Garcia Champions Front Range Rail Initiative, Making Colorado More Connected Than Ever Before

Legislation outlines plans to construct a passenger rail line from the New Mexico to Wyoming border

DENVER, CO - Today, Senate President Leroy Garcia introduced his bipartisan legislation to implement one of the most expansive public transportation plans in Colorado history. SB21-238 would lay the groundwork for an interconnected, high-speed passenger rail system spanning from Trinidad to the Wyoming border – allowing residents all along the Front Range to travel more efficiently and effectively. 

“Front Range Rail has been a top priority of mine since coming to the legislature,” said President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “For too long Colorado’s transportation system has been underfunded and overburdened, leading to crumbling roads and horrible traffic congestion. We need a long-term solution that will address our growing population needs while ensuring people can get to where they need to go safely and efficiently. High-speed trains connecting our state from top to bottom will allow for more residential movement and increased economic growth. I am overwhelming proud to finally see this project get off the ground and in turn shape the future of our state for generations to come.” 

This bill is being co-sponsored by a host of legislators from both sides of the aisle including Republican Senators Kevin Priola from Adams County and Cleave Simpson from Alamosa: 

“I am excited to co-sponsor legislation creating the Front Range Passenger Rail District,” said Senator Simpson, R-Alamosa. “The creation of the District moves Colorado one step closer to the realization of a safe, efficient and reliable transportation alternative along the Front Range, from Wyoming to New Mexico. The potential operation of new passenger rail service within the District would be a monumental benefit to Colorado generally and to southern Colorado in particular."

In 2019 polling,  over 85% of respondents supported the creation of a “Front Range Passenger Rail Service” with 92% expressing interest in utilizing the system if it were available and 95% believing it would help address transportation needs and traffic congestion along the Front Range. 

For decades Colorado’s transportation infrastructure has been notably underfunded, an issue that has only intensified with the massive population increase over recent years. Some experts believe that the over-used and subsequent deterioration of Colorado’s roads and bridges have also led to depressed economic growth. 

“The population in Colorado is estimated to grow by 2 million by 2030,” said supporter of the bill and Trinidad Mayor Phil Rico. “The majority of new residents will settle along the front range – severely impacting our roads even further. In order to move people efficiently on a daily basis along the Front Range from Fort Collins to Trinidad, we need another mode of transportation that will reduce emissions, help to meet the Governor’s climate action goals and provide a safe means of transportation. Passenger rail can be a solution to this dilemma that we are facing and allow Colorado to plan for our future transportation needs.” 

The bill proposes creating a Front Range Passenger Rail Board to research, develop, construct, operate, and maintain the rail system and instructs them to work collaboratively with RTD as well as Amtrak to ensure interconnectedness and compatibility with existing services and projects. SB21-238 also outlines different modes of funding including sales and use tax increases for rail districts (subject to voter approval) and federal investment.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee. Track the progress of the bill here.

FY 2021-22 State Budget PASSES the Senate

The final Long Bill reflects community priorities by massively investing in public schools, health services, and infrastructure projects

DENVER, CO - Today, the Senate passed this year’s ‘Long Bill’ as well as a series of companion bills that comprise the totality of Colorado’s state budget. After a tumultuous economic year, the 2021-2022 state budget reflects Colorado’s continued fiscal improvement as well as the legislature’s commitment to build back stronger.  

“Budgets are more than just line items in a spreadsheet, they are principled documents that reflect what we care about as a community,” said Senate President Garcia, D-Pueblo. “The responsibility of crafting such meaningful legislation is something we do not take lightly. This year’s budget is the result of five months of tireless, bipartisan work to revitalize the state after a devastating pandemic. I am grateful for the way in which we have worked across the aisle to invest critical funds into Colorado’s public school, healthcare services, and state infrastructure – putting our state on track to not only recover but build back stronger.”  

“I am incredibly proud to see this session’s budget pass through with such strong bipartisan collaboration and support," said Chair of the Joint Budget Committee, Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “After an incredibly difficult year, we were able to come together and invest in rebuilding our economy all the while ensuring an equitable recovery. We are not out of the woods yet, and there are many challenges we have still to overcome, but I believe that we are well on our way towards a stronger, more resilient Colorado.” 

Overall, Colorado’s $34.6 billion budget includes funding for day-to-day operations of state government, the majority of which is allocated to six departments, known as the ‘Big Six’ – the Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing, the Dept. Education, the Dept. of Higher Education, the Dept. of Human Services, the Dept. of Corrections, and the Judicial Dept – which together receive approximately 80% of total state funding.

Last year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession, the state budget was forced to absorb a near $4 billion reduction in financial resources. Fortunately, as the state economy continues to improve, this year’s state budget is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.

During the crafting of this year’s budget, JBC leaders articulated three overarching goals: restore funding to critical programs and services, support our most marginalized and underserved Coloradans, and invest in Colorado’s future to make our state more financially resourceful and resilient.

Highlights of restored funding include:

• $480.3 million to reduce the budget stabilization factor – bolstering school funding levels for the next two years. 

• $473 million for state institutions of higher education. 

• $380 million for future Public Employees’ Retirement Association Direct Distribution payments.

• $124 million for 2021 transportation legislation. 

• $100 million to the State Education Fund. 

Highlights of investments made in the most vulnerable Coloradans include:

• $707.5 million for medical and long-term services and supports provided through Medicaid. 

• $87 million for county administration of SNAP benefits. 

• $48.2 million for hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients.

• $6.5 million to the Rural Connectivity project. 

• $5.9 million to address health care disparities. 

• $1.9 million to support Colorado’s implementation of the National School Lunch Program.

• $910,000 for behavioral health services for children in crisis. 

Highlights of investments made to enhance Colorado’s resiliency include:

• $327.1 million for state infrastructure and information technology projects. 

• $201 million to fund the State Emergency Reserve. 

• $50 million to fund 2021 legislative proposals including policies to combat climate change, spur job creation, and reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

• $100 million to the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Fund. 

• $13.2 million for the Wildfire Stimulus Package. 

• $208,273 for the Just Transition Office. 
   

The budget also sets aside $800 million for the legislative stimulus package, which includes appropriations to support agricultural communities, infrastructure, rural economic development, school investment, and job creation.

The Long Bill will now move to the House for consideration. To read the full narrative of the state budget, visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/publications/fy-2021-22-budget-package-and-long-bill-narrative.

Bill to Establish Suicide Prevention Hotline Clears Committee!

Legislation would designate 988 as the official number for crisis response services in Colorado

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker that would provide a lifeline for Coloradans experiencing a mental health crisis.

In October 2020, Congress passed the "National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020," designating 988 as the 3-digit number for the national suicide prevention lifeline created to provide rapid access to mental health support services for individuals in need. SB21-154 would implement 988 as the 3-digit number for crisis response services in Colorado – ensuring a simple, memorable access point for critical care.

“The mental health crisis was prevalent far before the pandemic, but has worsened as suicide rates continue to skyrocket,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “We are in incredibly trying times and I can wholeheartedly resonate with the many Coloradans whose mental health has suffered as a result, but thankfully there are things we can do right now to help people and save lives. Creating a memorable, 3-digit crisis response number  is a transformative step that will put mental health on par with other emergency services – getting people the help they need when they need it most.” 

Colorado has the fifth-highest rate of suicide in the nation, making it the second leading cause of death for Coloradans between the ages 15 and 44. This issue is compounded further by the fact that according to federal guidelines, 68% of communities do not have enough mental health providers to properly serve their residents. 

In the midst of the pandemic, calls to crisis centers have only increased, but 10% of them have been related to mental health. SB21-154 would streamline mental health crisis calls to a direct line so that Coloradans in need of immediate assistance can get help from a mental health professional as soon as possible. 

SB21-154 now moves to the Finance Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.

Round 2! Colorado Comeback Marches On

DENVER, CO – House and Senate leadership today introduced eight state stimulus bills to support the restaurant and events industries, provide youth mental health screenings, assist child care businesses and boost Colorado agriculture. The bills are part of the legislature’s Colorado Recovery Plan.

“The Colorado Comeback is crafted to reach every corner and every industry in our state,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “From tax relief for restaurants and bars to assistance for our State Fair in Pueblo, help is on the way. This package boosts our event industry, which fills up hotel rooms and restaurant tables across the state, and it will help workers develop the tools they need to thrive. I’m proud of the bipartisan work that’s gone into crafting the Colorado Recovery Plan, and I’m excited to see it move forward.”

“This next round of stimulus bills will speed up Colorado’s recovery and lay the groundwork for a stronger future,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “One of our goals in this round of stimulus is to directly invest in Colorado families by channeling resources towards childcare shortages as well as our youth mental health crisis. Our state’s future success will be in the hands of our children, and it’s critical that we do a better job of meeting their needs and providing them the support they need to thrive.”

HB21-1265: Restaurant Sales Tax Relief, sponsored by Representatives Mullica & Van Winkle and Senators Pettersen & Woodward.
Colorado restaurants and bars have faced some of the toughest challenges of this pandemic, with many closing and others struggling to stay open or pay their workers. This bill continues the successful sales tax assistance effort passed during the 2020 special session. It allows restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors (such as airline food service contractors and food concession contractors at sporting events) to deduct up to $70,000 in net taxable sales from their monthly state sales tax return and retain the resulting sales tax revenue during the months of June, July, and August 2021.

HB21-1263: Incentives for Conferences and Events, sponsored by Representatives Roberts & Soper and Senators Rodriguez & Hisey.
Colorado has a robust tourism and conference industry, and with the vaccine becoming more widely available, it’s time to bring people back for weddings, vacations, conferences and so much more. The bill creates a program to provide organizations and businesses rebates of up to 10% of the hard costs of holding an event in the state to incentivize more tourism and business to come to the state. The program also offers rebates of up to 25% of hard costs of complying with COVID-19 associated public health orders for the event.

HB21-1258: Mental Health Sessions for Youth, sponsored by Representatives Michaelson Jenet & Van Winkle and Senators Buckner & Woodward.
Our state’s youth mental health crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill creates a program in the Office of Behavioral Health to reimburse providers for up to three mental health sessions with a young person. The office will create a website to serve as a portal for youth and providers to be able to navigate the program.

HB21-1262: Support for Colorado Stock Show, State Fair, and Agriculture Events, sponsored by Representatives Lontine & Lynch and Senators Garcia & Sonnenberg.
The Colorado Stock Show and State Fair are vital economic drivers for the agriculture industry in Colorado. With this stimulus, the state will help bring them back stronger than before. The bill provides $3.5 million to the Colorado Stock Show--a staple to the state’s agricultural economy and Denver’s economy--as well as $3.5 million for the State Fair, and $2 million to agricultural events organizations across the state.

HB21-1264: Workforce Centers and Training Awards, sponsored by Representatives Sullivan & Young and Senators Kolker & Hisey.
Building back stronger means making sure that Colorado’s workers have the tools they need to thrive. This bill invests $25 million to create an initiative within the state Workforce Development Council to reskill, upskill, and “next-skill” workers during periods of substantial unemployment.

HB21-1260: Support for State Water Plan, sponsored by Representatives Garnett & Catlin and Senators Donovan & Simpson.
Ensuring that Colorado can meet its future water needs is critical in maintaining our state as a competitive place to work, play, and live. The bill provides $20 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to implement the Colorado Water Plan.

SB21-234: Agriculture & Drought Resiliency, sponsored by Senators Jaquez Lewis & Sonnenberg and Representatives Cutter & Holtorf.
In 2020, each of the 64 Colorado counties were experiencing a drought. Major drivers were an absent monsoon season, increased soil moisture deficits, record-high temperatures, and extreme evaporative demands from winds and low humidity. This drought exacerbated many of the financial impacts on the agriculture sector, and as climate change worsens, drought could cost Colorado an additional $511 million dollars in expected annual damages to agriculture. To help plan for and mitigate future droughts, this bill establishes the Agriculture & Drought Resilience Fund in the Department of Agriculture and allocates $3 million to engage in activities that promote the ability of the state to anticipate, mitigate, or respond to droughts.

SB21-235: Funding for ACRE3, sponsored by Senator Jaquez Lewis and Representatives Bernett & McCormick.
Over the next decade, Colorado’s agricultural sector must comprehensively reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also increasing energy efficiency and cutting costs. ACRE3 is Colorado’s premier state-level program for agricultural energy management, and provides financial aid, technical assistance, and education to help agriculture producers and processors cut energy costs and develop their own energy resources. To further increase the sustainability of the ag industry, producers can invest in healthy soil management, nutrient cycling, and erosion prevention strategies which will increase yields and resilience to extreme weather events. To expand and enhance these programs, this bill allocates $3 million to ACRE3 to support energy efficiency programs and $2 million to the conservation services division to implement voluntary soil health programs.

SB21-236: Childcare Business Support, sponsored by Senators Story & Sonnenberg and Representatives Tipper & Van Beber.
Early childhood care and education are not only important for a child’s preparation for K-12 school, they are also crucial for helping formulate critical thinking skills, cognitive abilities, social skills, and the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. Accordingly, early childhood caretakers and educators are some of the most valuable and impressionable figures in children’s lives. Over the last year, the pandemic has disrupted both educators’ ability to teach and children’s ability to learn – making the re-ignition of early childhood care and education an integral component of our recovery. This bill establishes three new grant programs to increase capacity, and works to improve recruitment, retention, and compensation for educators. Additionally, the bill allocates $8.8 million in state funds and $4.2 million in federal funds to help get these programs up and running.

FY 2021-22 State Budget Introduced in the Senate

After receiving final approval from the Joint Budget Committee last week, the Long Bill has begun making its way through the state legislature

DENVER, CO - This morning, the ‘Long Bill’ as well as a series of companion bills that comprise the totality of Colorado’s state budget were introduced in the Senate. After a tumultuous economic year, the 2021-2022 state budget reflects Colorado’s continued fiscal improvement as well as the legislature’s commitment to build back stronger.  

“After months of uncertainty, I am exceedingly proud to introduce a budget that not only restores the heartbreaking cuts we were forced to make last year but uplifts hard-hit Coloradans and boldly invests in our state’s future," said Chair of the Joint Budget Committee, Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “Colorado, like the rest of the world, has been through so much during this pandemic, so it is a relief to finally see the storm breaking.  I’m confident that the funding package we put together this year will ensure Colorado has an equitable recovery and a resilient foundation.”

“Budgets are moral documents – they show what we as a community value and prioritize – and this year, Colorado’s budget underscores not only the adversity we have overcome as a state but the ongoing commitment we have to build back stronger,” said Joint Budget Committee member Senator Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “From education to critical infrastructure, this year’s budget has made massive strides in responding to urgent needs of Colorado as well as promoting a rapid recovery. Overall I am excited about what we have been able to accomplish and look forward to Colorado’s long-awaited comeback.”  

Overall, Colorado’s $34.6 billion budget includes funding for day-to-day operations of state government, the majority of which is allocated to six departments, known as the ‘Big Six’ – the Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing, the Dept. Education, the Dept. of Higher Education, the Dept. of Human Services, the Dept. of Corrections, and the Judicial Dept –  which together receive approximately 80% of total state funding.

Last year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession, the state budget was forced to absorb a near $4 billion reduction in financial resources. Fortunately, as the state economy continues to improve, this year’s state budget is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.

Highlights of restored funding include:

• $480.3 million to reduce the budget stabilization factor – bolstering school funding levels for the next two years. The “negative factor” gap in K-12 education funding is the amount by which state spending on schools falls short of the Amendment 23 formula – a persistent issue for Colorado due to TABOR restraints. 

• $473 million for state institutions of higher education. This will restore cuts made last year for students attending state institutions, stipends for qualified low-income students attending private institutions, and grants that support public institutions of higher education.

• $380 million for future Public Employees’ Retirement Association Direct Distribution payments. This additional funding will ensure valued public servants like public school teachers, state troopers, university professors, and other employees have a pathway toward a comfortable retirement.

• $124 million for 2021 transportation legislation. This allocation will help address Colorado’s growing transportation needs by restoring funds that were unavailable in 2020 due to more pressing fiscal needs arising from the pandemic.  

• $100 million to the State Education Fund. The State Education Fund is the primary funding source for teacher recruitment, full-day kindergarten, early literacy programs, and financing K-12 schools across the state.

Highlights of investments made in support of the most vulnerable Coloradans include:

• $707.5 million for medical and long-term services and supports provided through Medicaid. This additional funding will go toward both critical care services (e.g. physician visits, prescription drugs, hospitalization) and long-term care services (e.g. nursing home care and community-based services).

• $87 million for county administration of SNAP benefits. These funds will support the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as well as a variety of smaller programs, including child support enforcement services and the Low-income  Energy Assistance Program. 

• $48.2 million for disproportionate share hospitals. This funding will provide additional support for hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients.

• $6.5 million to the Governor's Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) for their Rural Connectivity project. This project will increase rural health providers' access to health information, analytics, and technical support to improve the health and safety of rural communities.

• $5.9 million to address health care disparities. These funds will go towards mitigating racial and ethnic health disparities present in Colorado.

• $1.9 million to support Colorado’s implementation of the National School Lunch Program. The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritious, low-cost or free lunches to students each day.

• $910,000 for behavioral health services for children in crisis. These funds support improved hotline, walk-in, and mobile crisis services for children and youth.

Highlights of investments made to enhance Colorado’s resiliency include:

• $327.1 million for state infrastructure and information technology projects. These projects will create new, good-paying jobs and revitalize communities around the state. Projects include the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, the Community College of Denver's Classroom and Conference Room Technology project, various highway construction projects, and Department of Natural Resources property acquisitions and improvements.

• $201 million to fund the State Emergency Reserve. This newly created reserve fund will act as the State’s ‘rainy day fund’ to help provide a safety net and ensure resiliency for future declared states of emergency.

• $50 million to fund 2021 legislative proposals. Current legislative priorities include transportation & infrastructure funding, policies to combat climate change, workforce development & job creation strategies, reducing the cost of healthcare premiums & prescription drugs, housing support, and initiatives to address teacher shortages.

• $100 million to the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Fund. The BEST fund is the vehicle for competitive grants to schools for the construction of new facilities as well as general maintenance and renovation of existing school systems and structures.

• $13.2 million for the Wildfire Stimulus Package. These funds will serve as the continuation of extended contracts for firefighting aircraft, additional personnel, and state assistance for local capacity.

• $208,273 for the Just Transition Office. These additional funds will enable the Just  Transition Office to work with coal workers and communities across the state that are affected by the transition from coal-based power production.

Additionally, the Long Bill sets aside $800 million for the legislative stimulus package, which includes appropriations to support agricultural communities, infrastructure, rural economic development, school investment, utility aid, and job creation.

The Long Bill will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee tomorrow morning before being heard by the full Senate on Thursday. To read the full narrative of the state budget, visit: http://leg.colorado.gov/publications/fy-2021-22-budget-package-and-long-bill-narrative.

JOINT RELEASE: Slate of Colorado Stimulus Legislation Introduced

Bills aim to uplift Colorado's economy, support our schools, & create jobs 

DENVER, CO – This afternoon, the General Assembly introduced one of their first rounds of stimulus bills in the House and Senate. These are the first of many policies aimed at Colorado’s recovery, focusing on school investment, rural support, utility aid and job creation. 

“Our goal with this stimulus package is to get funds out the door as quickly and efficiently as possible. Coloradans have been struggling under the weight of this pandemic for more than a year now, so it’s exciting to say that additional relief is finally on the way, ” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “These bills will accelerate Colorado’s recovery and help our state build back stronger by invigorating local economies and bolstering hard-hit communities. I’m proud of our bipartisan work thus far and look forward to continued collaboration on behalf of Coloradans everywhere.”

“With all adults in Colorado becoming eligible to receive the vaccine starting tomorrow, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to putting the pandemic behind us -- now it’s time to usher in the Colorado Comeback,” said House Speaker Alec Garnett, (D-Denver). “Our stimulus plan will make bold, needed investments in families, small businesses and infrastructure projects to build Colorado back stronger as our economy safely reopens. By investing in shovel-ready renewable energy projects, the bill introduced with Rep. Froelich and Gray will create jobs across the state while preparing our economy for sustainable success.”

The eight bills address a range of issues, including infrastructure, rural economic development, agriculture and workforce development, and nearly all have bipartisan support. The bills include:

SB21-232: COSI Displaced Workers, sponsored by Senators Zenzinger & Kirkmeyer and Representatives Bird & Kipp.

• One of the top priorities of this stimulus package is getting Coloradans back to work, and one of the most efficient ways to do that is by investing in displaced workers. Increasing investments in these workers will provide them with the skills, supports and credentials necessary to secure good jobs. This bill appropriates $15 million for the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative's Displaced Workers Grant, which is estimated to serve at least 3,000 displaced Colorado workers across the state, as well as help institutions of higher education scale high-demand programs.

SB21-229: Rural Jump Start, sponsored by Senators Danielson & Story and Representatives Amabile & McKean.

• As we work to help rural Colorado recover, we are providing additional targeted relief for small communities, communities with particularly low unemployment or income levels, as well as fossil fuel communities in transition. This bill directs $3 million to the Rural Jump Start Grant Program, which helps economically distressed communities – particularly communities that will be affected by the energy market’s transition away from coal to more renewable energy sources – attract new businesses and jobs. Of the grants available, new businesses can receive up to $20,000 for establishing operations in rural jump-start zones and up to $2,500 for each new job they create. While businesses establishing operations in coal transition communities (as identified in the Office of Just Transition Action Plan) can receive up to $40,000 as well as up to $5,000 for each new job they create.

SB21-230: Clean Energy Finance, sponsored by Senators Hansen & Winter, and Representatives A. Valdez & Bernett.

• As Colorado works to transition our energy sector and meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals, there are many opportunities to invest in clean energy projects and help accelerate this transition. This bill allocates $40 million to the Colorado Energy Office for several clean energy finance initiatives. The majority of these funds will be directed to the Colorado Clean Energy Fund, which acts as Colorado’s “Green Bank” with the purpose of financing clean energy projects and bridging gaps between clean energy projects and private capital providers. The remaining funds will be spent between programs that support clean energy retrofits, energy-efficient new construction, clean energy lending and funding for the installation of EV charging stations at facilities across the state.

SB21-204: REDI Grants, sponsored by Senators Donovan & Rankin, and Representatives Young & Van Beber.

• In an effort to help rural communities diversify their local economies, this bill transfers $5 million to the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Grant Program to be used for projects that create diversity and resiliency in the local economies of rural communities. Over the past several years, REDI grants have funded improvements to historic buildings, investments in business centers, economic action plans, revitalization of infrastructure, and other economic development initiatives in rural communities around the state.

SB21-231: Weatherization & Resiliency Grants, sponsored by Senators Story & Hisey, and Representatives Hooton & Weissman.

• On average, low-income households pay over four times as much of their household income on energy costs and are sometimes forced to cut back on healthcare, childcare, groceries, and other expenses just to keep the bills paid. Weatherization can significantly alleviate these costs, as well as improve the lives and well-being of residents. This bill will provide $3 million to fund grants in the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides funding to low-income residents across the state to fund weatherization upgrades in their homes.

SB21-202: BEST, sponsored by Senators Moreno & Lundeen, and Representatives Sirota & Larson.

• Kids learn better in environments that are safe, clean, and healthy. Unfortunately, over the years, Colorado’s deferred maintenance of school facilities has grown, particularly in rural areas. This bill allocates $10 million for Building Excellent Schools Today Act grants to fund much-needed public school air quality improvement projects to improve air quality in as many public and charter school facilities as possible.

SB21-203: Funding For Colorado Proud, sponsored by Senators Bridges & Simpson, and Representatives D. Valdez & Pelton.

• Colorado’s robust agricultural sector has been the backbone of our economy for decades, and the pandemic has burdened the industry with unique challenges that will require additional resources to overcome. To accelerate the economic recovery of our agricultural and rural communities, this bill gives $2.5 million to the Department of Agriculture for use in the Colorado Proud program, which provides new opportunities for Colorado's food and agricultural producers to increase sales globally and helps support the growth and resiliency of Colorado food systems.

HB21-1253: Renewable & Clean Energy Project Grants, sponsored by Representatives Froelich & Gray and Senator Winter

• Market forces, consumer choices, and environmental consciousness have moved Colorado’s economy toward a sustainable clean energy future. This bill will invest $5 million into local government grants for shovel-ready, job-creating projects in the renewable energy sector. The grants are intended to be allocated by August 15, 2021, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is tasked with distributing the grants and will report to the General Assembly regarding the grants during its 2022 annual "SMART Act" presentation to legislative committees of reference. 

These bills will begin to make their way through the legislative process beginning with committees of reference before heading to Appropriations. The next round of stimulus bills will likely be introduced sometime early next week.

Bill to Address Health Disparities, Enhance Equity Advances with Bipartisan Support!

Legislation would establish program to impact social determinants of health among marginalized communities

Denver, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields that seeks to address health disparities and enhance equity in underrepresented communities across Colorado. 

“Marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by health issues. From lack of access to care to overexposure to toxins, low-income families and people of color face tremendous burdens when it comes to their health, ” said Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora), Senate Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. “In order to achieve health equity in our communities, we need to take steps to create social and physical environments that promote the health and well-being of all, no matter their socioeconomic status.” 

SB21-181 would establish the Health Disparities and Community Grant Program, which will award money for the purposes of positively affecting social determinants of health to reduce the risk of future disease and health conditions in underrepresented populations.

The bill would also require the Office of Health Equity to work with state agencies on a plan to address social determinants of health in each agency's respective area. The Office would then author a report every 2 years, outlining their finding and strategies for improvement. 

Having passed the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, the bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.

Bill to Support Colorado’s Educator Workforce Clears Committee!

Zenzinger receives bipartisan support for legislation that will work to recruit and retain quality teachers

DENVER, CO - Today, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger was approved with bipartisan support from the Senate Education Committee. SB21-185 would help reduce the teacher shortage in Colorado by empowering local leaders to recruit subject matter experts into the educator workforce, supporting the development of a workforce that more closely reflects the diversity of Colorado’s students, and expanding pathways into the profession.

“We need to support our students by recruiting and retaining more quality teachers, teachers that will reinvigorate our schools as bright, inspiring leaders for our kids to look up to,” said Senator Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This bill will work to attract talented educators into the profession by bringing people in from multiple entry points, including young students, new graduates, career changers, veterans, and content experts – ensuring all students have access to great teachers and role models.” 

Colorado has suffered from ongoing teacher shortages for a matter of years – seeing a 17 percent decrease in teacher preparation program enrollment over the last decade. The state also has poor diversity in its teacher workforce, with only 9 percent of teachers being people of color while 46 percent of students identify as being from BIPOC communities. Such shortages have a particularly detrimental effect on rural schools, which face even tougher challenges in recruiting and keeping teachers.

In an effort to address this ongoing challenge, the Keystone Policy Center and the Public Education & Business Coalition worked with leaders to form the Education System Resiliency and Innovation Initiative (ESRII), a broad coalition and research initiative focused on strengthening the teacher workforce, improving educator supports for teacher practice and instructional delivery, and identifying additional systemic shifts that could build off of learning from the current disruption. 

From June 2020 - January 2021, more than 80 stakeholders from across Colorado’s education ecosystem and private sector met to identify opportunities to learn from the challenges presented by COVID and innovations developed by leaders across the state responding to their local communities’ needs. In February of 2021, the group published Rebuilding Stronger which consists16 recommendations for action at the state and local levels.

SB 21-185 draws on several recommendations from this collective work as well as the previous work of the legislature, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and the state’s broad education ecosystem.

Specifically, the bill will:

• Allow a school district or charter school to employ a person who holds an adjunct instructor authorization to teach in all content areas in order to address recruiting challenges and establish a diverse workforce.

• Create the educator recruitment and retention program (ERR) in CDE to provide support to members of the armed forces, nonmilitary-affiliated educator candidates and local education providers to recruit, select, train, and retain highly qualified educators across the state. Eligible ERR program participants may receive up to $10,000 for the tuition cost of participating in an educator preparation program.

• Create the teacher recruitment education and preparation program (TREP) program with the aim of increasing the number of students entering the teaching profession and creating a more diverse teacher workforce to reflect the ethnic diversity of the state. 

• Require the state board for community colleges and occupational education, the department of higher education, and the deans of the schools of education in Colorado institutions of higher education, to collaborate and design a teaching career pathway for individuals to enter the teaching profession.

The legislation now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Information and updates regarding the bill can be found at leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-185.

Senate Expands Access to Reproductive Healthcare

Bill to repeal restrictions on abortion care for the most vulnerable Coloradans passes upper chamber

DENVER, CO - Today, the Senate passed SB21-142, a bill sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen and Kerry Donovan that would allow sexual violence survivors on Medicaid to access all reproductive care options closer to home by removing restrictions on the types of buildings where care is covered as well as physician requirement barriers.

“Under current law, victims of sexual violence are forced to travel long distances in order to receive abortion care,” said Senator Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “But this bill ensures that survivors of rape and incest have access to the health services they need in Colorado, no matter their income level or where they live.”

“If you become pregnant as a result of sexual violence, you should not have to travel across the entire state to just one specific location in Denver to receive medical care. Rural sexual violence survivors are entitled to the same care and access as victims in the metro area,” said Senator Donovan (D-Vail). "This bill ensures that in the most traumatizing of times, women are supported rather than burdened."

Current law only allows public funding to be used to pay for abortion care in certain health care facilities – generally hospitals – and requires that they only be performed by a physician – despite the fact that safe abortion care is offered in several out-patient care facilities across the state, including primary care offices, OBGYN offices, abortion clinics, etc. and are routinely performed by other kinds of certified healthcare providers like nurse practitioners.

These restrictions solely and exclusively impact Medicaid-eligible sexual violence survivors because people with private insurance are not subject to facility or physician-only restrictions when seeking abortion care. As a result, sexual violence survivors on Medicaid have no options for care outside the Denver metro area. By repealing this restriction, this bill would expand this coverage to Medicaid recipients across the state, and allow survivors of sexual violence to seek the care they need closer to home.

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration. Information and updates regarding the bill can be found at leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-142.

With a Large Roster of Bills in Play, the State Legislature Marches Toward Another Busy Week

Bills on greenhouse gas reductions, building the educator workforce, behavioral health, cultural equity, and reducing recidivism all head to committees this week

DENVER, CO - As the legislative season continues, there are many priority bills that are hoping to score in committee this week. Highlights include:

SB21-185: Supporting Educator Workforce In Colorado, sponsored by Senators Zenzinger & Rankin.

• Colorado is facing a teacher shortage. Additionally, shortages of school psychologists, school physical therapists, school social workers and school speech-language pathologists are all too common across the state. This bill seeks to address the teacher shortage in Colorado, empower local leaders in recruiting subject matter experts into the educator workforce, develop a workforce that more closely reflects the diversity of Colorado’s students, elevate the teaching profession, expand pathways into the profession and raise the profile of all pathways into the education workforce.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Education Committee upon adjournment of morning floor work on Wednesday, March 31st in Senate Committee Room 357.

SB21-137: Behavioral Health Recovery Act, sponsored by Senator Pettersen.

• The pandemic has exacerbated many issues, but particularly behavioral health problems, as both our minds and bodies have been significantly burdened over the last year. Overdose deaths and suicides have skyrocketed because of the lack of access to services and a disconnection to people. This bill seeks to rectify these issues by creating various behavioral health grant programs to assist local governments and rural municipalities address substance abuse, maternal & child health, & other behavioral health prevention and treatment programs around the state.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee at 1:30PM on Wednesday, March 31st in Senate Committee Room 352.

SB21-116: Prohibit American Indian Mascots, sponsored by Senator Danielson.

• Though we have made great strides in equity, diversity, and inclusion, we still have a long way to go. This bill is a common sense proposal that prohibits the use of Native Americans as mascots--because no one’s culture or ancestral history should be a tokenized costume.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Education Committee at 1:30PM on Thursday, April 1st in Senate Committee Room 357.

SB21-146: Improve Prison Release Outcomes, sponsored by Senator Lee.

• In Colorado we must do a better job of providing former inmates with the tools necessary to reintegrate back into normal life and find pathways to seek education, employment, and ultimately, success. SB21-146 will help provide those pathways. This bill will require the Colorado Department of Corrections to develop a recommended parole plan for every inmate prior to release from prison, as well as procedures for special needs parole -- a more carefully crafted parole plan with additional support and resources for inmates with severe physical, mental, or behavioral health issues. This will not only decrease the likelihood of recidivism, but will help continue the work on the long road ahead of untangling mental health support systems and correctional facilities.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30PM on Thursday, April 1st in Senate Committee Room 352.

HB21-1106: Safe Storage Of Firearms, sponsored by Senators Bridges & Hansen.

• Every year, thousands of gun deaths nationwide and hundreds of gun deaths in Colorado occur because of improperly and unsafely stored firearms. Additionally, people who live in homes with guns stored in an unsafe manner are more likely to commit suicide. This bill seeks to reduce gun deaths by requiring that firearms be securely stored when not in use, and requiring licensed gun dealers to provide a storage device with the purchase of firearms.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30PM on Thursday, April 1st in Senate Committee Room 352.

In addition to the bills above, SB21:176: Protecting Opportunities And Workers' Rights Act & SB21-181: Equity Strategic Plan Address Health Disparities, which were originally on the calendar last week have been rescheduled for committees this week.

To listen to committee hearings, visit leg.colorado.gov/watch-listen. The full Senate calendar for the week can be found at http://leg.colorado.gov/session-schedule?type=senate

Senate Approves Bills to Address COVID-related Learning Loss, Improve Juvenile Justice​

Denver, CO -- Today, the Senate approved two pieces of legislation that would direct the Department of Education to prioritize filling in student learning gaps caused by the pandemic as well as make necessary improvements to Colorado’s juvenile detention system.

SB21-013, sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, requires CDE to identify and create a resource bank of educational products, strategies, and services that have demonstrated effectiveness in reversing student learning loss. CDE must also provide info about nonprofit entities that school districts, boards, and charter schools can work with to improve student outcomes following the pandemic.

“With the chaos of this past year, public schools have tirelessly navigated the ever-changing needs of students and teachers – redesigning methods of instruction, dealing with ongoing health risks, and providing comprehensive community support,” said Senator Fields (D-Aurora). “But despite their best efforts, our K-12 students are now months and months behind, with low-income kids and students of color struggling even more. This bill will help fill in these gaps and make sure no student is left behind.”

SB21-066, sponsored by Senator Pete Lee will instruct the Division of Criminal Justice to instill a greater focus and emphasis on diversion programs that give troubled youth a pathway to find help, rather than just pushing them into the detention system.

“For many Coloradans, a life in and out of the criminal justice system begins as a child,” said Senator Pete Lee (D-Colorado Springs), Judiciary Committee Chair. “Unfortunately in this state, we do not provide our youth with adequate support services they need to improve their lives and avoid the revolving door of jail. This bill would provide juveniles with opportunities for education, reconciliation and -- ultimately -- reformation, so that they can successfully reintegrate back into their community.” 

Bills to Expand Preventative & Reproductive Health Care Clear Committee!

Legislation would protect health coverage outlined under the ACA & expand access to critical family planning services and preventative care

DENVER, CO – Last night, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved two pieces of legislation that would permanently protect preventative health benefits covered by insurance carriers, and expand access to vital care. 

SB21-016, sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen and Dominick Moreno, would enshrine provisions already established by federal law under the Affordable Care Act, solidifying their place in Colorado law and ensuring that Coloradans will be protected – regardless of potential national rollbacks of insurance coverage. 

“Persisting barriers within our healthcare system keep patients from accessing the treatment they need,” said Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “With this bill, we will be able to break down some of these barriers while expanding access to preventative care to ensure that our residents can get the vital services they need to stay healthy.”

The bill would also mandate an expansion of covered preventative healthcare benefits to include osteoporosis screening, urinary incontinence screening, and the screening and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

SB21-025, also sponsored by Senator Pettersen, would expand eligibility requirements for family planning services to allow more low-income Coloradans to access reproductive care – make it easier for women particularly those most marginalized, to access contraceptives.

“Reproductive health care should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. Yet countless low-income women from marginalized communities are unable to access this critical care due to cost,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood. “We need to ensure that all women, regardless of financial resources, are able to receive the family planning services they need to decide if and when they want to start a family - helping ensure financially secure and healthy families.”

As of 2019, there were 58,000 women in Colorado without health insurance coverage for family planning services, and more than 21,000 of them fell between 139% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Line.

As such, the bill would increase income eligibility limits for family planning services up to 260 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Currently, adults are eligible for these services with incomes up to 133% FPL, but tens of thousands of Coloradans lack access to needed family planning services. The legislation would also support the health and well-being of families and children by reducing unintended pregnancies, empowering people to attain their education goals, help create financially secure and strong families, and reduce the number of people who need to use Medicaid and CHP+ for pregnancy and postpartum coverage.

Both bills now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Legislation to Expand Access to Reproductive Healthcare Advances

Bill to repeal restrictions on abortion care approved by Senate Health & Human Services Committee

DENVER, CO - This afternoon, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee passed  SB21-142, a bill sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen and Senate President Pro Temp Kerry Donovan that would allow sexual violence survivors on Medicaid to access all reproductive care options closer to home by removing restrictions on the types of buildings where certain care is covered and removing the physician requirement barriers.

“Under current law, victims of sexual violence are forced to travel long distances in order to receive abortion care,” said Senator Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “But this bill ensures that survivors of rape and incest have access to the health services they need in Colorado, no matter their income level or where they live.”

“If you become pregnant as a result of sexual violence, you should not have to travel across the entire state to just one specific location in Denver to receive medical care. Rural sexual violence survivors are entitled to the same care and access as victims in the metro area,” said Senator Donovan (D-Vail). "This bill ensures that in the most traumatizing of times, women are supported rather than burdened ”

Current law only allows public funding to be used to pay for abortion care in highly specific locations and requires that they only be performed by a physician – despite the fact that safe abortion care is offered in several out-patient care facilities across the state, including primary care offices, OBGYN offices, abortion clinics, etc. and are routinely performed by other kinds of certified healthcare providers like nurse practitioners. 

These restrictions solely and exclusively impact Medicaid-eligible sexual violence survivors because people with private insurance are not subject to facility or physician-only restrictions when seeking abortion care. As a result, sexual violence survivors on Medicaid have no options for care outside the Denver metro area. By repealing this restriction, this bill would expand this coverage to Medicaid recipients across the state, and allow survivors of sexual violence to seek the care they need closer to home.

The legislation now moves to the Senate Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Information and updates regarding the bill can be found at leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-142.

Bill to Support Seniors, Increase Health Care Access Passes Committee Unanimously!

Legislation would expand access to medical providers in certain regions of the state to make it easier for seniors to access care

DENVER, CO -- Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson and Senator Brittany Pettersen that would expand access to healthcare for seniors throughout Colorado. 

“Throughout Colorado, seniors struggle to access the care they need, which is not only dangerous to their health but indicative of unacceptable neglect of our community elders,” said Senator Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “By increasing medical providers, seniors will be able to get treatment without having to travel long distances or being forced to forego care altogether. We owe it to our parents and grandparents to provide them the support they need.” 

The bill, SB21-158, would make modifications to the Colorado health service corps program to expand the availability of geriatric care providers for seniors in shortage areas in the state.

“Limited access to medical providers in certain regions of the state keep vulnerable Coloradans -- especially seniors -- from getting the care they need,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood. “Our senior population is set to increase by 40% over next decade, so with provider shortages already crippling the state, it’s imperative that we fill in these gaps – ensuring that aging Coloradans can access the dignified care they deserve.”  

Having passed the Senate Health and Human Services committee, the bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.

Bill to Establish Financial Empowerment Office Clears Committee

Senator Julie Gonzales’ bill to provide financial literacy resources and promote an equitable economic recovery passes through Senate Finance

DENVER, CO - This afternoon, Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee gave initial approval to SB21-148, a bill sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales that would create the Financial Empowerment Office in the Department of Law.

Specifically, the Office would be tasked with promoting methods to increase access to affordable financial products and resources like safe and secure banking, credit counseling, debt management, and access to capital. These tools improve Coloradans’ financial management opportunities, promote fiscal stability, and center community-informed strategies that dismantle systemic barriers for low-income Coloradans and communities of color.

“Today, leaders from the Black and Latino communities, as well as urban and rural residents, and even the banking and lending industries all testified in support,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Although Colorado’s economy appears to be on its way to recovery, a closer look reveals that low-wage workers are still very much on the margins. To ensure an equitable recovery, we must do more to level the playing field and provide everyday Coloradans with the tools they need to break out of cycles of poverty and become economically resilient. I will continue to work to ensure that the American Dream of economic freedom is accessible to all Coloradans.”

In addition to the tasks assigned, the Office will be required to collaborate with other state agencies in supporting the creation of community-based efforts and helping to build financial education and well-being in communities across the state so as to foster grassroots support and ensure community-driven results.

Having passed the Senate Finance Committee, the bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.

Boulder Senators Grieve the Senseless Loss of Life After King Soopers Shooting

Ten fatalities from mass shooting event spark pain and outrage in Colorado community 

DENVER, CO –  Following the mass shooting at a King Soopers in Boulder's Table Mesa neighborhood, senators from the community, including Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Senator Tammy Story, released the subsequent statement: 

"Yesterday our community suffered a horrifying and excruciating loss. Innocent lives were cut brutally short. Running to grab a carton of milk with their kids, or a soda on a lunch break, they were met with deadly, senseless violence. Violence that has become all too common in America. A country where 100 people are killed every day by guns and yet our federal legislation has remained painfully inadequate. We need fundamental change, or we’ll be back here again and again, in never-ending cycles of unnecessary loss and pain. Our hearts are sickeningly heavy for the families of the victims, and while we send them all our love and support, we also call on our national leaders to do more than sympathize, we need them to act. In the meantime, Colorado will continue to lead by example —passing meaningful gun safety legislation in the hopes that no family has to face this ever again.”

As Seasons Change, Senate Democrats Maintain Spring in their Step with Another Busy Week in the Legislature

Bills on financial empowerment, reproductive health care, health equity, preventative health care coverage, and worker’s rights all head to committees this week

DENVER, CO - As the Senate calendar continues to grow, several legislative priorities hope to blossom in committee this week. Highlights include:

SB21-148: Creation Of The Financial Empowerment Office, sponsored by Senator Gonzales.

• Our economic system is constructed in a way that perpetuates cycles of poverty and continues to inhibit economic mobility for the most vulnerable Coloradans. As we rebuild our economy, we must do more to lift up our most marginalized communities and give them the tools to reach economic prosperity. This bill will establish the Financial Empowerment Office to grow the financial resilience and well-being of Coloradans through specified community-derived goals and strategies. The Office will provide tools and resources that improve Coloradans’ financial management, promote financial stability, expand access to financial counseling, increase access to affordable banking and low-cost credit, and identify barriers to financial empowerment.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee at 1:30PM today, Monday March 22nd in the Old Supreme Court Chambers.

SB21-009: Reproductive Health Care Program, sponsored by Senator Jaquez Lewis.

• Starting a family is no small decision, and it is one that should be done with careful and calculated planning. This bill seeks to assist those who are thinking of starting a family by establishing the Reproductive Health Care Program to provide a 12-month supply of contraceptives and counseling services without prior authorization or co-pays to eligible individuals, regardless of citizenship status. 

This bill will be heard by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee at 1:30PM today, Monday March 22nd in Senate Committee Room 357.

SB21-181 Equity Strategic Plan Address Health Disparities, sponsored by Senators Fields & Coram.

• Last year, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment declared racism a public health crisis. Social determinants such as zip code, ethnicity, income, food, and housing too often lead to significant health disparities and result in people of color being disproportionately impacted by sickness and instability. We must address these systemic inequities and racial biases baked into our institutions. This bill establishes the Health Disparities and Community Grant Program, which will award money for the purposes of positively affecting social determinants of health – reducing the risk of future disease and health conditions in underrepresented populations.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee at 1:30PM today, Monday, March 22nd in Senate Committee Room 357.

SB21-016: Protecting Preventive Health Care Coverage, sponsored by Senators Moreno & Pettersen.

• Although preventative healthcare screenings can significantly increase life expectancy and reduce potential insurance costs, many screenings aren’t covered by typical health plans, leaving consumers to bear the burden of cost. This bill requires the addition of several preventative health care services--including osteoporosis screening, urinary incontinence screening and STI health care--to be covered by health plans so that everyone can get the preventive care they need, regardless of cost.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Health & Human Services Committee at 1:30PM on Wednesday March 24th in Senate Committee Room 357.

SB21-176: Protecting Opportunities And Workers' Rights Act, sponsored by Senators Winter & Pettersen.

• For too long, individuals – particularly women – have faced workplace harassment and discrimination without proper protections, leaving bad actors unchecked, providing no incentive for employers to address bad behavior, and allowing abuse to endure without real repercussions. The POWR Act establishes caregivers as a protected status and ensures that employers don’t discriminate against those caring for children or loved ones – a crucial provision if we are going to fully recover from this pandemic both socially and economically.

This bill will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30PM on Thursday March 25th in the Old Supreme Court Chambers.

To listen to committee hearings, visit leg.colorado.gov/watch-listen. The full Senate calendar for the week can be found at http://leg.colorado.gov/session-schedule?type=senate

JOINT RELEASE: Colorado is Bouncing Back But Long-term Challenges Remain

DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the March economic forecasts, both of which project higher General Fund revenue compared to earlier estimates, but warn of likely budgeting challenges in years to come, as structural deficits remain and the potential for TABOR refunds re-emerge. 

“Today’s budget forecast is a breath of fresh air. After a year of discouraging news and depressed projections, we are finally seeing our state’s upward trajectory materialize,” said JBC Chair Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “Thanks to the diligent efforts by this committee and an accelerated economic rebound, Colorado’s recovery is looking even more promising. At the same time, we must remember that these are one-time funds. Beyond the current fiscal year, long-term budget issues persist – making it imperative that we keep one eye on the horizon and prepare for other potential storms”

“I’m thrilled that today’s forecast shows our economy is recovering stronger than initially predicted last year and that our state and the federal stimulus efforts are starting to make a big difference for Coloradans,” said JBC Vice-Chair Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “While our state finances are looking up, too many people in our communities are still unemployed and struggling to pay for basic needs. This better-than-expected recovery of state revenues has created an opportunity to use the one-time dollars we have to further boost our economy and help Colorado build back stronger.”

"While this revenue forecast is certainly a relief, the economic situation continues to leave many low-income families behind," said JBC Member Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. "As we move forward, particularly with our state stimulus package, we must be diligent in prioritizing equity and inclusion as well as funding for essential programs that help the most vulnerable Coloradans recover and support robust job growth."

“While we know we’re not back to where we were pre-pandemic, today’s forecast is good news for Colorado and shows we’ll have significant one-time resources to boost our economy and help Coloradans get back to work,” said JBC Member Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “Federal and state stimulus efforts have kept the bottom from falling out of our economy, and as a result, we have one-time funds we can use to help Colorado recover even faster and build back stronger. I’m committed to working with the governor and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass an innovative stimulus package and a balanced budget that will forge an inclusive recovery that helps those hit hardest by the pandemic.”

The Legislative Council staff (LCS) March forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $12.7 billion in FY 2020-21 and $13.8 billion in FY 2021-2022 – a $570.9 million and $665.4 million increase from the December revenue forecast respectively. These persistent improvements in the state’s economic outlook are due in large part to federal and state stimulus dollars, which have allowed Colorado to invest in struggling industries and insulate from the most severe potentialities. However, Colorado is still seeing inequitable recovery trends, marked by severe differences between industries and income levels. This means that while some sectors and households are bouncing back to pre-recession levels, others continue to struggle. 

The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $12.9 billion for FY 2020-21, which OSPB revised upward by $425 million relative to its December estimate. For FY 2021-22, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be close to $13.9 billion, which OSPB revised upward by $390.6 million relative to its December estimate. OSPB predicts that revenue subject to TABOR will come in below the Referendum C cap in FY20-21 and FY21-22, but TABOR refunds are forecasted to potentially return in FY22-23.

Both LCS and OSPB also identified upside risks to the forecast driven by anticipated near-term, economic booms – increasing spending, employment, incomes, and tax revenue. However, downside risks to the estimate were also identified, including the possibility of inflation, financial market volatility, and interest rate hikes as the effects of federal and state stimulus funds fade. 

Senate Democrats Address Inequities in School Funding Formula, Bolster K-12 Education

Bill would fix long-standing property tax issues and strengthen Colorado schools in every community

DENVER, CO - This afternoon, the Senate Education Committee gave bipartisan approval for HB21-1164, a bill sponsored by Education Committee Chair, Senator Rachel Zenzinger and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, with the goal of securing adequate funding for K-12 education.

“Education funding in our state has long been an issue, and has been complicated by the entanglement of numerous property tax provisions,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This bill moves us significantly closer to resolving the structural inequity in Colorado’s property tax system that must be fixed to ensure our schools have the funding they desperately need.”

“All Colorado students and taxpayers deserve a fair share of our public education budget,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “Funding our K-12 schools is no easy task, but it’s critical that we find equitable revenue solutions to make sure every student has access to the quality of education they deserve.”

In Colorado, K-12 education funding is largely dictated by the School Finance Act, which in 1988 set a uniform school district mill levy -- a property tax applied based on the assessed value of the property -- so that theoretically, each resident would contribute the same proportion of local property taxes to school funding. 

However, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights imposes a cap on school district tax revenue. So between 1994 and 2002, voters in 174 of 178 school districts in Colorado chose to permanently waive TABOR’s revenue limitations (“De-Bruce”) in order to fill in the gaps caused by its arbitrary restrictions on public school funding. Despite those votes, the Colorado Dept. of Education continued to require school districts to reduce their tax rates (total program mill levy) to remain under TABOR’s revenue limits – even though they were legally no longer subject to those limits. There is strong reason to believe that these forced reductions were illegitimate and the source of serious structural inequity.

Due to this error, some property owners pay tax rates that are 16 times higher than that of taxpayers in neighboring school districts on properties of the same value, which forces the state to send disproportionately high state funding to our wealthiest districts, subtracting from what would otherwise be distributed to all districts.

Following the bill’s passage on second reading in the Senate, an accompanying Supreme Court interrogatory resolution will be introduced. The Colorado Supreme Court will then review the state’s authority to align our property tax system with original voter intent, without requiring additional local elections. 

HB21-1164 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration, and should it pass, a full debate by the Senate will take place.

Bill to Improve Juvenile Justice Clears Committee!

Senator Lee champions effort to keep kids out of detention and in the process of rehabilitation

Denver, CO – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Pete Lee that would make necessary improvements to Colorado’s juvenile detention system so that it is more equitable, just and fair.

"For many Coloradans, a life in and out of the criminal justice system begins as a child,” said Senator Pete Lee (D-Colorado Springs), bill sponsor and Judiciary Committee Chair. “Unfortunately in this state, we do not provide our youth with adequate support services they need to improve their lives and avoid the revolving door of jail. This bill will increase opportunities for diversion to community-based restorative justice programs so that they can successfully reintegrate back home and become productive members of society.”

This bill will direct the Division of Criminal Justice to instill a greater focus and emphasis on diversion programs that give troubled youth a pathway to find help, rather than just pushing them into the detention system.

SB21-066 now moves to the Committee on the Whole for consideration. To track the progress of the bill, visit the Colorado General Assembly’s website.