Pair of Bills to Streamline Childhood Health Care Pass Committee

HB25-1003 and SB25-017 would improve state-supported measures to streamline children’s health care

DENVER, CO – Two bills sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to streamline state support for children’s health care passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today. 

“We owe it to our children to provide the support they need in their early years. That is not only the right thing to do, but an important investment in our future,” Cutter said. “These bills help protect and streamline children’s health care and early intervention services to make sure every child in Colorado has the opportunity to thrive.”

HB25-1003 would combine two existing Medicaid waiver programs into one, creating the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver program. This new program would help streamline waivers to better support Colorado’s youth with behavioral health conditions or complex needs by providing in-home services and treatments for families with children with a complex health need, including respite care and pain management.

The committee also approved Cutter’s SB25-017, which aims to strengthen access to holistic primary health care for children in child care and learning environments.

HB25-1003 will move to the Senate floor for further consideration. SB25-017 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Bipartisan Legislation to Encourage Cleaner Construction Passes Committee

The bill would leverage existing financing tools and tax incentives to increase low-carbon materials in construction

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation to advance Colorado’s climate goals by reducing embodied carbon emissions released during the production, transportation, and use of construction materials passed the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today. 

SB25-182, sponsored by Senators Matt Ball, D-Denver, and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, would expand incentives for the private sector to use sustainable materials in construction and strengthen the emerging industry of low-carbon material innovators. 

“Colorado consistently ranks as one of the top ten states for population growth and new commercial real estate development, which is why we must take construction-related greenhouse gas emissions seriously,” said Ball. “We already lead the nation with innovative policies to cut emissions from buildings, and this legislation builds on that success by making it easier for private developers to use low-carbon materials. By expanding financing tools and incentives, we can ensure that Colorado’s dynamic construction sector drives progress towards our climate goals while creating demand for the highest quality, climate-positive materials – many of which are being developed and pioneered right here in the state.”

The bill would expand the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing program to include low-carbon construction materials, which would reduce upfront cost for developers to buy sustainable materials, which are often more expensive than traditional building materials. The bill would also add embodied carbon improvements to the list of greenhouse gas reduction improvements that may qualify for the Industrial Clean Energy Tax Credit. 

SB25-182 would help ensure that the state’s rapidly expanding construction sector becomes a driver of clean economic growth rather than a roadblock to climate progress.

SB25-182 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE. 

Trio of Michaelson Jenet Bills to Improve Access to Physical & Behavioral Health Care Pass Senate

The bills would increase access to medical equipment, update regulations on psilocybin medicine, and implement new guidelines for electroconvulsive treatment

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed three pieces of legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, to expand access to physical and behavioral health care. 

“I have always been a fierce advocate for ensuring Coloradans can access the care they need to live a full, healthy life,” said Michaelson Jenet. “Occupational therapists know what their patients need, and HB25-1016 will make a real difference in Coloradans’ lives by allowing them to prescribe critical medical equipment like crutches, oxygen tanks, and wheelchairs. My other two bills that passed today will ensure that Coloradans struggling with severe mental illness have access to innovative and life-saving treatments. These bills are about giving Coloradans the care they need, when they need it.” 

HB25-1016 would allow occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment, like ventilators and wheelchairs, without requiring a prescription from a licensed physician, leading to increased access, better health outcomes, and a higher quality of life for occupational therapy patients. 

HB25-1063 is a bipartisan bill that would make a prescription medication that includes crystalline polymorph psilocybin legal to prescribe, dispense, distribute, possess, use, and market in Colorado upon its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This bill does not allow access to drugs that have not been FDA-approved.

Colorado became the second state in the nation to legalize psychedelic therapy when voters passed Proposition 122 in 2022. In June 2023, the FDA published guidance for researchers investigating the use of psychedelic therapy for medical treatment, stating that psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs have shown promising results when used to treat mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders. A Johns Hopkins study found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can relieve major depressive disorder symptoms in some adults for at least a year.

HB25-1070 is a bipartisan bill that would allow minors to receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from trained providers only if less invasive treatments have failed, two psychiatrists approve the treatment (one of whom must be trained in child and adolescent health), and the minor’s parent/guardian consents. 

Numerous case studies and extensive literature reviews demonstrate that ECT is effective and safe in both typically-developing youth and youth with developmental disabilities, including those under 16 years of age, and can drastically improve the quality of life for those with certain severe mental health disorders. 

HB25-1016 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. HB25-1063 and HB25-1070 now move to the Governor’s desk to be signed. 

Senate Approves Bill to Implement Voter-Approved Protections for Abortion Care & Pregnancy-Related Services

Legislation would update Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by the passage of Amendment 79

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

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, and Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, 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.”
 
“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.”

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

Signed! New Law Will Improve Building Accessibility for Coloradans with Disabilities

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

DENVER, CO – Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera today signed a bill into law that will improve accessibility standards for Coloradans with disabilities, sponsored by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, and Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood.

“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 law 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.”

“Coloradans with disabilities rely on certain accessibility features in going about their daily lives, and it’s important that new and renovated buildings such as schools and health facilities meet or exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Joseph. “With this law, we’re standing by our commitment to Colorado’s disability community by improving accessibility requirements in building codes throughout our state and supporting basic access to public buildings.”

“The heart of this new law 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 still inaccessible,” 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.”

“The Americans with Disabilities Act has been law for over 30 years, yet gaps in enforcing those accessibility requirements continue to act as a barrier to Coloradans with disabilities,” said Stewart. ”As a former local government official, I know this law will benefit our communities by creating a guideline for local governments to follow when it comes to accessibility updates, mitigating lawsuits and making our communities more accessible for all.”

Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1030 will require local governments to ensure that new or substantially amended building codes meet or exceed international accessibility standards. It also requires 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 will 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.

Legislation to Expand Access to Educator Pathways Passes Senate

SB25-154 would expand opportunities to obtain an educator license to address Colorado’s teacher shortage

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, to address Colorado’s teacher shortage by expanding access to educator pathways. 

“As a former school board member and district volunteer, I know that students and educators, especially in rural communities, are hurting as a result of a shortage of teachers,” said Kipp. “Giving aspiring educators more opportunities to pursue a career in teaching will help students and teachers alike succeed in Colorado schools.” 

SB25-154 would reduce excessive barriers to becoming an educator by amending and clarifying assessment requirements for early childhood special education, elementary education, and special education candidates and allowing candidates to demonstrate their qualifications in multiple ways. It would also allow currently licensed teachers to teach subjects that may face even steeper shortages, like special education, without extensive barriers. 

Additionally, the bill would require that state universities who offer courses through the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) program, which provides concurrent enrollment opportunities for qualifying students seeking a career in education, only offer TREP courses at a community college tuition rate. This change would expand opportunities for low-income students to pursue a career in education. 

SB25-154 will now head to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risk

HB25-1009 would mitigate fire risk by requiring removal of vegetation that fuels wildfires

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to mitigate wildfire risk passed the Senate today. 

“Climate change is driving more frequent and intense wildfires, so we must use all the tools at our disposal to protect our communities,” Cutter said. “Mitigation is an important tactic, and this bill would empower property owners and their local governments to remove dead vegetation that often serve as fuel for wildfires.”

HB25-1009 would allow districts that provide fire prevention services to establish programs to help property owners facilitate the removal of dead or dry plant material that fuels fires in accordance with codes adopted by the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board. 

HB25-1009 now returns to the House for consideration of amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Legislation to Ensure Safe Housing and Strengthen Renter Protections Clears Committee

SB25-020 aims to ensure compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, to ensure safe housing and strengthen renter protections by expanding the Attorney General’s and local governments’ authority to initiate and enforce landlord-tenant laws.

SB25-020 would allow the Colorado Attorney General to seek any penalties or use any enforcement mechanisms available under landlord-tenant laws to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, documentation requirements for housing agreements, and protections regarding bed bugs in residential homes. The bill would give counties and municipalities the ability to initiate and enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce.

“In recent years, we have worked hard to strengthen renters’ protections and level the playing field between tenants and landlords,” Gonzales said. “When apartment buildings fall into disrepair because of neglect and mismanagement, it throws tenants’ lives into chaos, jeopardizes safe living conditions, and disrupts their ability to simply get through their day. This bill empowers local governments and the Attorney General to enforce the laws we already have on the books by holding neglectful management companies who have a pattern and practice of disregarding our safe housing laws to account, with the goal of ensuring that all Coloradans can live in safe and healthy housing.”

“For too long, bad actors in property management have ignored tenant complaints, neglected basic repairs, and left communities in crisis. This must end,” said Weissman. “Recent events in Aurora and Denver highlight the urgent need for stronger tools to protect renters. Violations of our state’s safe housing laws cannot be ignored – especially in a housing crisis where every rental unit matters. SB20 is narrowly focused on tackling cases of chronic neglect where tenants have been left without options for far too long.”

SB25-020 would also establish a process where, only in severe cases, residential housing may be placed into receivership – a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The bill outlines the process for receivership cases, including proper notice to parties, powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and the process for ending receiverships.

SB25-020 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Veterinary Education

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

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

“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 Governor’s desk to be signed. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Survivors of Sexual Misconduct Passes Senate Unanimously

The bill would expand Colorado’s Civil Rape Shield Law to mirror protections found in criminal courts

DENVER, CO –  Today, the Senate 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 heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track its progress HERE.

Trio of Michaelson Jenet Bills to Improve Access to Physical & Behavioral Health Care Pass Committee

The bills would increase access to medical equipment, update regulations on psilocybin medicine, and implement new guidelines for electroconvulsive treatment

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today passed three pieces of legislation sponsored by Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, to expand access to physical and behavioral health care. 

“I have always been a fierce advocate for ensuring Coloradans can access the care they need to live a full, healthy life,” said Michaelson Jenet. “Occupational therapists know what their patients need, and HB25-1016 will make a real difference in Coloradans’ lives by allowing them to prescribe critical medical equipment like crutches, oxygen tanks, and wheelchairs. My other two bills that passed today will ensure that Coloradans struggling with severe mental illness have access to innovative and life-saving treatments. These bills are about giving Coloradans the care they need, when they need it.” 

HB25-1016 would allow occupational therapists to prescribe durable medical equipment, like ventilators and wheelchairs, without requiring a prescription from a licensed physician, leading to increased access, better health outcomes, and a higher quality of life for occupational therapy patients. 

HB25-1063 is a bipartisan bill that would make a prescription medication that includes crystalline polymorph psilocybin legal to prescribe, dispense, distribute, possess, use, and market in Colorado upon its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This bill does not allow access to drugs that have not been FDA-approved.

Colorado became the second state in the nation to legalize psychedelic therapy when voters passed Proposition 122 in 2022. In June 2023, the FDA published guidance for researchers investigating the use of psychedelic therapy for medical treatment, stating that psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs have shown promising results when used to treat mood, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders. A Johns Hopkins study found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can relieve major depressive disorder symptoms in some adults for at least a year.

HB25-1070 is a bipartisan bill that would allow minors to receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) from trained providers only if less invasive treatments have failed, two psychiatrists approve the treatment (one of whom must be trained in child and adolescent health), and the minor’s parent/guardian consents. 

Numerous case studies and extensive literature reviews demonstrate that ECT is effective and safe in both typically-developing youth and youth with developmental disabilities, including those under 16 years of age, and can drastically improve the quality of life for those with certain severe mental health disorders. 

All three bills now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track their progress: HB25-1016, HB25-1063, HB25-1070. 

Legislation to Expand and Improve Public Transit Passes Committee

SB25-161 would require RTD to set ambitious goals, expand transit access, and improve accountability and transparency

DENVER, CO – Legislation to improve the Regional Transportation District (RTD) passed the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee yesterday. 

SB25-161, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, would require RTD to adopt new policies to enhance services, boost ridership, and rebuild public trust in the transit system. 

“Colorado deserves a world-class public transit system that is convenient, safe, and reliable,” said Winter. “As Colorado grows, we must be intentional about growing sustainably, keeping services affordable, and making sure that Coloradans can access transit where they live and work. This bill will help unlock the potential of RTD to deliver fast, frequent, and dependable public transportation.” 

“Thousands of Coloradans rely on public transit every day to get to work and school, attend essential appointments, and see their loved ones,” said Jodeh. “For many, unreliable service can mean losing a paycheck or even their job. This bill is about restoring trust in our transit system and ensuring all Coloradans, including my constituents in Aurora, get the safe, efficient transit they need.”

The bill would require RTD to develop an ambitious 10-year strategic plan to expand and improve transit in the Front Range, aligning its goals with state climate goals and enhancing partnerships with local governments. It would increase ridership by directing RTD to expand access to affordable EcoPasses through apartments or employers and streamline enrollment for low-income discounted transit passes. 

SB25-161 would improve transparency and accountability by creating public dashboards for riders to access information on transit performance, safety, and reliability. Finally, the bill would also establish a 13-member RTD Accountability Committee to evaluate RTD’s governance structure, local and state agency representation, and workforce retention, as well as develop recommendations. 

SB25-161 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE. 

Committee Approves Bill to Implement Voter-Approved Protections for Abortion Care & Pregnancy-Related Services

Legislation would update Colorado statute to reflect changes necessitated by the passage of Amendment 79

DENVER, CO – Legislation to implement voter-approved protections for abortion care and pregnancy-related services was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

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, and Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, 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.”
 
“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.”

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 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

Legislation to Expand Access to Educator Pathways Clears Committee

SB25-154 would expand opportunities to obtain an educator license to address Colorado’s teacher shortage

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Education Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, to address Colorado’s teacher shortage by expanding access to educator pathways. 

“As a former school board member and district volunteer, I know that students and educators, especially in rural communities, are hurting as a result of a shortage of teachers,” Kipp said. “Giving aspiring educators more opportunities to pursue a career in teaching will help students and teachers alike succeed in Colorado schools.” 

SB25-154 would reduce excessive barriers to becoming an educator by amending and clarifying assessment requirements for childhood special education, elementary education, and special education candidates and allowing candidates to demonstrate their qualifications in multiple ways. It would also allow currently licensed teachers to teach subjects that may face even steeper shortages, like special education, without extensive barriers. 

Additionally, the bill would require that state universities who offer courses through the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) program, which provides concurrent enrollment opportunities for qualifying students seeking a career in education, only offer TREP courses at a community college tuition rate. This change would expand opportunities for low-income students to pursue a career in education. 

SB25-154 will now head to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE. 

Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risk Passes Senate Committee

HB25-1009 would mitigate fire risk by requiring removal of vegetation that fuels wildfires

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, to mitigate wildfire risk passed the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee today. 

“Climate change is driving more frequent and intense wildfires, so we must use all the tools at our disposal to protect our communities,” Cutter said. “Mitigation is an important tactic, and this bill would empower property owners and their local governments to remove dead vegetation that often serve as fuel for wildfires.”

HB25-1009 would allow districts that provide fire prevention services to establish programs to help property owners facilitate the removal of dead or dry plant material that fuels fires in accordance with codes adopted by the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Board.

HB25-1009 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

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.