Senator Pettersen’s Freestanding Emergency Departments Bill Passes Senate

April 12, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 24-to-8 with 3 excused to pass HB19-1010, Freestanding Emergency Departments Licensure, a bill sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) to make healthcare more transparent and affordable by creating a new license for specific health facilities. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

“Coloradans have demanded that we do more to improve healthcare in our state, and this legislation is part our efforts to improve our healthcare system,” said Senator Pettersen. “By creating this new license for freestanding emergency departments, we can increase transparency and hold these departments to the high standard of care that we do for Colorado’s emergency rooms.”

The bill creates a new license – the Freestanding Emergency Department License – for the department of public health and environment to issue to specific types of health facilities. Qualifying health facilities must offer emergency care, may offer primary and urgent care services, and can either be affiliated with or independent of a hospital if they are more than 250 yards away from it. Community clinics that serve an underserved population in the state will be exempt from the licenses.

HB19-1010 passed the House of Representatives on third reading by a vote of 54-9-1 on February 15, 2019. For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1010.

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Senate Passes Candidate Dependent Care Expenses Bill

April 12, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 26-to-6 with 3 excused to pass SB19-229, Campaign Contributions Dependent Care Expenses, a bill sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Senator Mike Foote (D-Lafayette) to reimburse candidates for dependent care costs shouldered during their campaign. The bill now heads to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“We should be encouraging people from all backgrounds to run for office, and this bill is a commonsense way to allow for candidates with families to throw their hat in the ring,” said Senator Winter. “By making it easier for parents to run for office, we can get better solutions for hardworking Colorado families.”

“If we are going to address the issues facing Colorado families, parents need to have a seat at the policymaking table. This bill does exactly that: By allowing campaign funds to be used to pay for childcare, we can mitigate the burden facing parents who run for office,” said Senator Foote.

SB19-229 would allow a candidate committee to spend money received during the campaign to reimburse a candidate who spent necessary funds caring for their children while on the campaign trail. The funds being reimbursed must have been directly connected to campaign activities. Campaign expenses linked to dependent care must be disclosed by a candidate committee along with their other expenditures.

For more information on SB19-229, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-229.

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Electric Scooter Regulation Bill Unanimously Passes Senate Committee

April 12, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee yesterday voted unanimously to pass HB19-1221, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) to strengthen regulations for electric scooters. This bill now moves to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

“More people are using electric scooters to get where they need to go, which is great for traffic and our environment,” said Senator Bridges. “However, we need to update our laws so that roads and sidewalks are safe for both riders and pedestrians. We need to get these scooters off our sidewalks, and that’s exactly what this bill does.”

“Scooters are vehicles, not toys, and if we’re going to keep our roads safe, we need to make sure we’re treating them as such so that we are able to protect everyone’s safety,” said Senator Pettersen. “But we should also encourage their use and make sure that we are considering them as we develop a long-term transportation strategy.”  

This bill upgrades electric scooters from their current definition as toys to vehicles, authorizing their use on roadways and giving riders the same rights and duties as those with other electric-assisted vehicles.

For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1221.

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Senate Passes Bill to “Ban the Box” on Job Applications

April 12, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 20-to-12 with 3 excused to pass HB19-1025, Limits on Job Applicant Criminal History Inquiries, a bill sponsored by Senators Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) and Mike Foote (D-Lafayette) to prohibit employers from asking about criminal histories on initial job applications. The bill is now headed to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

“People make mistakes, and they deserve the opportunity to move on with their lives after they have answered for their crimes. The best way to help these folks rehabilitate and reenter society is by making it easier for them to find a job and work hard to rebuild their lives,” said Senator Rodriguez. “I’m proud that the Senate took this important step to ‘ban the box’ and give Coloradans a second chance.”

“Too often, our job application processes prevent Coloradans with criminal records from making it beyond the initial application stage,” said Senator Foote. “Once you make amends for a crime, I do not believe that history should weigh you down forever, especially on every first impression. Giving people this chance to compete will allow them to remake their futures and contribute to our communities.”

This bill would prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications as well as from advertising or stating that individuals with criminal histories cannot apply for certain positions. Exemptions to the legislation include certain jobs where criminal histories are not allowed, positions for which the law requires criminal history record checks or employer is trying to encourage employment of people with criminal histories.

HB19-1025 passed the House of Representatives on third reading by a vote of 42-22 on February 28, 2019. For more information about this bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1025.

Joint Budget Committee Finalizes Bipartisan Colorado State Budget, Delivering for Colorado and Securing $300 Million for Transportation Funding

April 11, 2019

Denver, CO – The Joint Budget Committee today voted to finalize the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, securing more than $300 million for transportation funding, which begins on July 1, 2019. The budget now heads to both the Senate and House for approval of the Conference Committee report. Once approved, it will head to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

The JBC wrote this bipartisan budget based on the economic forecast presented by the Colorado Legislative Council, a nonpartisan research group within the General Assembly, that predicted moderate growth through 2020. Given the economic outlook, Democrats developed a fiscally responsible budget that delivered on promises like making healthcare more affordable, investing in education and transportation, and strengthening economic security for Coloradans across the state.

“We began this session with an ambitious agenda to tackle issues like healthcare, education, and economic security, and I am confident that this budget delivers on those priorities,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “By making these necessary investments, we will be able to help hardworking Coloradans across this state without sacrificing our state’s long-term fiscal standing.”  

“Coloradans can be proud of the responsible, bipartisan budget that we are putting forth,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo, vice-chair of the JBC. “This budget keeps southern Colorado and our entire state on the right track. That’s why we are making significant investments in education, transportation, mental health and behavioral health and other priorities.”

“The decisions made today reflect input and compromise from both chambers of the legislature and members of the public,” said JBC Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “After months of deliberation and hard work, this bipartisan budget works within our means to deliver on issues that matter to Coloradans in every community.”

“This is a carefully crafted budget,” said JBC Member Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. “While the White House drives economically harmful trade wars, my colleagues and I put forward a budget that ensures kids and parents have access to full-day kindergarten and makes historic investments in education and transportation.”

In addition to hundreds of millions of dollars for transportation, the FY19-20 budget makes investments to help lower the cost of healthcare, improve K-12 education and make higher education more affordable, and help Coloradans achieve economic security by:

• Holding tuition flat at state institutions of higher education
• Providing $175 million to implement full-day kindergarten
• Freeing up preschool slots for Colorado’s youngest learners
• Allocating an additional $77 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor

For more information about the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-207.

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Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Lee’s Bill to Expand School Safety Grant Program

April 12, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously (32-0-3) to pass SB19-179, Enhance School Safety Incident Response Grant Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D-El Paso County) that would update and improve an existing program designed to increase school safety. The bill now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“There is nothing more important than protecting the safety of our students and educators, and the expansion of this program will help ensure they are safe by teaching more schools how to best respond to emergency situations,” said Senator Lee.  

In 2018, then-Representative Lee passed HB18-1413, a bill that created a program to provide grants to nonprofits organizations experienced with school safety training and working with law enforcement for research and training in how to respond to school shootings and other emergencies. SB19-179 will improve this program by appropriating an additional $1,150,000 to the department of public safety for its administration.

For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-179.

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Senator Moreno’s Tuition Assistance Bills Pass Education Committee

April 11, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate Education Committee voted today to pass two bills sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to help Colorado youth afford higher education.

“My family couldn’t afford the high cost of tuition at a private university, but I was lucky enough to have most of my costs covered by generous scholarship programs,” said Senator Moreno. “That’s why I’m committed to making it easier for all Coloradans to afford higher education, regardless of their circumstances. These bills will help expand tuition assistance and scholarship programs to undocumented students and formerly incarcerated youth, giving more Coloradans access to a college degree and a shot at a bright future.”

HB19-1196, Financial Aid for Students with In-state Tuition, passed by a vote of 3-to-2. Currently, students without lawful immigration status can be eligible for in-state tuition at Colorado institutions of higher education if they meet certain requirements. This bill makes these students eligible for certain financial assistance programs offered by the Department of Higher Education. It is now headed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration before the Senate.

SB19-231, Colorado Second Chance Scholarship, passed by a vote of 3-to-2. This bill would create a scholarship program in the Department of Higher Education for formerly incarcerated youth. This legislation would create an advisory board to establish scholarship criteria and select recipients, as well as appoint a program coordinator to counsel and support scholarship recipients. It is now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

For more information about SB19-231, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-231. For more information about HB19-1196, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1196.

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Senate Unanimously Passes President Garcia’s Bipartisan Bill to Benefit Disabled First Responders

April 10, 2019

Denver CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1080, Benefits for First Responders With A Disability, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to offer disabled first responders free access to certain outdoor venues and activities including a lifetime small game hunting and fishing license and a free annual pass to state parks. This bill is now headed to Governor Polis to be signed into law.

“As a veteran and paramedic myself, I have an enormous amount of respect and gratitude for those who serve, and especially for those who have been injured as a result of their service,” said President Garcia. “I am proud that the entire Senate has honored the service and sacrifice of our first responders by advancing this bill to help them enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors.”

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. It also passed the House of Representatives unanimously on February 26, 2019.

To learn more about HB19-1080, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1080.

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Senator Ginal’s Animal Cruelty Bill Unanimously Passes the Senate Judiciary Committee

April 9, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate Judiciary Committee recently voted unanimously to pass HB19-1092, Animal Ban For Cruelty To Animals Conviction, a bill sponsored by Senator Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) to prevent animal cruelty in Colorado and get animal abusers the mental help they need. The bill now moves to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

“Those with a history of cruelty to animals oftentimes go on to commit other forms of violent crimes,” said Senator Ginal. “This bill will protect animals from abusive situations and prevent offenders from committing other violent crimes by offering them the mental health treatment they need.”

Animal abuse often coincides with domestic violence, and it is closely related to other types of crimes and violence such as child, partner, and elder abuse. This legislation would help give people who have abused or tortured animals the resources and support needed to reduce future risks of harming humans and other animals.

HB19-1092 would give judges the ability to prohibit adults and juveniles convicted of animal abuse misdemeanors from owning, possessing, caring for, or residing with an animal for anywhere from one to five years, ending patterns of repeat animal abuse and alleviating animal suffering.

For more information on HB19-1092, please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1092.

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Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network Celebrates the 2019 Immigrant Liberty Awards

with U.S. Representative Jason Crow, Colorado Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, and Colorado State Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez

Honorees include Harry Budisidharta; State Senator Julie Gonzales; and Juan Pérez Saéz.

Westminster, Colorado, April 9, 2019—The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is celebrating the 14^th annual Immigrant Liberty Awards on Friday, April 12, 2019 to honor Asian Pacific Development Center CEO Harry Budisidharta; Colorado State Senator Julie Gonzales; and The Wilderness Society’s Energy and Climate Campaign Manager Juan Pérez Saéz.

Approximately 400 guests will attend the annual event at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for Performing Arts to celebrate the immense contributions these exceptional advocates have made to advance the rights and well-being of immigrants and refugees in Colorado, and to raise funds to support RMIAN’s life-changing legal services for immigrant adults and children. Former clients of RMIAN will be present to share their incredible stories of courage and perseverance aligned with the theme of the evening: “We All Belong.”

Honoree and Colorado State Senator Julie Gonzales said, “Even as immigrants and asylum and refugee applicants are under unprecedented attack by our government, it is important to celebrate our victories and take time to build community. I am deeply humbled to be recognized along such fierce leaders, and am excited to continue fighting for access to justice for all alongside RMIAN.”

RMIAN also will honor the Denver office of law firm WilmerHale with the Pro Bono Service Award, in recognition of the firm’s leadership in providing extraordinary pro bono legal services through RMIAN to immigrant parents separated from their children at the height of last summer’s family’s separation crisis.

“This year has seen relentless attacks on the immigrant community nationwide and in Colorado, from the civil immigration detention center in Aurora expanding to detain an additional 400 individuals on any given day, to the surge of asylum-seeking families and children placed in fast-tracked immigration proceedings before the Denver Immigration Court. Against this devastating backdrop, this year’s honorees and their collective work for a more just society provide powerful inspiration and hope,” said RMIAN Executive Director Mekela Goehring. 

U.S. Representative Jason Crow will welcome a former RMIAN client at the event. “The community I represent is stronger and more vibrant because of the contributions of immigrants. As we face an administration that deals in fear-mongering and promotes draconian immigration practices, the work of RMIAN is more important than ever," said Crow. "As a member of Congress, the promise I make is to never stop fighting for your communities and the comprehensive immigration reform this country so desperately needs."

Mayor Michael B. Hancock will share remarks to open the awards ceremony. In 2017, Mayor Hancock signed Executive Order 142 to establish the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund to provide immigration legal representation for Denver residents. As a grantee of the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund, RMIAN has been able to hire two full-time attorneys dedicated to representing Denver residents who are ensnared in immigration enforcement actions and detained at the Aurora immigration detention center.

“Denver is proud to work alongside these outstanding leaders to support our immigrant residents, ensure that they feel safe, and promote due process and access to justice for vulnerable members of our communities,” said Mayor Hancock. “In the face of a continuing push at the federal level to target immigrants with inhumane policies, it’s never been more important to further our ability to meet a core mission—to preserve and protect families and children living in Denver and cities across the country.”

Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser will welcome guests to the reception. “RMIAN is a terrific organization that provides legal services for immigrants here in Colorado, helping us welcome and support valued members of our community.  As Attorney General, I look forward to working with RMIAN to ensure the fair and legal treatment of immigrants, recognizing the contributions they make to our society,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser.

Colorado’s Secretary of State Jena Griswold will offer remarks to celebrate the honorees. "I congratulate this year's Immigrant Liberty Awards honorees and commend the tireless work of RMIAN to support immigrants and refugees in Colorado," said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. "As Secretary of State for Colorado, I recognize the immeasurable contributions by immigrants to our economy and culture, and I am committed to foster a prosperous and just society for all."

This year’s event will include dinner, a silent and live auction, and an awards ceremony.

For more information about tickets or how to become an event sponsor, please contact libertyawards@rmian.org or visit www.rmian.org.

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About RMIAN

RMIAN is a nonprofit organization that serves low-income adults and children in immigration proceedings. RMIAN promotes knowledge of legal rights, provides effective representation to ensure due process, works to improve detention conditions, and promotes a more humane immigration system, including alternatives to detention.

Senate Unanimously Advances Bill to Offer Supplemental Academic Instruction

April 9, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate yesterday voted unanimously to advance HB19-1206, Higher Education Supplemental Academic Instruction, a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) that would help more students succeed in pursuing advanced degrees. The bill now moves to Governor Polis for his signature.

“Everyone learns at different paces and in different ways. This bill gives students in need of further academic instruction the support they need to thrive in college-level classes,” said Senator Bridges. “Right now, students pay college-level prices for classes that don’t count toward their college degree. This leads to more people dropping out and fewer people graduating. Giving college credit to students in need of additional help will give more Coloradans the fair shot at success they deserve.”

HB19-1206 authorizes all 4-year institutions to offer supplemental academic instruction to students who need additional support to be successful in college-level courses. This bill would address equity gaps in higher education by ensuring more students have access to supplemental academic instruction. On March 19, 2019, it passed the House of Representatives on third reading by a vote of 63-2.For more information on this bill, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1206.

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Senate Committee Advances Senator Williams’ Bill to Protect Colorado Renters

April 9, 2019

Denver, CO – Yesterday, the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee voted 4-to-1 to advance HB19-1118, Time Period to Cure Lease Violations, a bill sponsored by Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver) that would increase the amount of time a tenant has to cure a lease violation before their landlord terminates the lease. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

“The cost of living continues to climb and more hardworking Colorado families are struggling to make ends meet. No one should have to choose between paying for a prescription, putting food on the table, or making rent,” said Senator Williams. “This bill will protect renters by extending the grace period for minimal lease violations, giving tenants a longer period of time to resolve any issues before a landlord seeks eviction.”

Landlords are currently required to provide a tenant three days to cure a violation for unpaid rent or any other condition of a lease agreement, other than a substantial violation, before the landlord can initiate eviction proceedings. Existing law also requires three days' notice prior to a tenancy being terminated for a subsequent violation of a condition or covenant of a lease agreement.

HB19-1118 would increase the amount of time required to cure a violation for unpaid rent from three to 10 days before the landlord can terminate the lease and initiate eviction proceedings. The increase would also impact that amount of time to cure a first violation of any other condition or covenant of a lease agreement, other than a substantial violation.

For more information on HB19-1118, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1118.

Dependent Care Expenses Bill Passes Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee

April 8, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted 3-to-2 to pass SB19-229, Campaign Contributions Dependent Care Expenses, a bill sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Mike Foote (D-Lafayette) to reimburse candidates for dependent care costs shouldered during their campaigns. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

“We know that our democracy works best when we have a diversity of views and backgrounds at the table,” said Senator Winter. “I have spent 14 years recruiting women to run for office, and oftentimes the first question asked is 'Can I have a family and do this?' This bill makes it easier for parents to run for office.”

“Colorado is better off when those who are suited for office can run regardless of circumstance,” said Senator Foote. “By mitigating the burden of dependent care expenses on the campaign trail, we can encourage more parents to run for office. Parents understand the issues facing families and can help find solutions to improve the lives of Coloradans across this state.”

SB19-229 would allow a candidate committee to spend money received during the campaign to reimburse a candidate who spent necessary funds caring for their children while on the campaign trail. The funds being reimbursed must have been directly connected to campaign activities. Campaign expenses linked to dependent care must be disclosed by a candidate committee along with their other expenditures.

“As parents, we understand the difficulty of raising young children and running for office, and we know this bill will make a real difference,” said the Senate sponsors.For more information on SB19-229, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-229.

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Senator Moreno’s Bill to Support Refugee Services Program Passes Senate Committee

April 8, 2019

Denver, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today voted 3-to-2 to advance SB19-230, Colorado Refugee Services Program, a bill sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to codify the Colorado refugee services program. The bill now heads to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

“Our state has a proud history of supporting refugee resettlement. Families come to us from across the world to escape persecution and tragedy, bringing with them a unique perspective and different backgrounds that make Colorado stronger,” said Senator Moreno. “The Colorado Refugee Services Program is an important part of this process, and I’m proud we are taking steps to update and codify it for the future. This is how we will continue to support refugees and help them find safety and comfort as they integrate into Colorado.”

This bill establishes the Colorado Refugee Services Program in the Department of Human Services and designates it as the agency responsible for the development, review, and administration of the state plan. The program must be include certain services and assistance for refugees, and may provide additional services and assistance to support refugee resettlement and integration. The General Assembly can appropriate money to the department for the administration of the program.

 For more information on this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-230.  

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Senator Rodriguez’s Bipartisan Bill to Ban the Box on College Applications Unanimously Passes Colorado State Senate

April 8, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to advance SB19-170, Inquiry Into College Applicant Criminal History, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) that would prohibit colleges and universities from asking applicants about their criminal or disciplinary histories. The bill now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.

“A college degree is important in today’s world, and we want to make sure that every Coloradan who applies to college is judged on their merits, not their past mistakes,” said Senator Rodriguez. “Banning the box on college applications will allow colleges and universities to fairly examine each application and increase opportunity for everyone, particularly children of color, LGBTQ youth, and students living in poverty.”

Nearly 90 percent of colleges rely on information about applicants’ disciplinary pasts, including K-12 suspensions and expulsions, to make their admissions decisions. SB19-170 would end that practice and help institutions of higher education get a full picture of each student rather than immediately disqualifying someone with a childhood record.SB19-170 would include an exception for convictions or disciplinary actions related to stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence. For more information about this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-170.

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Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Lee’s Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Monetary Bail

April 8, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted unanimously to pass HB19-1225, No Monetary Bail For Certain Low-level Offenses. This bill, sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D-El Paso County), would end the requirement for cash bail in Colorado for certain low-level offenses. The bill is now headed to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

“Our bail system is unfair to many offenders who are not a danger to our communities, but who have to remain in jail because they can’t afford even minimal cash bail,” said Senator Lee. “This change is a crucial part of making our criminal justice system more equitable for all Coloradans.”

HB19-1225 would remove the monetary bond requirement for petty offenses, unclassified offenses, and Class 3 misdemeanors, with several specific exceptions. Defendants would still be allowed to choose to post monetary bail for pretrial release as long as they are aware they would be released regardless if willing to wait for a bond hearing.

“Not every low-level offender or traffic violator has the means to pay their way out of jail. This bill will help reduce incarceration among Coloradans who have not yet been found guilty of anything,” added Senator Lee.To learn more about the details of this legislation, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1225.

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General Assembly Approves President Garcia’s Study to Investigate Investor-Owned Utilities Energy Choices

Denver, CO -- The Legislative Council Committee recently approved a request by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) to convene the “Investor-Owned Utility Review Interim Study Committee” to investigate rates, reliability, and energy choice during the interim between the 2019 and 2020 legislative sessions. The interim study committee will then present three bills to address the issues it studies.

“Many Coloradans, particularly those in southern Colorado, pay far too much for energy and we do not fully understand why rates are so high,” said President Garcia. “I have worked all session on legislation to put the interests of ratepayers, not investor-owned utilities first, and I am confident that this interim study committee will be able to find solutions to the high cost of electricity and bring much needed relief to ratepayers across the state.”

The interim study committee would meet two times to investigate the programs and practices of electric investor-owned utilities (IOU) in Colorado with a particular focus on issues involving consumer choice and affordability in electric supply including: 

• The IOU’s administration of energy assistance programs and the sufficiency of those programs based on best practices;
• The IOU’s administration of time-of-day or time-of-use metering programs, including pilot programs;
• Whether an audit of any IOU consumer program is warranted and, if so, to formulate the document to request the audit;
• What new or augmented reports an IOU should be required to provide the commission or the General Assembly; and
• The role of the community aggregated choice in the consumer price of energy.

The committee will consist of six members of the General Assembly and eight non-legislative members. The legislative members will include three Senators, two selected by the Senate President and one selected by the Senate Minority Leader, and three Representatives, two selected by the House Speaker and one selected by the House Minority Leader.

The interim study committee will leverage the expertise of eight non-voting individuals with experience in the space. These eight non-legislative members will be appointed by the Senate President by June 30, 2019, as follows:

• A representative of investor-owned utilities;
• A member of the legal staff of the Public Utilities Commission or the Colorado Attorney General’s Office;
• A member of the City Council of a city served by an IOU;
• A County Commissioner of a county served by an IOU;
• A representative from the Office of Consumer Counsel; and
• Three geographically diverse citizens.

Senate Passes Senator Fields’ Bill to Protect Minors from Human Trafficking

April 5, 2019

Denver CO – The Colorado State Senate today voted 33-0 with 2 excused to pass SB19-185, Protections for Minor Human Trafficking, a bill sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) to increase protections for minors who are victims of human trafficking and increase penalties for human traffickers. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“My heart breaks for victims of human trafficking, but today I am proud of our bipartisan effort to help them. This bill went through an extensive stakeholder process because it’s so important to get the policy right here, and I’m confident that we did,” said Senator Fields. “By coming together in the Senate to pass this bill, Colorado is taking this critical step forward in our attempt to combat this atrocious practice and protect young children.”

SB19-185 would clarify the definition in the “Colorado Children’s Code” concerning victims of human trafficking 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 is an issue that I've been working on every year of the five years I have served in the General Assembly. The tremendous support for this bill proves that this is not a Republican or Democratic issue – this is a human rights issue,” said Senate co-sponsor Paul Laundeen (R-Monument). "We need to do our best to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, and passing this bill is a step in that direction."

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 this bill please visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-185.

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Automatic Voter Registration Bill Introduced in Senate

April 5, 2019

Denver CO – The Colorado State Senate yesterday introduced SB19-235, Automatic Voter Registration, a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) to automatically register voters in Colorado. It will first be heard in the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee.

"The right to vote and participate in our democracy is fundamental to this country's success," said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. "By expanding our Automatic Voter Registration program, we can increase the accessibility of our elections to thousands of Coloradans across the state and ensure their voices are heard throughout the political process."

“Colorado has the best election laws in the country, but we can still do more to protect and expand voting rights for all Coloradans,” said Senator Danielson. “Automatic voter registration is the next commonsense step we can take to make our electoral processes more inclusive.”

To automatically register voters, the Department of Revenue would transfer the electronic record of all eligible residents who apply for or seek renewals or corrections of their Colorado driver’s license or identification card. The records would be reviewed and the resident would receive a notice of voter registration. They could then decline or choose to affiliate with a party, but if they do not decline within 20 days they would be automatically registered to vote. A similar process would be conducted by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for Medicaid application records.

This legislation is one of many this session that are aimed at improving Colorado’s electoral process. In addition to SB19-235, Senator Danielson is also sponsoring SB19-202, Voting Rights for Voters with Disabilities, which would increase ballot access for Coloradans with disabilities.

To learn more about SB19-235, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-235.

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Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Give Women in Custody Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products

April 5, 2019

Denver, CO – The Colorado State Senate 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 Governor Jared Polis’ desk for his signature.

“Allowing women in custody to access menstrual hygiene products is a basic and necessary human right,” said Senator Winter. “I am pleased that the Senate could come together and take this step to prevent negative health outcomes while treating women with dignity and respect.”

Colorado state prisons are already required to provide menstrual hygiene products, but while some county jails provide limited menstrual hygiene products to people in custody, many still do not. This bill will 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 and represents a bipartisan effort to provide better support to women in custody.For more information about the bill, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1224.

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