JOINT RELEASE: Sponsors Affirm Commitment to FAMLI Effort

DENVER — Senator Faith Winter and Representative Matt Gray released the following statement regarding their dedication to creating a fair family and medical leave benefit for Colorado.

“We are fully committed to passing a paid family and medical leave program this year. The approach we’ve been working on would provide a much-needed benefit to Colorado workers. This is a very complex policy; we are still working to find the right solution, and we won’t stop until we get there. Too many Coloradans are fearful that one unforeseen event could upend their entire lives and their carefully laid plans for the future. Guaranteeing paid family and medical leave and the economic security it provides will give more Coloradans the fair shot they deserve. ”  

CROWN Act Coronated By Senate Committee

HB-1048 now heads to the Committee of the Whole

Denver, CO – Today the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee advanced the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2020 — or the CROWN Act — to prohibit discrimination based on race as it pertains to hair texture, type and style.

“This kind of legislation is long overdue. When I think about African Americans and our hairstyles, we go through a variety of different measures to sometimes straighten our hair, because stereotypes say straight hair may look more professional," said Sen. Rhonda Fields. "Over the course of my professional life, I've had to straighten my hair in order to fit in. We should be able to wear our hair any way we want to and not be discriminated against."

HB-1048 protects against discrimination based on hair types and styles, including locs, cornrows, twists, braids, curls, knots, headwraps and Afros. Discrimination can and does occur because of longstanding racial biases and stereotypes associated with hair texture and hairstyles, while people of African, Native, Jewish and Latino/a descent are denied educational and employment opportunities due to natural or protective hairstyles.

The bill passed on a 3-1 vote and now heads to the committee of the whole. Learn more here.

Bill To Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions in State Projects Advances

Denver, CO – Senator Hansen’s bill to combat global warming was approved today by the Senate Transportation and Environment Committee. This bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accounting for the global warming potential (GWP) of building materials used in state infrastructure projects. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 3-1.

“Our planet is in the midst of a climate crisis and we need to act,” said Sen. Hansen (D-Denver). “It's time to align our policies with our values and ensure that we are doing our part to protect the environment for generations to come. With this legislation, we can significantly lower emissions from the construction sector by using green building materials in-state projects.”

SB20-159 tasks the State Architect with promulgating policies to establish a maximum acceptable GWP for each category of eligible materials used in a public project based on industry averages and accounting for transportation-related emissions. Beginning on July 1, 2022, project designers would be required to submit environmental product declarations to account for the GWP of all eligible materials with the goal of using eligible materials below the maximum acceptable GWP.

The world’s top climate scientists warned in 2018 that in order to avoid the most catastrophic effects of global warming, governments around the world must cut carbon emissions roughly in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions not long after that. Last year, Colorado passed HB19-1261 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% in the coming decades, but the state has a long way to go. SB20-159 works in conjunction with parallel efforts to make strides towards this goal. 

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

To learn more about the bill, click here. 

Bill to Protect Exotic Animals Passes Committee

SB 20-125 helps ensure humane treatment and animal welfare

Denver, CO – Yesterday the Senate Agriculture committee moved legislation forward to prohibit the use of exotic animals in traveling performances. Boulder outlawed such exotic animal performances in 2001, and Colorado intends to follow the lead of a handful of other states in banning these unnatural and unhealthy performances. "The law would not prohibit circuses. Everybody loves a good circus and they would still be able to come to Colorado," said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger. "But elephants, lions, tigers and other circus animals are wild animals that perform simply out of fear, fear of being punished."

Circus animals spend most of their lives — sometimes up to 90% — in cages. They are often transported in small quarters and subjected to extreme heat, cold, vehicle exhaust and noise. These animals are frequently unable to exercise or perform normal acts for their species, rarely receiving adequate veterinary care. "Using exotic animals as commodities for traveling performances adds nothing to the understanding and conservation of such animals and their natural environment," said Sen. Joann Ginal. " This bill ensures humane treatment and welfare for these animals. The show can still go on — just not with these animal performances."

SB-125 does not apply to rodeos, stock shows, accredited zoos and aquariums or sanctuaries. The bill also does not include domesticated animals or livestock like horses, goats and sheep, as well as animals defined as wild — like deer, elk, or bison, and animals that are transported for medical and research purposes. The bill now heads to the committee of the whole.

Learn more here: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20-125

Bill to Protect Students on Buses Moves Forward

Student Safety Measures Beyond the Classroom

Denver, CO – Senator Rachel Zenzinger’s bipartisan bill to increase the safety and security of students on school buses was approved by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday. This measure would help provide school districts with hardware and software that would allow school buses to communicate directly with first responders by voice communication and by using a silent duress alarm.

“When your kid heads to school you want to be completely confident in their safety,” said Sen. Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “Sadly, many parents and students are nervous about their journey to the classroom. Currently, school buses are extremely ill-equipped to rapidly respond to an emergency. This is why we need better protections in place that will keep children safe even before they step foot in school.”

SB20-052 establishes a program that awards 3-year grants to school districts for technological improvements on school buses that would allow drivers to contact emergency personnel more easily and rapidly. It will also provide training and secure parental notification, at no cost to parents, relating to school bus and student status.

The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Bill to Expand Shelter Access For Youth Passes Committee

SB 20-106 aims to remove barriers for youth seeking shelter & services

Denver, CO – The Senate Local Government committee advanced crucial legislation yesterday to help Colorado's unhoused youth. This bill allows youth 15 or older to consent to receiving shelter and services without guardian or parental consent.

"Young people in Colorado who don't have safe or reliable housing are currently forced to sleep on the streets," said sponsor Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins). "This bill removes unnecessary burdens for youth in crisis to be able to access short-term shelter and services." 

From children who age out of foster care to those seeking respite from unhealthy living situations, hundreds of youth under 18 are without a bed or shelter on any given night in Colorado. Nearly 40 percent of homeless youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Young homeless people are at greater risk of developing substance abuse and mental health problems as well as physical abuse, sexual exploitation and running into problems with the criminal justice system.

But what’s even more tragic is that under current law, support services and charities are not permitted to shelter these desperate kids due to their age and inability to legally consent. The bill encompasses access to "child welfare services," including but not limited to: services that address abuse, neglect, and youth-in-conflict issues for runaway, homeless and unaccompanied youth.

By allowing children under the age of 18 to consent to be sheltered, we will be giving a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable and at-risk kids in our state. Meeting them in a time of need and intervening at a critical moment could literally alter the course of their life.

Democrats Defend Healthcare Savings and Work to Reduce the Cost of Prescription Drugs

Denver, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed both SB20-119 and SB20-107, two bills aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs. At the same time, the Senate Finance Committee defeated SB20-145 which would have reversed healthcare savings for thousands of Coloradans. 

SB20-119, Expand Canadian Rx Drug Import Program works to increase the number of countries from which Colorado would be able to directly import prescription drugs. Currently, 80% of the active ingredients and 40% of the finished generic drugs used in the United States are manufactured overseas. Yet the price hikes that Americans see are the highest in the world. This bill would allow Coloradans to bypass the excessive markup from U.S. pharmaceutical companies and save a considerable amount on their medications. 

SB20-107, Drug Production Costs Transparency also fights outrageous prescription prices by exposing the inner workings of Big Pharma. As it stands, large drug companies operate in the shadows– unaccountable to the public as to where their cost and spending areas lie. This bill would require these corporations to disclose the truth about production costs and shine a light on the components of the process that drive the price of prescription drugs.

"The status quo of prescription drug prices is incredibly dangerous. People who need treatment are being forced to choose between their health and their economic survival. And this reality is pulling many families underwater," said Senator Ginal (D-Fort Collins). "The system is in desperate need of reform. Coloradans, like all Americans, already pay the highest drug prices in the world, and every year they are getting more and more expensive, not out of necessity, but out of greed."

In the past, pharmaceutical companies have attributed high prices to innovation, arguing that new and improved drugs are naturally more expensive. But a recent study published in Health Affairs complicates that idea. It suggests that costs have increased due to companies raising the price of already market-available drugs purely for the sake of profit and not investment.

SB20-107 will now be sent to Appropriations while SB20-119 heads to the Senate floor.

In a parallel effort, the Senate Finance Committee defeated a bill today aimed at repealing Colorado's reinsurance program. Since being enacted, the reinsurance program has effectively reduced insurance premiums on the individual market by an average of 20%. However, for some families that number has been much higher, especially for those living on the Western Slope.

"We need to build upon our successes in making healthcare more affordable, not dismantle them," said Sen. Gonzales (D-Denver). "Repealing our reinsurance program would be going backward and reneging on all of the relief that thousands of Colorado families are finally experiencing." 

Bill to Strengthen Colorado's Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Passes Senate

2020 COSI bill aims to align scholarship initiatives with financial aid best practices

Denver, CO – Today, the Senate passed SB20-006, Senator Zenzinger's bill to strengthen the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) program. The bill would broaden COSI’s assistance approach to a more holistic and inclusive model–– tying scholarships to the rising costs of attendance rather than to tuition alone. It also improves student success and support services and allows more institutions to receive funding. The vote was approved by the Senate unanimously and now moves on to the House for consideration.

"Going to college is becoming more of a workforce necessity, yet higher education costs are growing exponentially–making it less and less accessible," said Senator Zenzinger (D-Arvada). "Our college students need scholarships and wrap-around support programs like the ones offered in COSI so that they have opportunities to pursue their goals without being saddled with a lifetime of debt."

A 2013 Georgetown study predicted that by 2020, Colorado’s economy will require the second-most educated workforce in the nation, with 74% of jobs needing some kind of postsecondary degree. But right now, only about half of Colorado adults have a degree or certificate. 

What SB-006 does:

• Changes "tuition assistance" to "financial assistance" tied to cost of attendance

Changing this definition allows funds to be utilized for wraparound services, and would provide clarification around eligible expenses for financial aid administrators.

• Removes funding cap requirement to improve student success and support services

Removing the cap will allow for the expansion of wraparound support programming, which directly impacts COSI recipients by increasing student retention and degree completion.

• Allows more government agencies such as colleges, universities, and school districts to receive funding directly, in addition to community organizations and related foundations

"As a result of the proposed changes, COSI will be administered more efficiently to allow the program to align with research and national best practices and aid the Department in reaching 66% educational attainment by 2025. I'm proud to see how far COSI has come since our early days working on the program, and can’t wait to achieve even more success," said Sen. Zenzinger.

The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative is Colorado’s premier scholarship program– serving over 75,000 students in 61 counties across the state since 2014. Program participants also graduate at a 15% higher rate than their peers and are largely composed of students of color. 

Senate Dems Condemn Hateful GOP Attacks on LGBTQ Community

Denver, CO – Today several dangerous and misguided GOP bills will be heard in the House, including attempts to harm transgender, intersex and nonbinary youth rights and prevent loving LGBTQ families from adopting children.

“These bills would cause active harm to communities in Colorado, and indicate how far some Republicans are willing to go to restrict LGBTQ rights,” said Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Denver). 

This year, we're building on LGBTQ wins we achieved last session, like protecting community members from harmful and misinformed practices like conversion "therapy." Sen. Moreno is sponsoring legislation to simplify Jude's Law to allow minors to obtain a new birth certificate that aligns with their gender identity —without requiring surgery or clinical care.

"As a member of this community, these bills are caustic attacks on LGBTQ rights. I will always stand up for LGBTQ equality and everything that we have fought so hard to achieve," said Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins).

Senate Dems Advance Innovative Program, Kill Dangerous GOP Bills

SB 20-31 passes Senate Education committee

Denver, CO – Today the Senate Education committee passed SB-031: Improve Student Success Innovation Pilot. The bill helps students pursuing postsecondary credentials and degrees through encouraging institutions to collaborate together to work on programs to retain students, boost Colorado's adult workforce and fill shortages in much-needed positions.

"It's clear there's need for more skilled workers here in Colorado. Workers are traveling here from other states because Colorado can't provide the skilled workforce," said Sen. Tammy Story (D-Littleton). "This bill is to allow institutions to collaborate in order to get students there, keep them there, graduate them and ensure they have a sustainable future — the whole pathway."

The bill allows for collaboration to identify barriers to postsecondary education, with four goals to increase attainment: increase credential completion, erase equity gaps, improve student success and invest in affordable & innovative programs. The program incentivizes institutions to address barriers like financial aid, housing or food insecurity, and mental and behavioral health.

Also up in committee today: three dangerous GOP-sponsored bills that would have targeted equity in neighborhood schools, undermined teachers' unions and dismantled education frameworks and protections.

Read more about Sen. Story's bill here: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB20-031

Bill Incentivizing Recycling Efforts in Colorado Moves Forward

Colorado Senate Democrats work to protect our environment for generations to come

DENVER, CO  – Bipartisan legislation that aims to protect Colorado’s environment by incentivizing recycling was approved by the Business, Labor, and Technology Committee yesterday. This bill would improve recycling rates in Colorado by supporting the development of end-market recycling businesses. 

“Colorado is our home, and we must do everything in our power to protect it,” said Senator Story (D-Conifer). “By investing in our future and incentivizing recycling, we can further protect our environment and ensure our children, and their children will be able to call Colorado home for generations to come. ”

Colorado is falling behind when it comes to recycling. In 2018, Colorado’s recycling rate was almost half the national average, while only 50% of counties even had recycling services available. Currently, Colorado lacks the infrastructure to handle its recycling needs and is forced to send recyclables elsewhere. This can create unsustainable costs for business and a pressing need for more in-state solutions.  

SB20-055, sponsored by Senators Tammy Story and Kevin Priola, would incentivize the creation of more recycling facilities by lessening the property tax burden on eligible business owners. The bill would also direct the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to create a pollution prevention advisory board, educate Colorado residents concerning recycling, and conduct a literature review of what other states are doing in terms of recycling.

For additional information about SB20-055, please click here.  

Bill to Increase Cost of Living Adjustment for CO Works Advances

SB 20-029 passes the Senate Finance Committee unanimously

Denver, CO – Today the Senate Finance committee advanced legislation to increase the cost of living adjustment for Colorado Works program participants. Colorado families of all backgrounds work hard to provide a better life for their children. But  poverty rates among children in Colorado vary by race and ethnicity, as a result of policies and practices that have created and maintained inequitable opportunities in areas like housing and employment. SB-029 helps bridge those gaps.

"When we as a community remove barriers to financial security for families experiencing the most obstacles, we ensure kids start off on a strong path," said Sen. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). 

"Studies show that increases in family income – including through direct financial assistance programs – can lead to improved outcomes for kids living in poverty and even increase a child’s future earnings," said Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Denver).

In 2018 the Colorado Works program saw its first cost-of-living increase in a decade. SB-29 would increase the amount of Basic Cash Assistance payments to make up for the lack of adjustment for inflation since the program was created in 1996. It would implement an annual cost-of-living adjustment so that the Basic Cash Assistance value keeps up with actual living expenses.

Bill to Pay Student Athletes Passes Education Committee Unanimously

SB 20-123 allows for compensation and legal representation

DENVER, CO – SB 20-123 to pay student athletes passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously today. The bill, sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields and Jeff Bridges, would allow student athletes to receive compensation when their identity is used.

“This bill is all about doing what's best for the students,” said Senator Fields (D-Aurora). “Student athletes are waking up early in the morning, training for hours all while maintaining a full schedule of classes and good grades — and they deserve to be fairly compensated for that.”

"This is about the Colorado values of fairness and opportunity," said Sen. Jeff Bridges (D-Littleton). "Universities and the NCAA make hundreds of millions of dollars from the efforts of our student athletes. They deserve the right to control the use of their own name, image and likeness."

The bill establishes college athletes' rights to earn compensation from the use of the student's name, image, or likeness, and allows for them to obtain professional and legal representation. Additional information about SB20-123 can be found here.

Senate Education Committee Passes Training Supports For Educators

SB 20-001 heads to Senate Appropriations committee

Denver, CO – Today the Senate Education committee passed SB-001 to expand behavioral health training for K-12 educators. Our teachers, administrators, and school personnel are on the frontlines of the growing mental health crisis in our schools, and this bill establishes programs to support them in supporting our students. The statistics speak for themselves:

• America’s teen suicide rate is increasing at an alarming rate. Between 2013 and 2017, suicide was the leading cause of death among Colorado youth ages 10 – 18.

• A report recently published by the United Health Foundation found that half of Colorado children aged 3 to 17 do not receive the mental health counseling that they need.

“Teachers are in many ways, the mental-health first responders for our kids. They exist on the frontlines of our child suicide crisis, and they need our help,” said bill sponsor Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). “We must give educators the necessary tools to support students when they desperately need it, or we will continue to see kids struggle in silence."

SB20-001 will provide funding to expand professional development opportunities via the Colorado Department of Education for school personnel related to youth behavioral and mental health issues. Prevention, early intervention, and stigma reduction are key factors in improving mental health and wellness.

“My son Robbie died by suicide October 11, 2018. He was 15 years old. We were at a parent teacher conference and came home to our worst nightmare," said Keri Eckert founder of Robbie’s Hope Foundation. “Mental illness is treatable, yet many teens struggle silently alone. It’s time we give teachers and students what they are asking for and need.”

This bipartisan bill will establish a network of qualified trainers in schools across the state. These trainers will be able to instruct their colleagues in the skills they need to identify students facing behavioral health or substance use issues and provide them with the tools and resources they need address this challenge. Learn more about the bill here.

Bill To Make Biking Safer Advances to State House

DENVER, CO – February 6 – On Thursday, the Colorado State Senate voted to advance SB20-061, Yield to Bicycles in Bicycle Lanes, on a 22-11 vote. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Foote and Speaker K.C. Becker, intends to help make bike lanes safer and clarify who is at fault for crashes that occur within bike lanes.

Injuries to bicyclists are becoming increasingly common. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), who supports SB20-061, cyclist fatalities in Colorado have increased by 31% over the last five years.

“We have seen instances where a cyclist is in the bike lane obeying the law but still given a ticket after being hit by a motorist,” Sen. Foote said. “Enforcement varies across jurisdictions and police departments so we want to make sure the law is clear.”

The bill will create a class A traffic offense for failing to yield in a bike lane and sets a penalty for individuals cited for that offense. The bill will now move to the Colorado State House, where Speaker K.C. Becker is the prime sponsor.

More information on SB20-061, including the text of the bill, can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20-061

Bill to Support Our State Military Forces Passes Unanimously

SB 20-091 increases the minimum pay for service members

Denver, CO – Sen. Rachel Zenzinger's bill SB-091: Minimum Pay For State Military Forces passed the Senate on Friday. The bipartisan bill increases pay for our military members who are called into service by the governor.

"Our state military forces leave paying jobs to protect and defend Colorado in the event of a disaster or emergency to work 12-hour shifts on less than $2 an hour," said bill sponsor Sen. Rachel Zenzinger. "This bill brings the minimum pay for our members into the 21st century."

Right now, the minimum pay for our service members called up to active duty is just $20 a day. When Colorado experiences natural disasters or emergencies, our members deserve pay that has kept pace with today's inflation and living costs.

SB-091 passed the Senate State Veterans & Military committee and the full Senate unanimously. The bill now heads to the House.

Learn more here.

Senate Democrats Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care

GOP bills target access, emergency contraception

Denver, CO – Today is Reproductive Freedom Day at the Colorado StateCapitol, and right now, Senate Democrats are defending all aspects of reproductive health care in our state, including abortion access.

Caucus members on the State, Veterans & Military Affairs committee voted down an incredibly misleading bill on Monday, SB-077, which is a dangerous attempt to limit reproductive care in some of the most tragic and deeply personal cases.

At least two other extremely troubling anti-choice bills have been introduced in the legislature, including attempts to make Plan B a felony and a 22-week abortion ban, which would actively harm those needing urgent care in cases of fetal anomalies, genetic disorder or severe medical problems.

And right now, 87% of Colorado counties have no access to necessary reproductive services, including abortion care. With the fate of Roe v. Wade hanging in the balance at the Supreme Court, we're fighting to make sure that all Coloradans can make these important and personal decisions without restrictions or government intrusion.

“Government doesn’t have a place in these kinds of personal decisions," said Sen. Jeff Bridges. "I’m committed to ensuring access to reproductive health care for everyone in Colorado.”

In light of Reproductive Freedom Day today, it's essential to ensure that Coloradans, regardless of geography, age, or income deserve access to the full spectrum of reproductive rights and health care, including emergency contraception, maternity care, and birth control — without shame or stigma.

“Reproductive freedom is a cornerstone of our democratic commitment to access and privacy in health care, and these deeply personal decisions should only ever be between families and their doctor,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson.

Food Donations, Courthouse Access & Workers Compensation for Dispatchers Bills Pass Senate

Denver, CO – Three critical bills passed an important hurdle Tuesday on their way to becoming law: 

• SB-090 to ease restrictions for organizations looking to donate food passed unanimously. This bill helps clear the way for individuals and nonprofits looking to donate wholesome foods to assist those facing hunger and poverty.
   

• SB-026, which supports the mental health of our emergency responders and dispatchers also passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Our emergency response centers, highway patrols and officers protect us every day while being subject to extreme and taxing situations. The bill expands workers' compensation to include psychological audible trauma.
   

• SB-083 also passed with bipartisan support and ensures access to justice for all Coloradans by outlawing civil arrests in our courthouses. By protecting that access, we uphold our commitment to justice for all.

  
  ###

Bill to Increase Health Providers for Colorado Seniors Passes Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Denver, CO – The Senate Health & Human Services committee passed SB-022: Increase Medical Providers for Seniors on a 4-1 vote today. SB-022 tackles one of Colorado’s most pressing issues — the lack of health care available to our state’s aging population. This bill aims to increase the number of medical providers available to senior citizens by offering education incentives for geriatric care providers. 

With a sharp rise in Colorado’s aging senior population in the coming decades, Colorado faces a severe shortage of geriatric medical providers available to take care of their growing medical needs. Without health care readily available for this aging population, it can often mean the difference between life and death for them.

“Our growing senior population deserves compassionate and capable health care, but right now Colorado simply doesn’t have enough physicians to care for them,” bill sponsor Sen. Jessie Danielson said. “We need to work proactively to stem this growing issue now. This bill helps address the problem by incentivizing great providers to pursue great careers in geriatric care.”

Colorado’s 65+ population will increase by 40% between by 2030, and will only continue to grow from there. There’s already a shortage of at least 200 medical care providers trained to work with seniors, and that gap will only continue to grow. SB-022 helps address this gap.

This bill aids critical shortages in Colorado by expanding the Colorado Health Service Corps loan repayment program to advanced practice nurses, physicians assistants, and other providers who practice geriatric primary care in our state’s shortage areas, including rural areas and underserved parts of our state. 

For more information about SB20-022, please click here.

Alcohol Beverage License and Permit Expiration Passes Senate Business, Labor + Tech

DENVER, CO — The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee passed SB20-086: Alcohol Beverage License and Permit Expiration unanimously. This bill gives the State Licensing Authority and Liquor Enforcement division authority to set a renewal application fee by rule and the ability to allow online renewals and payment of fees. Per statute, all fees must be set at an amount to cover the direct and indirect costs of the LED operations.

“SB20-086 helps solve a fundamental problem in the funding structure that has been getting worse instead of better. By altering the funding structure while also allowing for online renewal and fee payments, both the Liquor Enforcement Division and the businesses that work with them will be able to function more efficiently,” said prime sponsor Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver). 

Co-sponsor Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert said that “application fees have changed 6 times since 2016. This inconsistency has affected the market and makes the job more challenging for both licensing authorities and licensees. Stabilizing the fees gives the Liquor Enforcement Division the resources they need to do their jobs and provides the predictability small businesses need to take part in Colorado’s economy."

Allowing the Liquor Enforcement Division to set renewal fees stabilizes the new application fee and spreads the cost of licensing across all licensees. LED anticipates a $50 renewal application fee for all licensees as well as stabilizing the new application fee at $1,300. Additionally, current statute requires renewal to be done by mail. This bill eliminates that language in order to provide flexibility for licensees to adapt to changing technology, though mail will always be an option. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.

To learn more about this bill, please visit:

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20-086