Senate Education Committee Advances Bill to Prepare Colorado’s Future Teachers

April 5, 2019

Denver, CO - The Senate Education Committee yesterday voted 4-to-0 to pass SB19-190, Teacher Preparation Program Support, a bill sponsored by Senator Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) to create the “Growing Great Teachers Act” to prepare more Coloradans for the experience of teaching in our public schools. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“As a former teacher myself, I know how critical hands-on training can be, and I am proud of our bipartisan effort to prepare Colorado’s next generation of educators,” said Senator Todd. “We need to make sure that every teacher is adequately prepared to provide the best possible education to our children, and this bill will help prepare the future teachers of our state to teach in the real world by training in a real-world setting.”

SB19-190 would allow institutions of higher education to offer approved educator preparation programs or alternative teacher programs through a contract with the Department of Higher Education. These programs must include strong partnerships with local school districts and offer a full year of financially supported student teaching with a credentialed veteran educator. The bill also creates the Classroom Residency Design Grant Program.

“The Growing Great Teachers Act will innovate our current education programs and equip our future educators with all the tools they need to become excellent teachers after they graduate,” added Senator Todd.

Under this legislation, the veteran instructor must hold a master’s certificate from the Department of Education and will be offered a stipend of at least $2,000 during the year of mentorship. The Department of Education will collaborate with the Department of Higher Education to endorse potential mentor teachers overseeing teacher candidates.

For more on SB19-190, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-190.

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President Garcia’s Bill to Benefit Disabled First Responders Passes Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee

April 4, 2019

Denver, CO — The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted today unanimously to pass HB19-1080, Benefits for First Responders With A Disability, a bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to offer disabled first responders free access to certain outdoor activities. The bill will now head to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

“Our first responders make sacrifices every day to keep Coloradans safe and we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who have suffered a permanent disability on the job,” said President Garcia. “The least we can do for Colorado’s first responders is make it easier for them enjoy Colorado’s outdoor spaces.”

HB19-1080 is a bipartisan bill that would grant first responders with a permanent occupational disability free lifetime small game hunting and fishing licenses. The bill would also give eligible responders a free columbine annual pass for entrance into state parks and the option to participate in a property tax work-off program.

“As a veteran and a nationally registered paramedic, I am incredibly grateful to first responders who have suffered a permanent occupational disability in the line of duty,” added President Garcia. “This is just a small way for us to show them we are thankful for their service.”To learn more about HB19-1080, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1080.

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Colorado Senate Passes Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

April 4, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 20-to-14 to pass SB19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that would prevent gender-based pay disparities and give every Coloradan a fair shot at economic security. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“This monumental day is long overdue. After working on equal pay legislation for years, I am so proud to see this bill pass the Senate and move closer to becoming law in Colorado,” said Senator Danielson. “Every day, I look at my daughter Isabelle and think about what her life will look like when she enters the workforce. Without action, the gender wage gap won’t close until she’s in her forties. This legislation will even the playing field and make sure Isabelle and all women across Colorado are paid the same as men for the same work.”

“Women are more likely to be paid less from the get-go, and you would be hard-pressed to find a woman in Colorado who hasn’t been affected by the wage gap,” said Senator Pettersen. “This bill is about creating economic fairness by changing the conversation and process to ensure we finally close the pay gap in Colorado. We know that the federal law is inadequate and we must act at the state level. I am proud to see the equal pay act pass the Senate.”

On average, white women in Colorado earn 86 cents for every dollar men make for doing the same job. For women of color, the disparities are even more pronounced. According to the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Black and Latina women respectively earn 63.1 and 53.5 cents for every dollar men earn for the same job.

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act would set proactive measures to reduce the gender pay gap by requiring companies to notify all qualified employees about job advancement opportunities, as well as the salary range. Employers would also be forbidden to ask for the previous salary history of a prospective employee. These provisions of the bill will give women leverage to advocate for themselves and ensure that they are not held back by previous wage discrimination.

The bill would also hold bad actors accountable, allowing anyone to take legal action if they believe their wage differential is based on sex. To be exempt, an employer would need to demonstrate a pay gap is based on seniority, merit, or a difference in quantity or quality of work.

For more information about the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085.

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Senator Bridges’ Bipartisan Bills to Support Students Pursuing Postsecondary Degrees and Course Credit Passes Committee

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Senate Education Committee today voted to advance two bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that would provide academic supports and greater opportunity for students pursuing advanced education: SB19-176, Expanding Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities, and HB19-1206, Higher Education Supplemental Academic Instruction.

SB19-176 would expand opportunities for students to earn postsecondary course credit while enrolled in high school. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“This bill will help reduce student debt by making sure that every kid in Colorado can earn college credit in high school. It either helps them get to a degree faster, which means less money, or it ensures they are ready to take on a good paying job right out of high school,” said Senator Bridges.

HB19-1206 would address equity gaps in higher education by ensuring more students have access to supplemental academic instruction. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously and now heads to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

“You shouldn’t have to pay for college classes that don’t count towards a college degree. Both bills make sure that students save time and money earning and ensure that every student, no matter where they come from, has a fair shot at success," added Senator Bridges. 

For more information on these bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-176 and https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1206.

Bill to Protect At-Risk Seniors Passes Senate Health and Human Services Committee

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today voted 5-0 to pass SB19-172, Protect from Unlawful Abandonment and Confinement, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Senator Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) to protect at-risk adults from abuse and neglect. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“It is heartbreaking to see some of the most vulnerable Coloradans suffering, and this measure  will protect seniors and people with disabilities from some really horrific treatment,” said Senator Danielson. “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools to crack down on abuse and neglect.”

“Abandonment and confinement are inhumane and no one, especially not seniors and people with disabilities, should ever be subject to either of these crimes,” said Senator Ginal. “Every person should be treated with dignity, and we need to ensure that law enforcement are aware of the signs and have the means to take action against these heinous crimes.”

Currently, law enforcement cannot prosecute the types of abuse that the bill covers - abandonment and confinement - because they are not yet defined as crimes. The act properly defines these crimes in order to protect senior citizens, disabled adults, and other at-risk Coloradans from abuse.

The bill defines unlawful abandonment as purposeful desertion of an at-risk person. Unlawful confinement is defined as tying, locking up, caging, chaining, or otherwise unreasonably restricting an at-risk person’s movement.

For more information on SB19-172, please visithttps://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-172.

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Senator Lee’s Bill Creating a Mental Health Pilot Program Passes Senate Committee

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted 4-to-0 to pass HB19-1160, Mental Health Facility Pilot Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D- El Paso County). HB19-1160 would create a pilot program to provide mental health services to Coloradans. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

 “It is clear that our current mental health treatment model is not successfully nor comprehensively treating people with physical and mental health needs,” said Senator Lee. “We need to examine new ways to provide people the care they need. This bill will do that by creating a three year pilot program to offer Coloradans treatment that meets their physical and mental healths needs and by doing this we will increase their quality of life.”

The three year pilot program established under HB19-1160 would to provide long term residential care, treatment, and services to Coloradans with both a mental and physical health diagnoses. The program would provide individuals with dual diagnoses a variety of services for a lower cost than current mental health services, effectively closing the existing gap in care and significantly improving the quality of life for those in treatment.

For more information on HB19-1160, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1160.

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Senator Rodriguez’s Bill to Ban the Box on College Applications Unanimously Passes Senate Education Committee

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee today unanimously voted to advance SB19-170, Inquiry Into College Applicant Criminal History. The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver), would prohibit colleges and universities from asking applicants about their criminal or disciplinary histories. The bill now moves to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

“Every Coloradan deserves a fair shot at success, and many times that means access to an advanced education. But too many Coloradans don’t get that shot at a bright future because of past mistakes that resulted in disciplinary action,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Banning the box on college applications will help many hardworking students clear a hurdle that many face through no fault of their own.”

Currently, 89 percent of colleges use information about applicants’ disciplinary history, which includes K-12 suspensions and expulsions, to make their admissions decision. SB19-170 would put an end to this practice in Colorado, helping institutions of higher education get a full picture of each student rather than immediately disqualifying someone with a childhood record.

“We know that when colleges ask to see criminal or disciplinary records, it has a disproportionate impact on children of color, LGBTQ youth, and students living in poverty,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This bill has bipartisan sponsorship, and I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate will come together to support it on the floor.”

SB19-170 would include an exception for convictions or disciplinary actions related to stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence.

For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-170.

Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee voted today X-to-X to advance SB19-170, Inquiry Into College Applicant Criminal History. The bill, sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver), would prohibit colleges and universities from asking applicants about their criminal or disciplinary histories. The bill now moves to X for consideration.

“Every Coloradan deserves a fair shot at success, and many times that means access to an advanced education. But too many Coloradans don’t get that shot at a bright future because of past mistakes that resulted in disciplinary action,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Banning the box on college applications will help many hardworking students clear a hurdle that many face through no fault of their own.”

Currently, 89 percent of colleges use information about applicants’ disciplinary history, which includes K-12 suspensions and expulsions, to make their admissions decision. SB19-170 would put an end to this practice in Colorado, helping institutions of higher education get a full picture of each student rather than immediately disqualifying someone with a childhood record.

“We know that when colleges ask to see criminal or disciplinary records, it has a disproportionate impact on children of color, LGBTQ youth, and students living in poverty,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This bill has bipartisan sponsorship, and I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate will come together to support it on the floor.”

SB19-170 would include an exception for convictions or disciplinary actions related to stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence.
For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-170.

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Senate Passes Bill to Provide Dental Healthcare Services to Pregnant Women

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1038, Dental Services For Pregnant Women On Children's Basic Health Plan Plus, a bill sponsored by Senators Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) and Tammy Story (D-Conifer) to increase access to dental care for children and pregnant women. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for signature. 

“I come from a family that was very aware of the importance of dental healthcare. I know that diet and hormonal changes in pregnant women make them at risk for a number of serious dental health issues,” said Senator Ginal. “This bill will improve a woman’s overall health and pregnancy outcomes, as well as the health of newborns.”

“The number one reason cited by pregnant women for why they don’t go to the dentist is a lack of affordable insurance options. That’s a serious issue because poor oral hygiene can have lasting impacts on the health of unborn babies,” said Senator Story. “We have an opportunity to provide dental health coverage to those Coloradans who need it the most, and I am proud that this is well on its way to becoming law.”

Hundreds of pregnant women who are insured through the Child Health Plan Plus – a state public low-cost health insurance program – do not have access to dental healthcare. HB19-1038 will expand access to dental care to allenrollees, including children and pregnant women.

The Colorado House of Representatives voted 62-1-1 to pass HB19-1038 on February 25, 2019. For more information on this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1038.

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Bill to Prioritize Health and Safety of Coloradans, Empower Local Communities Passes Final Vote in the Senate

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously in favor of concurring with the House Amendments to SB19-181, Protect Public Welfare Oil and Gas Operations. The Senate then voted to repass SB19-181, as amended, by a vote of 19-16. The bill originally passed the Senate chamber in mid-March, but needed a second approval due to additional amendments added during debate in the House of Representatives. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.

Reforming the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to prioritize public health and safety is a top priority for Democrats this session. In addition to a robust stakeholder process with all sides, the legislation was debated for more than 55 hours over six public committee hearings and floor debates in both the Senate and House chambers. The sponsors, Speaker KC Becker and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, amended the bill 25 times throughout the committee and debate process, accepting feedback from all stakeholders in order to make the bill better.

“Meaningful reforms to our oil and gas laws are long overdue,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “This bill will ensure that public health and safety are the top priority in regulating oil and gas development in Colorado, and will empower local governments with the tools they need to address the concerns of their individual communities. I’m extremely proud of all the progress we made in both chambers to craft the best possible policy for Coloradans, and I look forward to Governor Polis signing this bill into law.”

The bill is the most significant and meaningful reform to oil and gas regulations in over 60 years. The bill seeks to provide peace of mind for Coloradans by clarifying that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s mission is to regulate, not foster, the industry. It will empower local governments to take control over what is happening in their backyards and equip them with the tools they need to stand up for their community’s best interests.

To learn more about SB19-181 and the bill’s amendments, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-181.

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Colorado State Senate Votes Nearly Unanimously to Pass Senator Donovan’s Bill to Address the High Cost of Healthcare

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 34-to-1 to pass SB19-004, Address High-cost Health Insurance, a bill sponsored by Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) to address the high costs of healthcare in Colorado. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

Describing previous legislation to address the high cost of healthcare on the Senate floor, Senator Donovan said, “year after year, different solutions were presented and different ideas were illuminated… and often those bills met their fate in committee. The problem only got worse as we battled and presented a new idea, with a new angle, from a different approach… what we also saw was that it crept out of the boundaries of Senate District 5 and the High Country and is now touching every single one of our districts.”

“This solution will have the power to take our vote and our support of policy, and turn that into the ability of individuals across this state to join in a shared voice and go to their local healthcare provider and say ‘you must address the cost we are paying. We are speaking as one voice because we’ve been empowered by our General Assembly to do so,’” added Senator Donovan.

SB19-004 will strengthen our laws to allow healthcare cooperatives to incorporate consumer protections like coverage for preexisting conditions. The legislation will help lower healthcare costs by encouraging consumers to negotiate rates on a collective basis directly with providers.

In support of SB19-004, Senator Jim Smallwood (R-Parker) said on the floor: “I am voting yes… This is now a bill that, in my opinion, tries to modernize the rules around these healthcare cooperatives as well as, according to county commissioners in those areas, gets the state government out of the way in allowing the formation of these co-ops... I appreciate all the work the sponsor and stakeholders have done in making this a very good bill.”  

Not only did SB-004 earn broad support from the State Senate, 29 Senators - both Democrats and Republicans - from across Colorado also signed on to the bill as co-sponsors including Jeff Bridges, Don Coram, Lois Court, Larry Crowder, Jessie Danielson, Steve Fenberg, Mike Foote, Joann Ginal, Julie Gonzales, Dennis Hisey, Chris Holbert, Pete Lee, Vickie Marble, Dominick Moreno, Brittany Pettersen, Kevin Priola, Bob Rankin, Robert Rodriguez, Ray Scott, Jim Smallwood, Jerry Sonnenberg, Tammy Story, Jack Tate, Angela Williams, Faith Winter, Rachel Zenzinger, and Leroy Garcia.   

Senator Donovan is also the sponsor, along with Representative Dylan Roberts (D-Avon), of HB19-1004, a bill that would study how to leverage existing state infrastructure to create a publicly supported health insurance option.These bills, combined with her legislation to create a reinsurance program to help pay high-cost insurance claims (HB19-1168), will result in lower prices across the individual market and make health insurance more affordable for hardworking Coloradans across the state.

“Too many families are forced to make tough choices when it comes to healthcare, and we need to empower people to come together and take action if we’re going to succeed in lowering healthcare costs for Coloradans, particularly those in rural communities,” said Senator Donovan. “There is power in numbers, and by elevating the local voice we can provide much needed relief to those who live in areas with few options, high prices, and little competition.”

Senator Danielson’s Bill to Honor Firefighters Passes the Colorado State Senate

April 3, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 32-to-3 to pass SB19-167, Honor Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) to create a Colorado professional fire fighters license plate. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“This bill will help honor the professional firefighters who work day and night to keep us safe,” said Senator Danielson. “We must have their backs whenever we can, and SB19-167 will help us honor the sacrifices our professional firefighters make on behalf of our communities.”

To be issued the plate, applicants would have to pay two $25 fees as well as make a donation to a nonprofit organization selected by the Department of Revenue.

For more information on SB19-167, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-167.

Senator Fields’ Bipartisan Bill to Increase Protections for Human Trafficking Victims Passes Committee

April 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to pass SB19-185, Protections for Minor Human Trafficking, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to increase protections for minors who are victims of human trafficking. The bill now heads to the Committee of Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

“This bill is about protecting some of our most vulnerable Coloradans – our children. I am proud to have bipartisan support on this important issue,” said Senator Fields. “While we need to do more to prevent human trafficking from taking place altogether, this bill provides training for law enforcement and creates a safe haven for victims so they can receive the treatment, care, and support they need.

SB19-185 would clarify the definition in the “Colorado Children’s Code” concerning victims of human traffick of a minor for involuntary servitude and for sexual servitude. It would also create immunity for a violation of a prostitution-related offense if probable cause exists to believe that a minor was a victim of either human trafficking of a minor for involuntary servitude or for sexual servitude.

“This bill goes a long way to achieving the beginning of a cultural shift in caring for the wellbeing of juvenile victims and survivors of human trafficking,” said Senator Paul Lundeen (R-Monument), a Senator co-sponsor.

The bill also requires a minor who engages in prostitution-related conduct to be referred to the county department of human or social services or child abuse. If a law enforcement officer encounters such a minor, and there is probable cause to believe that minor was a victim of human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude, the officer shall report the suspected violation to the county department of human or social services or the child abuse hotline.

For more information on SB19-185, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-185.

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Senator Danielson’s Bill to Increase Voting Rights for Coloradans with Disabilities Unanimously Passes Senate Committee

April 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted unanimously to pass SB19-202, Voting Rights for Voters With Disabilities, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Jefferson County) to increase ballot access for voters with disabilities. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“The right to vote is essential to our democracy – and no disability should prevent any Coloradan from exercising this right,” said Senator Danielson. “Although Colorado has the most inclusive and reliable voting system in the country, there are still improvements to make. This is an important step forward in extending voting rights to all Colorado citizens.”

The bill requires the Secretary of State to establish procedures to enable voters with disabilities to independently mark a paper ballot using non-visual or low-vision access technology. This would include voting at polling locations and for mail-in ballots.

“This measure is particularly important to blind and low-vision voters so that they have equal access to the polls and can vote a private ballot,” said Scott LaBarre with the National Federation of the Blind.

“Our democracy works best when everyone participates, and we need to do more to make voting more accessible to every Coloradan,” added Senator Danielson.

For more information on SB19-202, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-202.

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Senate Judiciary Committee Unanimously Passes Bill to Expand Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products to Women in Custody

April 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously voted to advance HB19-1224, Free Menstrual Hygiene Products in Custody, a bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) to provide free menstrual hygiene products to women in custody. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

“Women in custody should not be forced to barter for hygiene products or have to go without,” said Senator Winter. “This bill is about restoring dignity to women in Colorado, and making sure that women are treated with the respect they deserve.”

Currently, state prisons are already required to provide menstrual hygiene products. While some county jails provide limited menstrual hygiene products to people in custody, many still do not. This bill would require local jails, multijurisdictional jails, and municipal jails to provide such products to people in custody at no expense to the people in custody.

HB19-1224 passed the House of Representatives unanimously. For more information about the bill, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1224.

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Senator Bridges’ Bipartisan Electric Vehicle Bill Clears Senate

April 1, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 20-to-15 to pass HB19-1198, Electric Vehicle Grant Fund, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) to modify uses of the electric vehicle grant fund in order to encourage electric vehicle usage in Colorado. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.   “Electric vehicles will play an important part in our efforts to combat climate change and protect our Colorado way of life,” said Senator Bridges. “By making our state friendlier to electric vehicles, more Coloradans will invest in them, helping to protect Colorado’s land, water, and air for generations to come.”   HB19-1198 would allow the electric vehicle grant fund to be used to administer grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations as well as to offset station operating costs. It would allow the fund to prioritize grants based on criteria set by the Colorado energy office and would also require the fund’s money to be continuously appropriated to that office.   The Colorado House of Representatives voted 39-23 to pass HB19-1198 on March 8, 2019. To learn more about HB19-1198, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1198.

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Senator Winter’s Prescription Drug Transparency Bill Passes Senate

March 29, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate voted today 22-to-13 to pass HB19-1131, Prescription Drug Cost Education, a bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D- Westminster) to increase transparency on wholesale drug prices. The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.

“Drug prices continue to rise in Colorado, while patients have no idea or explanation from big pharmaceutical companies as to why they can no longer afford their medicine,” said Senator Winter. “We are working to create more transparency for Coloradans when it comes to the high price of lifesaving medications that too many are struggling to afford.”

HB19-1131 would require drug manufacturers and wholesalers to provide the wholesale acquisition cost of a prescription drug in writing to anyone who is receiving information about the drug. By doing so, this bill aims to inform everyone of the astounding difference in price between wholesale drugs and the costs paid by Colorado patients.

“We are working hard to offer more clarity and lower costs for Coloradans who rely on prescription drugs,” added Senator Winter. “This bill is a step toward better and more affordable healthcare in our state.”

To learn more about HB19-1131, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1131.

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Senator Rodriguez’s Bill to Reduce Exposure to Surgical Smoke Signed Into Law

March 29, 2019

Denver, CO – Governor Polis recently signed into law HB19-1041, Require Surgical Smoke Protection Policies, a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) to prevent human exposure to surgical smoke through the use of a surgical smoke evacuation system during any planned surgical procedure that is likely to generate surgical smoke.

“Surgical medical devices can emit harmful toxic gas, and enacting surgical smoke protection policies like this one will prevent these emissions in hospitals,” said Senator Rodriguez. “This bill will help keep patients and healthcare workers safe from harmful emissions from surgical equipment."

HB19-1041 will implement a surgical smoke evacuation system during any surgical procedure that is likely to generate surgical smoke. Surgical smoke contains toxic gases as well as microscopic particles that can elude surgical masks. These emissions have been shown to cause respiratory problems for those who inhale them.

“I’m pleased to be able to work with Representative Buckner on this bill to decrease the occupational hazards for surgical nurses and physicians,” added Senator Rodriguez. “I’d especially like to credit the nurses who brought this need to our attention during the last legislative session.”

HB19-1041, sponsored by Representative Janet Buckner (D-Arapahoe), passed the Colorado House of Representatives by a vote of 53-11 on January 28, 2019. It passed the Colorado State Senate by a vote of 34-1 on March 14, 2019.

To learn more about HB19-1041, please visit http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1041.

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Colorado State Senate Passes Lifesaving Extreme Risk Protection Order Bill

March 28, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 18-to-17 to pass HB19-1177, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, a bill sponsored by Senators Lois Court (D-Denver) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that will save lives by allowing family members and law enforcement to request a court order to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is deemed a danger to themselves or to others. The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration of amendments.

“After years of working to pass similar legislation, I am proud that the Senate has finally voted to advance a commonsense gun safety bill that will ultimately save the lives of Coloradans and law enforcement officers,” said Senator Court. “Thoughts and prayers don’t save lives, but extreme risk protection orders will, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

“This bill is supported by an overwhelming majority of Coloradans, and outside of this building, it is not controversial,” said Senator Pettersen. “We passed this bill and did what is right for our law enforcement, domestic violence survivors, our kids who just want to feel safe when they go to school, and the countless family members who have lost someone to unnecessary gun violence.”  

HB19-1177 is named in honor of Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish III who was killed on duty in 2017 by an individual whose mental health concerns were well-known to others around him. This legislation would give law enforcement and family members the opportunity to seek a temporary order for someone who appears at risk of dangerous behavior.

To successfully block firearm access, a petitioner would have to demonstrate a preponderance of evidence that the individual poses a significant threat to themselves or others by possessing a firearm. After a petition is filed, a court would place a temporary order for up to two weeks until a hearing determines whether a full protection order is appropriate. A full protection order could then be approved for up to 364 days.

In addition to hours of debate in committee and on the Senate floor, this bill also went through an extensive stakeholder process with feedback from law enforcement, mental health and gun violence prevention advocates, and legislators. It passed the Colorado House of Representatives on third reading 38-to-25. If passed and signed into law, Colorado would be the 15th state to enact ERPO legislation.

For more information on HB19-1177, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1177.

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Senate Votes to Advance FY 2019-2020 Budget

March 28, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate voted today 29-6 to pass the FY 2019-2020 Long Bill on third reading. The budget will now head to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“A budget is a reflection of our state’s values, and I believe we can confidently say to any Coloradan, in every corner of the state, that this budget has victories for everyone,” said President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I am so grateful to the members of the Joint Budget Committee who worked tirelessly for months on this budget and had to make some very difficult decisions to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and in the best interests of all Coloradans.”

“Shortly after November’s election, the Joint Budget Committee went to work – dedicating months to figuring out what in the budget works, what does not, and what we need to prioritize in order to get to where we are today,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “While there is still more work to do, I’m proud that we were able to open up the budget process to the public, incorporate bipartisan amendments, and stand up for our priorities. I am confident that when the process is over, this budget will help our state thrive.”

“Writing the budget was very difficult, but it is the best piece of legislation that I have ever had the honor of working on,” said JBC Member Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This budget, which passed with bipartisan support, represents a process of negotiation, accommodation, and collaboration. It not only sets a prudent foundation for Colorado’s prosperity, but it tells the story of how Colorado at her best gets the job done. We fiercely stand for our independent values while constructively standing together for our shared future.”

“I want to thank our members of the Joint Budget Committee who work on the budget every single day. We still have work to do, but I am extremely proud of this budget and the priorities we will deliver to the people of Colorado” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder).

The version of the bill passed by the Senate contains eight amendments, including J.072, a compromise between Democrats and Republicans  to increase transportation funding. The other amendments that passed include J.054, J.061, J.046, J.053, J.038, J.044, and J.062. To learn more about the long bill and the amendments that were adopted, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB19-207.

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JBC Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger's Remarks Ahead of Passage of the Budget

March 28, 2019

Denver, CO – Joint Budget Committee Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Aravada) today delivered the following remarks ahead of the passage of the state's budget:

As you know, this is my first year on the Joint Budget Committee. When I was selected for the job, everyone told me what power I was going to have. “The all powerful JBC” kind of like the Wizard of Oz, or the captain of the ship of state. What they don’t know, is that the power of the captain is nothing compared to the power of the sea. The reality of the budget is a vast and treacherous ocean. It has its own life and the Captain does not choose where the rocks and reefs will be. Our job is to watch for storms ahead and chart the best possible course we can through the waves. And of course they never really give you the keys to the ship. They give you this tiny dingy running out ahead, and I share it with five other captains.

But it’s been an incredible experience and has shown me the best of what a deliberative body can aspire to be. This budget is a statement of priorities and principles, and it does not reflect a dictum, but a dialog. This budget contains the reasoned and shared values of many distinct viewpoints. It is not the exact plan any of one of us would have arrived at on our own, because it is not a plan for being alone—our budget necessarily speaks to what we can do together. This is Colorado saying who we are and what we want to be, and what we are willing to invest to achieve it. 

I am grateful for the work of my colleagues on the panel, and for the dedication of the departments. I am endlessly amazed by the talent of our nonpartisan JBC staff who truly give their lives to this work, and I am so proud that this year for the first time we opened the doors of the committee chamber and let in the voices of the public to share their stories and their authentic will for the stewardship of their tax dollars. Getting here took the effort, both of our members from my side of the aisle (South of 14th Avenue), and here on the other side of the aisle (North of 14th Avenue).

Working between the buildings, between the chambers, and between the floors, we have created the space for full day kindergarten while paying down the negative factor. We increased higher education funding and greatly improved transportation funding. We have added judges and state troopers. We helped veterans and seniors, our families and our children, our sick and our troubled, our farms and our cities alike, and we honored the Constitution by balancing our budget within the resources we have. 

There was no magic to getting it done. I know we were creative. I think at times we were clever. But I don’t think we were ever geniuses. We got there through hard and sometimes painful ways. We cut in places deeper than we would have wanted to. We deferred projects we would have rather see done. There were moments when I looked at priorities I have fought for and realized I was going to be the one to tell myself no. We all let go of pieces that would just not fit the puzzle, but in the end 32.2 Billion pieces came together. 

56 Capital maintenance projects were approved. There was a 3% raise for State employees. We increased provider rates by at least 1%. We provided $1 Million for family planning.

The budget you have before you represents a process of negotiation, accommodation, and collaboration. It not only sets a prudent foundation for Colorado’s prosperity, but it tells the story of how Colorado at her best gets the job done. We fiercely stand for our independent values while constructively standing together for our shared future. 

On this, the hardest, best piece of legislation it has ever been my honor to work upon, I ask for an aye vote on Senate Bill 207.

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