Bill to Create Front Range Passenger Rail District Becomes Law

New law outlines plan to create a district tasked with constructing a passenger rail line from New Mexico to Wyoming Border

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that will create the “Front Range Passenger Rail District.” SB21-238, sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia and Senator Rachel Zenzinger, 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.

"SB21-238, my bill laying the groundwork for high speed passenger rail along the Front Range Corridor, is a monumental investment in the long term health of Pueblo, Southern Colorado, and rural communities," said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). "Now that the Governor has officially signed this bill into law, we are one step closer to having the state of the art public transit system that delivers the economic development the region needs to truly thrive."

“For the last twenty years, I have worked tirelessly on transportation and transit issues, and I could not be more proud to see our bill to create a Front Range Passenger Rail District become law,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “Our residents need increased transit access to get to where they need to go. This vital law will lay the groundwork for planning, designing and constructing a transportation solution that will provide a safe, sustainable and reliable travel option for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans all along the Front Range.”  

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  for example federal investment.

Governor Signs Bill to Make Historic $15 Million Investment to Help Fossil Fuel Communities Transition to Renewable Energy

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a Colorado Comeback bill into law that aims to support communities transitioning away from fossil fuels. HB21-1290, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, will invest $15 million to help communities shift away from fossil fuels to more renewable sources of energy.

“While clean energy projects are cementing their place in Colorado’s future, it’s on us to make sure traditionally coal dependent communities aren’t left behind,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “The Office of Just Transition is taking the lead on supporting fossil fuel dependent communities through the transition to our clean energy future. I’m so proud to sponsor legislation to support the office, as well as the workers and communities it serves.”

Of the $15 million included in the bill, $8 million is dedicated to economic development in specific communities and $7 million is dedicated to workforce initiatives to directly assist coal transition workers and their families.

As our state transitions to renewable energy, we must also make critical investments in the workers and communities whose jobs and livelihoods are impacted as a result of this shift in the energy economy.

In 2019, Democrats in the legislature created the Office of Just Transition to guide communities transitioning from coal toward economic resilience. This bill builds on that progress by providing significant funding for workforce programs, local capacity grants, transition-related economic development grants, and critical infrastructure investments to boost economies that have been dependent on coal. 

Major Education Bills to Support Colorado Students & Enhance Equity Become Law

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the governor signed three major education bills into law that will protect student loan borrowers, invest $50 million to support higher education, and study improvements to Colorado’s school funding formula.

SB21-057, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter and Julie Gonzales, will provide protections – similar to the protections granted for federal loans – to students who take out private loans to be used for postsecondary education.

“Private student loan lenders have been using predatory practices to take advantage of borrowers for years. As people struggle to find work during the economic downturn, this issue has only been exacerbated,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “If we are going to successfully recover following this devastating pandemic, we need to provide protections for the hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who are crippled by student debt and allow them the space to forge a path towards financial freedom.”

“The growing student debt crisis is hurting people of color the most,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “Paying back student loans should be fair and transparent, yet student borrowers and their families are continually exploited by predatory lending practices, exacerbating racial disparities and inequity. This law will protect vulnerable and marginalized borrowers in Colorado – giving people a chance to fight for their economic future.”

Colorado borrowers currently owe $9.1 billion in private student loan debt and that number is growing. As the cost of college has risen, it widens an already large intergenerational debt and wealth gap between families of color and white families. Black, Latinx, and low-income borrowers use private student loans less, compared to white and higher-income borrowers, but frequently face higher levels of challenges in repayment. 

HB21-1330, sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, utilizes federal stimulus dollars to invest a historic $50 million in the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, Colorado Department of Education programs to incentivize students to re-enroll and complete postsecondary credentials and degrees, and a grant program to assist students in completing applications for financial assistance.

HB21-1325, also sponsored by Senator Zenzinger, establishes a bipartisan interim committee process to recommend additional changes to the school finance formula. Many of the original provisions in the bill were adopted in this year’s School Finance Act, such as updating the school funding formula to include a factor for English Language Learners (ELL) to provide additional resources to schools that have a higher ELL enrollment and adjusting the definition of “at-risk pupils” to include students eligible to receive reduced-price lunch.

“These bills will help students on every level,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “HB21-1325 builds upon the important work that the school finance interim committee was accomplishing, in the effort to make school funding most equitable. And HB21-1330 will help keep higher-ed students in school and on track toward appropriate degrees, despite the continued economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Bill to Enhance Equity for Marginalized Communities in Colorado Becomes Law

New law would eliminate the sub-minimum wage for those with intellectual & developmental disabilities 

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the governor signed a bill into law that aims to protect Colorado’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community.

SB21-039, sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, would eliminate the sub-minimum wage in Colorado – an unlivable wage that is legally allowed to be paid to employees with IDD.

“Individuals with disabilities are valuable members of our communities and our economy, yet they are currently paid lower wages than their counterparts for doing the same work. This is an unfair and discriminatory practice that must end,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This law will address this inequity while ensuring that the individuals in these programs are successful in transitioning to competitive employment by enhancing employment supports overall."

Currently, some employers hold certificates that authorize them to pay people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a sub-minimum wage – currently set at 15% lower – which can be as low as 10 cents per hour up to a few dollars per hour. Starting this summer, the bill would prohibit any employer from hiring employees at the sub-minimum wage, and would require those with sub-minimum wage employees to submit a plan to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) detailing how they plan to phase out the sub-minimum wage by 2025. 

Major Education Bills to Support Colorado Students & Enhance Equity Become Law

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the governor signed three major education bills into law that will protect student loan borrowers, invest $50 million to support higher education, and study improvements to Colorado’s school funding formula.

SB21-057, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter and Julie Gonzales, will provide protections – similar to the protections granted for federal loans – to students who take out private loans to be used for postsecondary education.

“Private student loan lenders have been using predatory practices to take advantage of borrowers for years. As people struggle to find work during the economic downturn, this issue has only been exacerbated,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “If we are going to successfully recover following this devastating pandemic, we need to provide protections for the hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who are crippled by student debt and allow them the space to forge a path towards financial freedom.”

“The growing student debt crisis is hurting people of color the most,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “Paying back student loans should be fair and transparent, yet student borrowers and their families are continually exploited by predatory lending practices, exacerbating racial disparities and inequity. This law will protect vulnerable and marginalized borrowers in Colorado – giving people a chance to fight for their economic future.”

Colorado borrowers currently owe $9.1 billion in private student loan debt and that number is growing. As the cost of college has risen, it widens an already large intergenerational debt and wealth gap between families of color and white families. Black, Latinx, and low-income borrowers use private student loans less, compared to white and higher-income borrowers, but frequently face higher levels of challenges in repayment. 

HB21-1330, sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, utilizes federal stimulus dollars to invest a historic $50 million in the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, Colorado Department of Education programs to incentivize students to re-enroll and complete postsecondary credentials and degrees, and a grant program to assist students in completing applications for financial assistance.

HB21-1325, also sponsored by Senator Zenzinger, establishes a bipartisan interim committee process to recommend additional changes to the school finance formula. Many of the original provisions in the bill were adopted in this year’s School Finance Act, such as updating the school funding formula to include a factor for English Language Learners (ELL) to provide additional resources to schools that have a higher ELL enrollment and adjusting the definition of “at-risk pupils” to include students eligible to receive reduced-price lunch.

“These bills will help students on every level,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “HB21-1325 builds upon the important work that the school finance interim committee was accomplishing, in the effort to make school funding most equitable. And HB21-1330 will help keep higher-ed students in school and on track toward appropriate degrees, despite the continued economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Colorado Comeback Bills to Support Agriculture Industry Become Law

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the governor signed two Colorado Comeback bills into law that aim to support our state’s agriculture industry. The first bill will provide funding for the National Western Stock Show, the Colorado State Fair, and other local/county agricultural events throughout the state. The second bill includes funding to implement the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program to support first-time farmers, ranchers and businesses.

HB21-1262, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia, that invests $25 million into the National Western Complex to ensure the Stock Show remains in Colorado – a staple to the state’s agricultural economy and Denver’s economy – and provides $3.5 million to the National Western, $5 million for the State Fair, and $2 million to agricultural events and organizations across the state.

“Pueblo has hosted the Colorado State Fair since its inception nearly 150 years ago. It isn’t just a statewide tradition, it is an opportunity for economic development in Pueblo and Southern Colorado,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “An economic recovery would be incomplete without making strong investments in the financial health of Southern Colorado and the agriculture industry, which is why I’m proud to see that my bill to invest $5 million to support the State Fair is officially the law of the land!” 

SB21-248, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Temp Kerry Donovan, allocates $30 million to create and implement the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program. This program will provide low-interest loans to beginning farmers and ranchers as well as farm-to-market infrastructure loans for businesses – putting Colorado on a pathway toward a sustainable and prosperous future for the agriculture industry.

“The most pressing challenges that lie ahead for Colorado – water and drought, wildfires, and labor shortages – all have a major impact on the agriculture industry,” said Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail). “By transferring this $30 million into the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program we invest not only in the present recovery of the industry, but in the long-term success of agriculture in our state. The program will empower and support a new generation of farmers and ranchers in Colorado who will shepherd the industry forward.”

Although Colorado’s vibrant agricultural sector has served as the backbone of the state’s economy for decades, the industry must navigate a tumultuous future in which an estimated 64% of Colorado producers will exit farming, and over 20 million acres of Colorado’s agricultural land will need a new farmer. This bill will negotiate these challenges, invest in the future of Colorado agriculture, and provide incentives to build capacity for beginning farmers and ranchers.

Colorado Comeback Bill to Enhance Broadband Development Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a Colorado Comeback bill into law that aims to expand access to broadband in communities throughout Colorado. HB21-1289, sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, provides $75 million to increase internet access across Colorado to support services that have become a necessity during the pandemic, such as telehealth.

“Especially after this last year, more and more of our economy is online, and we have an obligation to make sure every Coloradan can participate in that economy,” said Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village). “Connecting unserved and underserved communities to high speed reliable internet creates more opportunity for everyone, and increases statewide equity and prosperity for all of our families.”

It specifically includes $20M for the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute Tribes. Colorado has an opportunity to help bridge the digital divide exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing broadband access for our students, communities and businesses, and this bill takes a big first step.

SIGNED! Bill to Expand Multilingual Ballot Access Becomes Law

New law will expand voter access among non-English speakers & strengthen our democracy 

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that will make it easier for non-English speakers to vote in Colorado. 

HB21-1011, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales and Dominick Moreno, acknowledges the need for improvement and expansion in supporting Colorado citizens who struggle to speak or read English by requiring certain counties to provide multilingual ballot access.

“Even with Colorado’s gold-standard election system, there’s still work to be done so that everyone can make their voice heard,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “With thousands of Spanish-speaking citizens across the state, it is critical that we provide multilingual ballot options – ensuring that every eligible Coloradan has the resources they need to fully participate in our democracy.”

Additionally, the bill tasks the Secretary of State with creating a multilingual ballot hotline that provides translators and interpreters, intended to apply to all general elections beginning for the November 2022 election and for every state-wide odd-year election.

“Colorado has some of the most free, fair, and open elections in the country, however, we cannot confuse eligibility with access,” said Senator Moreno (D-Commerce City). “This common-sense law will enfranchise countless voters and ensure our governing institutions more accurately reflect the will of the people.”

Bills to Grant In-State Tuition to American Indians & End the Use of Discriminatory Mascots Become Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed two bills into law that aim to support Colorado’s American Indian population. The first would require certain colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition to American Indians, and the other would ban the use of discriminatory mascots in public schools. 

SB21-029, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, would require public state colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition to students who are a member of an American Indian tribe with historical ties to Colorado.

“Today brings us one step closer to ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to American Indian students with tribal ties to the land we now know as Colorado,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “This is an important step in appreciating the tribal nations historically tied to Colorado, as well as acknowledging Colorado’s painful history and the forced removal that has had a severely negative impact on Native nations.”

The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs as well as History Colorado maintain the list of tribes with historic ties to Colorado – including at least 50 distinct communities. According to the United States Census Bureau population survey, approximately 19% of college-aged American Indian tribe members were enrolled in college in 2016, compared to 41% of the total college-aged population – the lowest percentage of all race and ethnicity groups surveyed.

SB21-116, sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson, would prohibit the use of American Indians as mascots in Colorado public schools.

“Not only have Indigenous Peoples had their homeland stolen but their culture has been continually trivialized and appropriated,” said Senator Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge). “For decades, schools and sports teams have used degrading imagery as mascots – calling themselves the ‘Savages,’ ‘Reds,’ or ‘Indians.’ Not only is this practice harmful and offensive, but it is in direct defiance of requests from Indigenous Coloradans who have demanded for years that these derogatory mascots be discontinued. It’s time that we listen to Native leaders and end this practice.”

Specifically, the bill prohibits any K-12 school or institution of higher education in Colorado from using an American Indian mascot after June 1, 2022. A failure to comply would result in a one time $25,000 fine for the school district or charter school institute and subsequent monthly fines for institutions of higher education. These fines would then be collected in the State Education Fund.

SIGNED! Critical Mental Health Initiatives to Support Coloradans in Need & Address Opioid Crisis Become Law

New laws would create an official statewide mental health crisis hotline, help reduce the over-prescription of opioids, and expand access to mental health & substance use disorder services

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a slate of priority mental health legislation into law that will expand access to behavioral health services to help Coloradans in need. 

SB21-154, sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker, would establish the 988 hotline, which will be used as an essential resource for people facing suicide ideation. Last year, Congress passed legislation to designate "988" as the national suicide prevention lifeline. This bill will align Colorado with the nationally designated three-digit response number.

“As far back as I can remember, I have struggled with depression and the suicide ideation that comes with it, and I have over 39 years found ways to cope on my own until I finally was able to seek professional help as an adult,” said Senator Chris Kolker (D-Centennial). “By establishing this mental health and suicide prevention hotline, countless Coloradans will be able to get the help and resources they need and deserve, before it’s too late.”

This will improve quality and access to behavioral health crisis services – especially for underserved populations – as well as reduce stigma surrounding suicide, mental health, and substance use conditions by providing intervention and crisis services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

HB21-1276, sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, requires a health benefit plan to provide coverage for non-pharmacological treatment as an alternative to opioids. It also seeks to limit the supply of benzodiazepines, sedatives commonly prescribed for anxiety and as a sleep aid. Further, the legislation aims to improve education around prescribing benzodiazepines and the potential harm of inappropriately limiting prescriptions to chronic pain patients. 

“The culture of over-prescribing opioids has created a public health crisis that has resulted in widespread exposure to highly addictive narcotics for far too many Coloradans,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “If we truly want to prevent substance use disorders in our state, we need to limit over-prescribing while covering alternative treatments so patients are able to treat their pain without taking an addictive pill. And that’s exactly what this law seeks to do.” 

SB21-137, also sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, would expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services for Coloradans. 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 help local governments and rural municipalities address substance use disorder, maternal and child health, and other behavioral health prevention and treatment programs around the state.

SIGNED! Colorado Comeback Bill to Address Homelessness Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a Colorado Comeback bill into law that aims to address homelessness and promote affordable housing throughout Colorado. 

HB21-1271, sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, will establish grant programs to encourage local governments to utilize affordable housing strategies, and will direct money to local governments for the acquisition or restoration of underutilized properties to house people experiencing homelessness. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic made exceedingly clear just how critical access to stable housing is to public health, educational wellbeing of children, and economic stability,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “This session, I championed multiple housing bills to advance tenants’ rights, to make bold investments in affordable housing, and to ensure that we address the needs of Coloradans experiencing homelessness. These laws will keep Coloradans housed, and I am so proud of the broad and diverse coalition who lent their voices to each of these vitally-important housing justice policies!”

Specifically, HB21-1271 creates three different programs in the Department of Local Affairs to promote innovative solutions for the development of affordable housing across the state. Together, the programs provide for $13 million in state stimulus funds to jump start development in the next three years.

Bill to Make Colorado the 11th State to Establish an Office of New Americans Becomes Law

The Office will work to promote the successful integration and inclusion of immigrants and refugees in our state's communities

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that will establish the Colorado Office of New Americans. HB21-1150, sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, will implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability and promote successful economic, social, linguistic, and cultural integration by investing in the success of immigrants in Colorado.

“Colorado’s diversity always has, and always will be our greatest strength,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “Immigrants and refugees make Colorado vibrant, culturally, linguistically, socially, and economically. The creation of the Colorado Office of New Americans will ensure that all Coloradans can access opportunities for greater collaboration, integration, and entrepreneurship."

The Office will establish and work with a community advisory committee that can provide input to the state from Colorado's immigrant communities, and work directly with immigrant populations to hear and address their concerns and obstacles in accessing services. This will provide immigrant communities the means to address any concerns and obstacles they encounter when accessing state services.

As designed, the Office will grow over time so that in the future it could provide grants to local immigrant-focused, community-based organizations, depending on available funds.

Colorado is home to more than half a million immigrants, including refugees, who make up 10% of the state's population and play a vital role in our state's cultural fabric and shared prosperity. 

To read the bill in its entirety, visit leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1150.

Priority Housing Bills to Promote Affordable Housing & Protect Renters Become Law

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the governor signed four critical housing bills into law that seek to promote affordable housing, address homelessness, and protect renters. 

SB21-242, sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales and Senator Brittany Pettersen, creates a $15 million grant program for local governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to rent, acquire, or restore underutilized hotels or motels to provide immediate housing for people experiencing homelessness.

“It’s heart-breaking to see so many people experiencing homelessness on our streets without safe shelter,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “We have a moral obligation to lift up those in our community who are struggling and need our support, and that is what we are seeking to do with this law. By fully utilizing hotels, motels and other establishments to house the most vulnerable among us, we can put Colorado on a successful pathway toward ending the homelessness crisis once and for all.” 

SB21-173, sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, would take the following actions to keep Coloradans housed: require information about late fees in tenant leases; limit late fees on unpaid rent; as well as give renters more time to provide funds and avoid eviction.

This bill would also prohibit tenant evictions solely for owing late fees; ban lease clauses that provide financial incentives to landlords who evict; eliminate bond requirements so Colorado renters can offer legitimate defenses and are not priced out of court; and establish a financial penalty for landlords who illegally lock out tenants. 

“The most vulnerable and marginalized Coloradans have been heavily impacted by the housing crisis, and it’s only worsened since the start of the pandemic,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “The priority housing legislation signed into law will make a critical difference in the lives of Coloradans who are truly struggling. By taking action to enhance tenants’ rights, combat homelessness, and promote affordable housing with these new laws, we are well on our way to solving the housing issues that have plagued our state for far long.”

Another bill, HB21-1121, also sponsored by Senator Julie Gonzales, will restrict the power of landlords, empower tenants in eviction court, and promote the development of affordable housing. Specifically, the bill prohibits landlords from increasing rent more than once in a 12-month period, extends eviction notices from 21 to 60 days for tenancies between 1 - 6 months long, and strengthens legal proceedings to give tenants more support in eviction court.

Finally, HB21-1329, sponsored by Senator Gonzales as well, channels $550 million in federal stimulus funds toward affordable housing efforts. It immediately invests nearly $100 million of that funding to help Coloradans gain access to affordable housing by providing the necessary funding to build thousands of new units. The bill also directs additional dollars to the Eviction Legal Defense Fund.  

The bill requires a broad and diverse stakeholder process during the interim that will develop and make recommendations to the General Assembly for how to allocate the remaining funds. The funds will be used on programs or services that address housing insecurity, a lack of affordable housing or homelessness, including construction of new affordable housing units, housing and rental assistance programs and supportive housing programs.

SIGNED! Bill to Support Foster Youth in Transition Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that aims to support foster youth in transition throughout Colorado. 

As foster children transition to adulthood and out of the foster care system, they face a steep cliff where they no longer have adequate resources and support that the foster care system had provided them for the first several years of their lives. 

HB21-1094, sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, acknowledges the challenges of the 200+ youths who exit the Colorado foster system by creating a new program called “Foster Youth in Transition,” which allows discharged youths to reenter the foster system in order to receive training and support as they transition into adulthood. 

“Our youth – especially those in foster care – have faced immeasurable challenges over the last year, and we need to do everything we can to lift them up,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This law recognizes the immense challenges foster youth face when they exit foster care, particularly in the midst of the pandemic, and provides them with the support and resources they need to sustain their well-being, access job opportunities, and successfully transition into adulthood.” 

The bill establishes the “Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood” Grant Program to serve youth ages 18 to 23 who are making the transition to independence and adulthood. Services are to be provided throughout the state by county departments of human or social services. This important legislation means that counties will be able to provide eligible participants assistance related to: Medicaid enrollment, housing, case management, employment, education, acquisition of driver’s licenses and identification documents, acquisition of health and education records, record expungement, locating relatives, and referral for publicly provided counsel.

The program seeks to extend client-directed and developmentally appropriate services to foster youth who were in foster care or who were adjudicated dependent and neglected after their 14th birthday and who voluntarily choose to receive certain child welfare services through their 21st birthday.

SIGNED! Bill to Extend Long Sought After Labor Rights to Agricultural Workers Becomes Law

New law would expand labor protections, allow workers to form unions, and guarantee minimum wages for agricultural workers across the state

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a groundbreaking agricultural workers’ rights bill into law that will modernize the industry, promote equity, and establish fair treatment standards by extending basic labor rights to agricultural workers.

SB21-087, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson & Dominick Moreno, establishes an ‘Agricultural Workers’ Bill of Rights’ that guarantees break times, meal times, safe and comfortable working conditions, safe housing, overtime pay, clean water, and health protections for agricultural workers. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of the short-handled hoe – a practice that has already been outlawed in Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

“Colorado’s agricultural workers have been exploited for far too long in this state, and it’s well beyond time for us to provide them with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge). “Ensuring that these workers are able to earn a living wage, get overtime pay, have adequate access to breaks and water, and are protected against retaliation is simply just the right thing to do.”

Specifically, the bill tasks the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics in the Department of Labor and Employment to promulgate rules to establish the overtime pay of agricultural employees, and removes the exemption of agricultural labor from state and local minimum wage laws.

“Colorado lags far behind other states when it comes to affording basic human rights to agricultural workers,” said Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “These workers are often exploited for cheap labor and they can’t even discuss workplace conditions with their colleagues without fear of retaliation. This law will ensure basic protections for ag workers that already apply to every other worker across our state.”

In addition, the legislation creates the Agricultural Work Advisory Committee to study and analyze agricultural wages and working conditions. Lastly, the bill creates rights, remedies, and enforcement actions for aggrieved agricultural employees, whistleblowers, and key service providers so they can seek justice and promote transparency without fear of retaliation.

SIGNED! Bill to Establish Financial Empowerment Office Becomes Law

New law will provide financial literacy resources and promote an equitable economic recovery for all

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that would create the Financial Empowerment Office.

Under the bill, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales and Chris Kolker, the Financial Empowerment Office would increase access to affordable financial products and resources like safe and secure banking, credit counseling, debt management, and access to capital in an effort to promote more equity, especially important during this economic recovery. These tools will help 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.

“As we work to build back stronger, we need to ensure an equitable recovery for our most vulnerable and marginalized Coloradans,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “Communities of color and Coloradans in more rural regions of our state have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and this office aims to lift them up. By providing low-income folks with the tools and resources they need to bounce back, we can ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live or how much money they have in their pocket, has an equal shot at economic success.”

“Our state is certainly on its way to economic recovery, but many of our low-wage workers are still struggling,” said Senator Chris Kolker (D-Centennial). “As we power the Colorado Comeback, we need to ensure that we do everything we can to level the playing field so that every Coloradan, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to the same financial resources and knowledge as their neighbors to become economically resilient. This office will ensure an equitable and sustainable recovery for all!” 

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 to foster grassroots support and ensure community-driven results.

SIGNED! Five Clean Energy Policies Become Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed five landmark clean energy bills into law that will accelerate progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals, work toward a regionally connected electricity grid, and set green building standards.

“In 2019, Colorado made historic progress in establishing greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and paving a pathway toward a net-zero emissions energy economy. However, the work has only just begun,” said Senator Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “I am so proud of the progress we made this session to help fill in the blanks in our greenhouse gas reduction roadmap, and these laws will bring the reality of a clean energy future closer than ever before.”

Specifically, SB21-072 will transition Colorado toward a regional transmission organization while simultaneously interconnecting the grid, enhancing grid reliability, decreasing costs for utilities and ratepayers, and increasing capacity for renewable energy that will help us reach our statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

SB21-264 will establish a clean heat standard and encourage natural gas utilities to capture and utilize methane that is currently being leaked from agricultural operations, landfills, wastewater plants, and coalbeds, which will simultaneously reduce the amount of methane leaking into our atmosphere and offset the need for additional fossil fuel extraction.

HB21-1284 is a bipartisan bill that seeks to reduce the barriers and costs to solar energy installation, which is critical to our long-term energy independence, sustainability, and stability and allow Colorado to continue to foster an environment where renewable energy technologies can be deployed easily and effectively.

HB21-1238 directs the Public Utilities Commission to set energy savings targets for gas utilities to expand energy efficiency programs and help more customers cut energy waste. Additionally, this bill takes a major step in accurate greenhouse gas accounting by setting the social cost of methane and requiring the PUC to consider it in evaluating the cost-benefit ratio of natural gas utilities

Lastly, HB21-1286, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, would require the owners of certain large commercial buildings to collect and report energy use to the Colorado Energy Office, and by 2026, to demonstrate that they have met new energy efficiency performance standards. 

“As we work to address economy-wide emission reductions, we must be calculated and purposeful in tackling sector-specific emissions as well,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “The building sector has long been an overlooked component of our statewide emissions, even though it contributes to 20% of our greenhouse gas pollution. This law will make substantial progress toward benchmarking building sector emissions which will create good jobs, save businesses money on their energy bills, and advance Colorado’s commitment to climate action.”

This policy will help tenants and businesses save money on their energy costs while creating jobs for workers skilled in energy efficiency retrofits, mechanical system upgrades, electrical work, engineering, and recommissioning.

SIGNED! Bill to Restore Community Pillars & Power the Colorado Comeback Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that will create a framework carefully designed to absorb federal stimulus funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and help power the Colorado Comeback for years to come. 

SB21-289, sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno, creates the Revenue Loss Restoration Cash Fund, which will receive $1 billion in federal funding and could support a number of critical needs across Colorado, including  K-12 education, housing, asset maintenance, seniors, criminal justice, state parks, agriculture, and transportation infrastructure in the 2022 legislative session. Overall, this legislation works to fortify the state budget and maintain fiscal integrity as Colorado’s Comeback continues.

“A major lesson learned over the last year has been how dynamic the state economy can be, and how strategically our recovery efforts must be crafted. Careful planning, creative investments, and fiscal responsibility got us to where we are today, and we must continue these efforts to ensure long-term prosperity for Colorado,” said Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “As state legislators, we are incredibly grateful for this infusion of federal funds, and this law will help provide a pathway for a sustained and lasting recovery that incorporates stakeholder input and outreach to every corner of the state.”

Overall, this legislation works to fortify the state budget and maintain fiscal integrity as Colorado’s Comeback continues. 

Colorado Comeback Legislation Targeting $75 Million for Workforce Development Signed by the Governor

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed into law a bill from Colorado’s recovery package, allocating a historic $75 million to support workforce development.

HB21-1264, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker and Dennis Hisey, invests $75 million to create an initiative within the state Workforce Development Council to reskill, upskill, and “next-skill” workers during periods of substantial unemployment. This will ensure that the state can build back stronger by making sure that Colorado’s workers have the tools they need to thrive.

“The last year has had a devastating impact on all of us, but especially our workforce. Coloradans were unexpectedly forced out of work during the pandemic, which resulted in financial loss, heightened stress, and decreased productivity,” said Senator Chris Kolker (D-Centennial). “In order for us to build back stronger, we need to ensure that our workers are fully equipped with this skill set necessary for them to get back to work and do their jobs efficiently. This funding supports training to advance one’s skills with their chosen work and develop new skills for those looking for careers new to the twenty-first century.”

Stimulus dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act make up two-thirds of the total funding, a decision made based on feedback from citizens of Colorado during the Build Back Stronger Statewide Listening Tour.

Specifically, the federal funding will be allocated to local workforce boards across the state for developing local workforce ecosystems across employer communities, workforce centers, and apprenticeship programs, and to the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to enhance the statewide workforce ecosystem, including grants for statewide workforce innovation initiatives.

Additionally, federal funding will be allocated to the Department of Higher Education for Career and Technical Education to expand equipment, facility, and instruction capacity in the key career and technical education job demand areas. Lastly, $5 million in federal funding will be distributed to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Adult Education and Literacy programs to help support critical adult education initiatives.

Overall, these programs will build in-demand skills, connect workers and learners to quality jobs, and drive employer engagement in talent development through job training for individuals who want to and are available for work, to provide assistance to households, and to provide aid to impacted industries, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations to respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency through the provision of related educational and job training services.

SIGNED! Bill to Implement Universal Pre-K in Colorado Becomes Law

New law would promote alignment and quality, and improve access to high-quality early childhood education  

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that will implement universal preschool, improve education outcomes, and support families in expanding access to enriching early childhood experiences. 

HB21-1304, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg and Senator Janet Buckner, will expand access to high-quality, affordable early childhood opportunities, support parents in accessing programs and services, and coordinate the availability of those services.

"Today was a huge step forward in providing quality education to every child in Colorado,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “With this law, we’re laying the foundation for how we fund, coordinate, and address early childhood education. Access to child care not only supports critical early development and future educational outcomes, but also the very well-being and success of families across our state.”

Voter-approved investments in early learning, including Proposition EE – which was overwhelmingly supported by Colorado voters – as well as new federal funding targeted to child care, provide the state with a unique opportunity to elevate and streamline our early childcare education system.

“This law is the culmination of decades of hard work and advocacy from so many in our communities,” said Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora). “We remain inspired by Anna Jo Haynes’ leadership on this issue and are so happy to be able to honor her life’s work in the bill’s title. The implementation of HB21-1304 will build on the progress she has made, and will have life-changing effects on Colorado’s youth for generations to come.”

The bill’s shorthand title honors a long-time advocate of early childhood education in Colorado, Anna Jo Garcia Haynes. Ms. Haynes was the driving force behind the creation of the Head Start early childhood education program in Denver, and co-founder of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a non-partisan advocacy organization.