members passed the Senate Education Committee today with unanimous support. 

Cosponsored by Senator Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, SB25-073 would clarify that Colorado students with disabilities who are children of active duty military members are entitled to the same rights to open enrollment and guaranteed matriculation as any student who lives in the public school district. It would also require school districts and charter schools to ensure those students receive the appropriate services. 

“Changing schools and hopping from one military base to the next is difficult enough, and a lack of timely access to disability services exacerbates those difficulties tenfold,”said Marchman. “No child should be deprived of access to the educational pathways they need because of their background or ability. This bill would give them the support they need to seize every opportunity available to them and ensure every student has  the potential to succeed.”

In addition to ensuring equal right to enrollment and access to necessary services, the bill clarifies guidelines for providing special education services to students who transfer to a Colorado school from another district or from out-of-state as a result of an active duty military member’s order to change stations. It would also require school districts and charter schools to notify incoming military families of the rights of their children to receive special education services.

SB25-073 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Freedom to Read Legislation Passes Senate

SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries

DENVER, CO – Legislation to create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a written policy on the acquisition, use, and removal of library resources passed the Senate today.

SB25-063, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, would require local school boards and the Charter School Institute (CSI) to establish a policy to ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair, and consistent process. Without a policy in place, a local school board or the CSI could not remove a library resource from its collection. 

“Free societies don’t ban books,” said Cutter. “This bill will ensure that the next generation of Coloradans has the opportunity to access a broad spectrum of literature, including works that might challenge preconceived notions or present uncomfortable truths. By doing so, we empower Colorado's children to become well-informed, open-minded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to our democracy. As diverse identities are being erased and marginalized throughout the country, it has never been more important to protect the freedom to read.”

“As an author and owner of a publishing company, I am committed to telling stories that would not otherwise be told,” said Michaelson Jenet. “These are the stories that end up on banned book lists. While other states enact laws to criminalize educators and restrict access to books, this bill sends a strong message that Colorado values our students’ freedom to access diverse voices and opinions.”

SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation. 

The bill now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

ICYMI: Bill to Safeguard Voting Rights in Colorado Law Passes Committee

The Colorado Voting Rights Act would strengthen voter protections and access amidst federal uncertainty

DENVER, CO – In anticipation of efforts to dismantle the national Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits discriminatory election practices, the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee approved legislation to protect and strengthen the right to vote in Colorado yesterday. 

SB25-001, sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, would codify stronger voter protections, expand access to voting information for historically excluded communities, and prohibit discriminatory election practices, even if federal protections are rolled back.

“The right to vote is under attack by a federal administration testing the limits of its power,” said Gonzales. “Generations of brave activists, women, and people of color have fought for the right to vote – and now, it’s our turn. This bill would ensure that in Colorado, no matter your gender, race, or the language you speak, your sacred right to vote is protected.”

The bill would expand access to multilingual ballots in local elections, protect access for eligible voters confined in local jails, require residential facilities that house people with disabilities to provide nonpartisan voter information, and empower the Attorney General to enforce voting rights. The bill would also prohibit impairing an individual’s right to vote based on their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, and would create a publicly available, statewide database of election information, without compromising any personal voter data.

SB25-001 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.