Fenberg Applauds President Biden’s Climate Goals, Celebrates Colorado’s Achievements

President Biden visited Colorado on Tuesday afternoon to discuss climate provisions included in his Build Back Better Agenda

GOLDEN, CO – Today, President Biden visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to deliver remarks on how investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and Build Back Better Agenda will help address the climate crisis, modernize infrastructure, and create good-paying jobs. Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg released the subsequent statement in response to President Biden’s remarks:

“It was an honor to have President Biden visit NREL and hear him emphasize his commitment to the climate provisions included in the Build Back Better Agenda,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “Colorado is a leader in renewable energy, and we don’t shy away from the kinds of bold climate goals the President has outlined today. Transitioning to widespread renewable energy remains a central component to combating climate change and creating a more resilient economic future, and I’m thrilled to say that Colorado is setting an example for the rest of the country.”

During the 2021 legislative session, Majority Leader Fenberg championed SB21-261 to advance distributed solar energy and storage, and SB21-246, a union supported bill that incentivizes the electrification of Colorado homes and buildings. He also spearheaded SB21-260, Colorado’s landmark transportation funding bill, which will modernize the state’s transportation framework while making historic investments in electric vehicle infrastructure and multimodal transit.

Garcia Welcomes President Biden to Colorado, Offers Thanks for Partnership on ARPA Funds

Biden is scheduled to visit Denver on Tuesday, September 14 to discuss his Build Back Better agenda

DENVER, CO – Senate President Leroy Garcia released the subsequent statement welcoming President Joe Biden to Colorado and commending him for his leadership and collaboration on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has provided over $20 billion to help Colorado recover from the effects of the pandemic and build back stronger: 

“Thanks to the leadership of the Biden Harris Administration, we have made significant progress powering the Colorado Comeback with federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “Through this partnership, we’ve been able to uplift working families and communities, distribute funds where they are needed most, and revitalize our economy so that no Coloradan is left behind. We could not be more grateful for President Biden’s collaboration, and are thrilled that he will be spending time in our state today. Welcome, Mr. President, and thank you for supporting Colorado!”

Economic Recovery Task Force Members Announced

DENVER, CO – Speaker Alec Garnett and Senate President Leroy Garcia appointed Representatives Alex Valdez and Mary Young, as well as Senators Robert Rodriguez and Dominick Moreno to the Economic Recovery and Relief Task Force. This task force will oversee a panel of economists appointed by bipartisan legislative leadership and the Governor, with the goal of identifying gaps in our economic recovery and ultimately helping to guide the allocation of nearly $700 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to sustain the state’s economic recovery and build back stronger.

“We have a once in a generation opportunity to make the transformational changes that will lead to a more just and inclusive economy in Colorado,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “I’m honored to be appointed to this task force today, and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to interpret the recommendations of our top economists and find ways to help our state build back stronger.”

“As we work toward building back a stronger, more inclusive Colorado, we must ensure that we’re uplifting every Coloradan, and not just a select few,” said Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “Over the course of the pandemic, some families have gotten back on their feet, while others have not. With this task force, we can really make a difference in the lives of those most vulnerable and work toward an economic recovery that truly supports every Coloradan.”

“For my community and others like it around the state, the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated already deeply-rooted economic issues that had held them back for years,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “The Economic Recovery Task Force has been tasked with addressing these issues and creating a plan for how we can make sure our economy leaves no one behind. I’m eager to get our work started and look forward to crafting a plan that gives a leg up to working families across the state.”

“Our economy has experienced multiple twists and turns over the last year, and it’s up to us to work together to ensure an equitable economic recovery for all,” said Senator Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “I’m pleased to be appointed to this critically important task force, and am eager to collaborate with fellow members to determine the best approach for supporting working families across our state as we continue on our path toward the Colorado Comeback.”

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers worked collaboratively with Governor Polis to develop and advance the Colorado Comeback Roadmap to Building Back Stronger, which envisions investing nearly $3.8 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds for new stimulus and relief that will sustain our recovery and help Colorado build back stronger. As the course of the pandemic and the economy continue to develop, the Economic Recovery Task Force and subpanel will take the next few months to evaluate the state’s economic recovery.

The task force will be comprised of legislators and representatives from the Department of Economic Development and International Trade as well as the Office of State Planning and Budgeting and will be supported by its own subpanel of economists. The subpanel will make recommendations to the task force on policies that use the funds to provide a stimulative effect to the state's economy, necessary relief for Coloradans or that address emerging economic disparities resulting from the pandemic.

The subpanel will analyze and synthesize data on the current state of the economy, identifying ongoing challenges with the state’s recovery, finding opportunities for larger growth in specific sectors or industries, and outlining the underlying issues that are contributing to the overall economic gaps that are inhibiting recovery and growth. The subpanel will produce a report providing broad policy recommendations for the task force to vote on and submit to the General Assembly and the Governor as potential solutions to addressing issues identified within the report. The report shall note if there are differences of opinion amongst subpanel members, and address those differences.

Legislative leaders will make appointments to the subpanel by September 15. Following a number of public meetings throughout the fall, the task force will finalize recommendations no later than December 17, 2021, and the report on the recommendations of the task force will be submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than January 13, 2022.

Laws Championed by Garcia to Support Colorado Veterans Go into Effect

DENVER, CO – Today, several laws championed by Senate President Leroy Garcia to support Colorado’s veteran community became effective. These new laws aim to help prevent veteran suicide and address mental health needs, assist veterans in gaining employment, and expand access to state parks for Purple Heart recipients. 

“As a Marine Corps Veteran who served in Iraq, I understand the challenges that come with the transition from military service back to civilian life. As a lawmaker, I have made it a priority to fight for legislation that gives veterans and their families the tools they need to thrive in Colorado,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I am immensely proud of the policies we passed this session that help address some of the needs and challenges of our military community, and am prepared to push Colorado to do even more for our veterans and service members next session.”

SB21-129: Veteran Suicide Prevention Pilot Program: Every single day, approximately 17 veterans take their own lives. This law establishes a Veterans Suicide Prevention Pilot Program for veterans to receive confidential treatment for conditions that lead to suicide like PTSD, depression, substance abuse, sexual trauma, or traumatic brain injuries.

HB21-1016: Transfer Jurisdiction To Veteran's Speciality Court: In Colorado and across the country, veterans can run into legal trouble as a result of their behavioral and mental health struggles. Veteran Specialty Courts were created in 2009 and have proved to be an effective tool to support current and former members of the United States Military and help veterans avoid unnecessary incarceration. Because these courts are not available in each of Colorado’s judicial districts, this law allows veterans to request their case be transferred to a court that can effectively support them through their struggles.  

HB21-1065: Veterans' Hiring Preference: Many veterans struggle with the transition back to civilian life, and employment helps our military community regain a sense of stability and normalcy. Unfortunately, the jobless rate for veterans of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan is still higher than the national average for civilians. This law helps address barriers to employment by allowing private employers to establish a neutral hiring preference policy for qualified veterans and their spouses. 

HB21-1116: Purple Heart Recipient Free State Park Access: One of the United States’ oldest military distinctions is the Purple Heart – a medal that signifies a service member has been injured or killed in action. This law ensures that Colorado’s Purple Heart recipients can access our state parks completely free of charge. While we are all forever indebted for their immeasurable sacrifices, this law is a critical step towards ensuring that Colorado’s Purple Heart recipients can enjoy the communities they fought so hard to protect.    


A complete digest of the 2021 laws that go into effect today, September 7, 2021, can be found here. 

Landmark Healthcare Laws Become Effective in Colorado

DENVER, CO – Today, a slate of healthcare bills signed into law this year have become effective. These new laws aim to lower prescription drug costs, address the maternal health crisis, expand access to family planning services, improve mental health crisis support services, and increase healthcare access for seniors. 

HB21-1307: Prescription Insulin Pricing And Access, sponsored by Senate President Pro Temp Kerry Donovan and Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis: This law increases access to insulin by clarifying that the current $100 cap on a person’s monthly insulin supply applies regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. Furthermore, it allows eligible consumers to access one emergency prescription insulin supply for no more than $35 per 12-month period.

"No one should have to ration or forgo the medication they need simply because they cannot afford it, but that is sadly the case for far too many Coloradans,” said Senate President Pro Temp Kerry Donovan (D-Vail). “This law builds on the work that we did in 2019 when we passed legislation capping the price of insulin in Colorado at $100 to ensure that uninsured and underinsured Coloradans have access to the medications they need at a price they can afford.”  

SB21-123: Expand Canadian Rx Import Program, sponsored by Senator Joann Ginal: This law expands the Canadian Prescription Drug Importation Program in an effort to increase access to prescription drugs for Coloradans at a lower price as health care costs continue to rise throughout the country. 

“It is becoming more and more difficult for Coloradans to afford the medications they need to maintain their health as the cost of prescription drugs continues to increase,” said Senator Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins). “Financial constraints should never dictate your ability to afford the prescriptions you need. This law will make it easier and less expensive for patients to get the medications they need, bringing us a step closer toward creating a more equitable and affordable healthcare system for all.” 

SB21-194: Maternal Health Providers, sponsored by Senator Buckner: To help begin addressing the root issues of maternal mortality in Colorado, this law requires insurance carriers offering a health benefit plan in Colorado and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to reimburse healthcare providers that provide healthcare services related to labor and delivery in a way that promotes high-quality, cost-effective care, prevents risk in subsequent pregnancy, and does not discriminate based on the type of provider or facility. 

“Maternal mortality is on the rise throughout our country, especially among communities of color,” said Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora). “This law will not only help address the maternal mortality crisis here in Colorado, but address underlying issues associated with this crisis, improve maternal health outcomes, and combat racial injustices within our healthcare system that have allowed ongoing inequities to persist.” 

SB21-025: Family Planning Service For Eligible Individuals, sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen: This law makes it easier for women – particularly those most marginalized – to access vital reproductive care by increasing income eligibility limits for family planning services up to 260 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). 

“The money you have in your pocket should never determine whether you can access health care, however, financial barriers keep the most marginalized women in Colorado from accessing the family planning services they need,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “This law makes it easier for more Colorado women to afford contraceptive care, which will not only expand access to vital care, but advance health equity in our most vulnerable communities.” 

SB21-154: 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network, sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker: This law establishes the 988 hotline, which will help connect Coloradans in crisis with vital behavioral health services. Last year, Congress passed legislation to designate "988" as the national suicide prevention lifeline. This law aligns Colorado with the nationally designated three-digit response number.

“Caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health, but when someone is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, they often don’t know where to turn,” said Senator Chris Kolker (D-Centennial). “As someone with firsthand experience with mental health challenges, I know that establishing this mental health and suicide prevention line will undoubtedly help Coloradans in crisis. With this law, we will help reduce the stigma around mental health, get countless Coloradans the care they need, and save lives in the process.”

SB21-158: Increase Medical Providers For Senior Citizens, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson and Brittany Petersen: This law makes modifications to the Colorado health service corps program to expand the availability of geriatric care providers for seniors in shortage areas in the state. 

“Vulnerable Coloradans, especially seniors, often struggle to access the health care they need due to limited access to medical providers in their area,” said Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge). “This law will help address provider shortages in certain regions of our state to ensure that our seniors can get the care they need without having to travel long distances or forgo care altogether. We owe it to Colorado seniors to provide them with the support they need and deserve."


A complete digest of the 2021 laws that go into effect today, September 7, 2021, can be found here. 

Laws to Prevent Gun Violence, Address Teacher Shortages, Promote Affordable Housing & More Become Effective in Colorado

DENVER, CO – Today, a slate of laws that aim to prevent gun violence, improve financial literacy in schools, support the educator workforce, strengthen our state parks, and promote affordable housing all became effective in Colorado.  

SB21-078: Lost Or Stolen Firearms, sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Jessie Danielson: Lost and stolen guns are responsible for increasing numbers of crimes, both within Colorado and nationwide, and the lack of reporting data makes it difficult to prevent weapons from getting into the hands of people who are otherwise prohibited from owning them. This law seeks to address these issues by enacting a reporting requirement for lost or stolen guns.

“Roughly 380,000 guns are stolen each year in the United States, and roughly 30,000 were stolen in Colorado alone from 2015 to 2019,” said Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County). “Responsible gun ownership starts with knowing where your guns are. Under this law, lost or stolen firearms must be reported swiftly to law enforcement so they can track down and prevent illegally obtained guns from being used by people who are not supposed to have them. This law will save lives."

HB21-1200: Revise Student Financial Literacy Standards, sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges: This law directs the State Board of Education to review standards relating to the financial knowledge and skills that a student should acquire in school. Specifically, the law adds that students should be educated with an understanding of credit and debit cards, homeownership and mortgages, retirement plans, the costs of pursuing a degree in higher education, and how to obtain financial aid.

“Making sure our high school graduates know how to handle credit cards, student loans, and saving for retirement is at least as important as pre-calc,”  said Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village). “Right now, the majority of Colorado school districts do not include personal finance education in their core curriculum. With this law we’re helping students to make smart financial decisions that will set them up for success for the rest of their lives.”

SB21-185: Supporting Educator Workforce In Colorado, sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger: This law will 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 will solve many of our K-12 public education problems by increasing the number of talented teachers who are willing to devote themselves to the profession, and this piece of legislation is designed to make significant inroads toward that goal,”  said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “The law will make the profession more attractive to a wider group of potential teachers, both young and old, with a greater diversity of experiences. Ultimately, everybody benefits, but especially our children.”

SB21-249: Keep Colorado Wild Annual Pass, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg and Senate President Pro Temp Kerry Donovan: This law ensures that all Coloradans have the opportunity to support our great outdoors and also reduces fees to access our state parks and other public lands. It directs Colorado Parks and Wildlife to create an optional, discounted “Keep Colorado Wild Pass” that will be added when Coloradans register their passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles, starting in 2023.

“Our state parks and public lands represent the very fabric of our state and our people. Increasing Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s capacity to maintain our state’s outdoor resources is essential to building a more vast and accessible parks system for all Coloradans,”  said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “The Keep Colorado Wild Pass will ensure we have the necessary resources to take care of our parks, while giving even more Coloradans the ability to enjoy our great outdoors.”

“After years of looking for ways to protect and support our public lands, today is an exciting day,”  said Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail). “With this new approach, we get to lower the price while creating a long-term funding source to protect the wild places we cherish.” 

HB21-1117: Local Government Authority Promote Affordable Housing Units, sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales and Robert Rodriguez: To help address the state's affordable housing crisis, this law gives a wider array of tools to local governments to work with developers and other housing providers to develop new affordable housing units.

“We worked hard this session to tackle the escalating housing crisis in Colorado, and giving local governments more tools to build affordable housing is a critical step forward. We look forward to doing even more next session,”  said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “HB1117 clarifies local governments’ authority to promote construction of affordable units, putting us on a successful pathway toward expanding access to affordable housing for Coloradans in need.”

“As we work to address the affordable housing crisis, we need to tackle it from several different angles, and that’s exactly what we set out this year to accomplish,” said Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver). “This new law will give municipal governments the power to provide localized solutions to housing affordability, advance equity in our communities, and keep Coloradans housed. The work continues!” 

A complete digest of the 2021 laws that go into effect today, September 7, 2021, can be found here.

Aurora Lawmakers React to Indictments of Police Officers and Paramedics Involved in Elijah McClain Case

DENVER, CO – Senator Rhonda Fields and Senator Janet Buckner released the subsequent statements following Attorney General Phil Weiser’s announcement on the Grand Jury's investigation into the death of Elijah McClain, which returned a 32 count criminal indictment against three Aurora police officers and two paramedics: 

“After two long years, we finally have some clarity on Elijah McClain’s case, and can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that these individuals will be held accountable for their vile actions,” said Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). “Today, I stand in solidarity with the McClain family, all of his loved ones, and the Aurora community, and commit to continue working together to advance meaningful criminal justice reform so we can create a world where black lives truly do matter.”

“Elijah McClain was a gentle soul who cared for others, who wanted to change the world, but whose precious life was taken from us much too soon,” said Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora). “Far too often, instances of police violence wreak havoc on communities of color, and so many Black men and women do not get the justice and accountability they deserve. Today, we got some accountability and a real path toward justice.”

Garcia Announces New Chief of Staff to Lead Colorado Senate Democratic Caucus Staff

DENVER, CO – Today, Senate President Leroy Garcia announced that Deputy Chief of Staff Nellie Moran will become the new Chief of Staff for the Senate Democratic Caucus. Moran will succeed James Lucero, who worked in the legislature for nearly ten years but has decided to pursue new opportunities.

“James has been an integral part of our success in the legislature for almost a decade, working hard to shepherd important policies through the legislative process, leading with poise and integrity, and being an excellent advisor and friend,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I could not be more grateful for his service to Colorado.”

Moran has spent the last three years working alongside the Colorado Senate Democrats first as Policy and Communications Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg and most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Senate Democratic Caucus, playing a key role in advancing the policy priorities and initiatives of the caucus at the Colorado State Capitol.

“With an incredible work ethic, unmatched expertise, and an unyielding commitment to delivering for the people of Colorado, Nellie has been an indispensable member of the Senate Democrats team since her first day on the job,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “At this moment in our state’s history, the need for true public servants has never been higher – I can think of no one more prepared to exceed those expectations as Chief of Staff than Nellie Moran.”

"Nellie is a strong communicator, competent, dependable, and reflects the highest professional standards," said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). "I am confident she will be ready for this role on day one."

With a strong devotion for public service, Moran has built her career at the intersection of public policy and politics, serving as a key asset in advising a wide range of lawmakers on several important issues. Prior to her work at the Colorado State Capitol, Moran served on the legislative team in Washington D.C. for U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), the nation’s first latina Senator she helped elect. She has worked on various political campaigns across the country at the local, state, and federal levels.

"It is an absolute honor to serve the caucus and the State of Colorado in this new capacity," said Moran. "I entered public service because I wanted to effectuate change in my community and I'm so proud of the work we've accomplished over the past three years. I'm eager to support the caucus in developing solutions to the most pressing issues facing our state. Now more than ever we need to roll up our sleeves and work hard for the people of Colorado, and I'm prepared to do just that."

Moran holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and French from Pacific Lutheran University.

Colorado State Fair Makes Grand Return To Pueblo Fairgrounds

The “All Roads Lead to the State Fair” community gathering runs from August 27 to September 6

PUEBLO, CO – Today marks the first day of the Colorado State Fair, a nearly 150 year-long tradition of agriculture, education and entertainment in Colorado. From today until September 6th, Coloradans from all corners of the state can head to Pueblo to experience some of the best food, entertainment, livestock and community events of the year.

Since 1872, the Colorado State Fair has lived through some of our country’s most fraught moments in history. Through multiple World Wars, economic downturns, and public health events, the State Fair has continued to operate under some of the most difficult conditions. Last year, organizers were forced to make the difficult decision to drastically scale back the State Fair in response to public health mandates and the rapid spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

“The state fair has always been a vital component of our culture in Colorado, and I’m excited that we can finally come together once again to celebrate our state and all that it has to offer,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “This year, the fair serves as a beacon of hope and symbol of community prosperity after over a year of difficult challenges created by the pandemic. As we continue to address the effects of COVID-19, today we stand in unity as people who love our state and remember what it means to be Coloradans.” 

With improved public health guidance and tools for safer convening, this year’s Colorado State Fair makes its grand return as one of the state’s most popular events. The state fair marks a celebration of Colorado tradition and culture through 11 days of events and attractions, including: livestock shows and sales, rodeos, concerts, local food vendors, and carnivals.

The Colorado State Fair is vital to the economic well-being of Pueblo and the Southern Colorado community. To ensure that the State Fair recovers from the effects of the pandemic and can continue for another 150 years, this year Senate President Leroy Garcia championed HB21-1262, a bipartisan Colorado Comeback bill that invests $5 million to support the State Fair and $2 million for agricultural events and organizations across the state. These funds will jumpstart economic development and recovery in the region, and provide much-needed support for our agriculture industry. 

“This session, the legislature worked extremely hard to protect and bolster Colorado through unimaginable challenges and build back a stronger, more resilient state for all,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “I know how important the state fair is to our economy and community as a whole, which is why I fought hard to secure vital funds to not only support this incredible tradition, but make strong investments in the financial health of Southern Colorado, uplifting our communities and sustaining our agricultural industry for years to come.”

The Colorado State Fair will take place from August 27 through September 6 at the fairgrounds in Pueblo. For information on tickets, events and attractions, visit: https://coloradostatefair.com/.

JOINT RELEASE: Executive Committee Creates Economic Recovery Task Force to Guide Nearly $700M ARPA Funds

DENVER, CO -- The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council today approved a resolution to establish the process that will produce recommendations for how Colorado can allocate nearly $700 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to sustain the state’s economic recovery and build back stronger.

“This pandemic has thrown us one curveball after another, impacting parts of our state and sectors of our economy in different ways,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “As the effects of the pandemic continue to shift and Colorado recovers, we are setting up a task force to look at our economy, identify gaps in prior relief and propose new stimulus to help our state build back stronger. This bipartisan process will help guide the General Assembly as we work to direct nearly $700 million in federal funds to sustain Colorado’s recovery and target economic stimulus to the people and businesses struggling to bounce back.”

“This year, we took action in the legislature to stimulate our economy and build a more just, economic future for Coloradans after a year of devastating financial challenges, but the work did not stop there,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “Today, we’re setting up a task force that will help us continue on our path toward a resilient economic recovery, helping us to fill in gaps that will support those hardest hit by the pandemic, get our economy back on track, and deliver relief where it’s needed most.”

“As Colorado’s economy bounces back from the pandemic, we have to focus on the workers and small businesses who are being left behind and use these one-time federal funds to forge an equitable and sustained recovery,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “The task force process we created today will help identify new economic stimulus to power the Colorado Comeback, boost communities in every part of our state and help low-wage workers from falling further behind as the largest businesses and wealthiest individuals fully recover.”

“As we continue to address the ongoing effects of COVID-19, we’re closely monitoring the progress we’ve made over the last several months to see where we can make improvements to ensure a sustainable economic recovery for all,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “This task force will help our state distribute American Rescue Plan Act funds in the most efficient and thoughtful way possible so we can address ongoing inequities, uplift our communities, and propose additional stimulus to support the Colorado Comeback.”

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers worked collaboratively with Governor Polis to develop and advance the Colorado Comeback Roadmap to Building Back Stronger, which envisions investing nearly $3.8 Billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds for new stimulus and relief that will sustain our recovery and help Colorado build back stronger. As the course of the pandemic and the economy continue to develop, the Economic Recovery Task Force and subpanel established under the resolution approved today will take the next few months to evaluate the state’s economic recovery.

The task force will be comprised of legislators and representatives from the Department of Economic Development and International Trade and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting and will be supported by its own subpanel of economists. The subpanel will make recommendations to the task force on policies that use the funds to provide a stimulative effect to the state's economy, necessary relief for Coloradans or that address emerging economic disparities resulting from the pandemic.

The subpanel will analyze and synthesize data on the current state of the state’s economy, identifying ongoing challenges with the state’s recovery and opportunities for larger growth in specific sectors or industries, and outlining the underlying issues that are contributing to the overall economic gaps that are inhibiting recovery and growth. The subpanel will produce a report providing broad policy recommendations for the task force to vote on and submit to the General Assembly and the Governor as potential solutions to address issues identified within the report. The report shall note if there are differences of opinion amongst subpanel members, and address those differences.

Legislative leaders will make appointments to the task force by September 8 and to the subpanel by September 15. Following a number of public meetings throughout the fall, the task force will finalize recommendations no later than December 17, 2021, and the report on the recommendations of the task force will be submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than January 13, 2022.

Garcia Congratulates Ken Salazar on Confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

DENVER, CO – Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) congratulated Ken Salazar on his confirmation as United States Ambassador to Mexico:

"Mi compadre Ken Salazar has made the entire state of Colorado proud for decades, and this morning his record of excellence continued when he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Ambassador to Mexico. I can't think of a better person to represent the United States in such an important role. Congratulations Ambassador Salazar!"

Colorado Senate Leadership Lauds Passage of Bipartisan Federal Infrastructure Plan

DENVER, CO – Senate President Leroy Garcia and Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg released the subsequent statements following the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

“With today’s passage of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Colorado is on track to upgrade our transportation system, create a generation of good-paying union jobs, and improve the lives of millions in this state,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “Thanks to the Biden – Harris administration’s dedication to improving our infrastructure, Colorado is one step closer to Front Range Passenger Rail, broadband internet expansion, bridge replacement, and more. I am encouraged to see our elected officials in Washington put aside partisan differences to get the job done, and I look forward to seeing these investments in our infrastructure pay off for Coloradans across the state.”

“Today’s Senate vote on the bipartisan infrastructure package is a momentous day for Colorado and our country,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “I’m encouraged to see that our federal partners are taking serious investments in clean energy, public transit, and broadband – essential components to healthy infrastructure in our state. Building on our transportation investments in SB 260, this package puts us on the road towards a more connected Colorado and a more sustainable future.”

Garcia, Fenberg Statements on the Passing of Governor Dick Lamm

DENVER, CO – Senate President Leroy Garcia and Majority Leader Steve Fenberg released the subsequent statements following the passing of former Governor Dick Lamm: 

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Governor Lamm and send my heartfelt condolences to his family,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “Colorado is forever grateful for his dedication to public service and the impact he had on our great state. He will always be remembered as a devoted leader who never let political differences get in the way of doing the right thing for the people of Colorado.” 

“Governor Lamm served Colorado with the intention of improving the lives of every Coloradan, and he will be sorely missed by all,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “He brought people together, took on difficult challenges, and led with poise, grace, and compassion. Despite this difficult loss, his legacy will live on and his work he did as governor will continue to inspire us. My thoughts are with his loved ones during this challenging time.”

Senator Zenzinger Awarded CASE Policy Leader Award for Dedication to Public Education

DENVER, CO – Today, Senator Rachel Zenzinger was awarded this year’s Policy Leader Award by the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) for her “exemplary contribution to public education.”

Senator Zenzinger was selected for her work on HB21-1161, a bipartisan measure she sponsored to ease the standardized testing burden that was particularly strained this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m so honored to have been selected as a recipient of the CASE Policy Leader Award for my work on this important bill,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada), Chair of the Education Committee. “This year, it was a major goal of mine to provide teachers and students with the ability to prioritize in-person instruction time that had been compromised over the past year due to COVID-19. While there is still more work to do in our ongoing recovery, I’m proud of the progress we made this session in addressing the unique needs of our students and teachers during a challenging year.”

In addition to her work on this initiative, Senator Zenzinger championed several other education bills this session to: make a long-term fix to Colorado’s school funding system; restore budget cuts made last year due to the pandemic; and provide increased support to the educator workforce.

Garcia, Garnett Appoint Experts to ARPA Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health Subpanels

DENVER, CO – Senate President Leroy Garcia and Speaker Alec Garnett on Friday appointed subject matter experts and representatives of local governments and nonprofits to the subpanels advising the task forces established under HB21-1329 and SB21-137, legislation which set aside $850 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for housing and behavioral health. 

The subpanels will work with the task forces to craft and examine policies to make housing more affordable, expand opportunities to build wealth through homeownership, address homelessness and improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services. 

“As we work to address the housing crisis and improve the delivery of care for Coloradans with behavioral health needs, we need the expertise necessary to get to where we want to go,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “The individuals we’ve appointed bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and will help us decipher how best to spend federal funds to support our efforts in the most efficient, meaningful and deliberate way possible. With this diverse team of experts, we will be able to make smart and thoughtful investments into our state as we continue to meet the needs of our communities and build a Colorado that works for everyone.” 

“This broad and diverse group of people will help craft recommendations for how Colorado can use federal funds to make housing more affordable and improve access to behavioral health,” said Speaker Alec Garnett (D-Denver). “The experts I’ve appointed represent diverse communities, local governments and nonprofits across our state and have extensive experience working in housing and behavioral health. The investments we’ll make in these areas will not only grow our economy, they’ll help Colorado build back stronger, recover more equitably, and start to address some of the most pressing issues facing our communities.”  

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers worked collaboratively with Governor Polis to develop and advance the Colorado Comeback Roadmap to Building Back Stronger, which envisions investing nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to make housing more affordable and improve Colorado’s behavioral health system. HB21-1329 sets aside $400 million of ARPA funds for future housing efforts, and SB21-137 sets aside $450 million of ARPA funds for future behavioral health investments. 

Under resolutions approved by the Executive Committee in June, the behavioral health and housing subpanels will consist of experts selected by the Speaker, President, and House and Senate Minority Leaders. The resolutions specify areas of expertise for each appointment. 

The following individuals were appointed to the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force Subpanel:

• Chair, Brian Rossbert, Executive Director of Housing Colorado, an appointment by the president representing a nonprofit advocacy group with an expertise on low and moderate income housing issues;

• Vice-Chair, Cathy Alderman, Chief Communications & Public Policy Officer of Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, an appointment by the speaker with expertise in homelessness, administering support to homeless individuals, or other relevant experience related to homelessness and continuum of care

• Steven Cordova, Executive Director of the Tri-County Housing Authority (Bent, Crowley, Otero), an appointment by the speaker representing a local housing authority;

• Kinsey Hasstedt, State & Local Policy Director, Enterprise Community Partners, an appointment by the speaker with expertise in nonprofit housing development;

• Appointments by the speaker representing local governments: 

  • Tamara Pogue, Summit County Commissioner

  • Adam Paul, Mayor of the City of Lakewood

• Tawny Peyton, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Home Association, an appointment by the speaker representing an organization focused on the deployment of factory-built housing;

• Aaron Miripol, President & CEO of Urban Land Conservancy, an appointment by the president representing a land trust;

• Roberto Rey, Associate State Director of AARP Colorado, an appointment by the president with knowledge of developing affordable, accessible, integrated housing for people who are aging or have disabilities;

• Wanda Harrison, Director of Residential Services at the Second Chance Center, an appointment by the president with expertise in homelessness, experience administering support to homeless individuals, or other relevant experience related to homelessness and continuum of care; and

• Eric Leveridge, Strategic Research Analyst at Colorado Jobs with Justice, an appointment by the president representing workers.

The following individuals were appointed to the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force Subpanel: 

• Chair, Vincent Atchity, President & CEO of Mental Health Colorado, an appointment by the speaker representing a statewide organization that develops and advocates for mental health policy;

• Vice-Chair, Dr. Lesley Brooks, Chief of Addiction Medicine at SummitStone Health Partners, an appointment by the president representing behavioral health practitioners or providers;

• Candie Burnham, Executive Director of Atlantis Community, Inc., an appointment by the speaker representing individuals, either patients or caregivers, with lived experience navigating the behavioral health care system;

• Appointments by the speaker representing community-based organizations representing communities that experience disproportionate health impacts:

  • Nadine Bridges, Executive Director of One Colorado 

  • Ana Vizoso, Director of Behavioral Health at Servicios de La Raza, Inc. 

  • Lorez Meinhold, Executive Director of Caring for Denver Foundation

  • Harry Budisidharta, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Development Center

• Beauclarine Thomas, Legislative & Policy Advocate of Colorado Municipal League, an appointment by the speaker representing a local government representing a municipality; 

• Heidi Williams, Director of Opioid Response Unit in the Department of Law, an appointment by the speaker representing the Department of Law, the Judicial Branch, or a member of the judiciary; 

• Lisa Raville, Executive Director of Harm Reduction Action Center, an appointment by the president with knowledge of evidence-based harm reduction strategies;

• Meghan Baker, Facilities Team Leader Attorney at Disability Law Colorado, an appointment by the president representing a disability advocacy or policy organization;

• Terri Hurst, Policy Coordinator at Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, an appointment by the president with expertise in the needs of the criminal justice population;

• José Esquibel, Associate Director of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, an appointment by the president from the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention;

• Dr. Patrick Fox, an American Psychiatric Association Assembly Representative for the Colorado Psychiatric Society, an appointment by the president representing behavioral health practitioners or providers;

• Heather Hankins, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Health Solutions, an appointment by the president representing behavioral health practitioners or providers;

• Colleen Casper, Executive Director of Colorado Nurses Association, an appointment by the president representing the behavioral health needs of frontline and low-income workers; and

• Dr. Christian Thurstone, Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Treatment, Education and Prevention program at Denver Health, an appointment by the president representing a hospital that has demonstrated experience working with the behavioral health community or treating patients with complex behavioral health needs.

The task forces will convene in early August for organizational meetings. The subpanels will then begin meeting to analyze and discuss policies for consideration by the task forces. The task forces will start convening regularly during the late fall to discuss policies and ultimately approve recommendations that will be included in a final report and sent to the legislature and Governor. The timelines for taskforce and sub-advisory panel meetings are flexible and intended to serve as a guideline.

JOINT RELEASE: Garnett, Garcia Appoint Lawmakers to ARPA Housing and Behavioral Health Task Forces

DENVER, CO -- Speaker Alec Garnett and Senate President Leroy Garcia today appointed lawmakers to the task forces established under HB21-1329 and SB21-137, legislation which set aside $850 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for housing and behavioral health. The task forces will make recommendations on policies to make housing more affordable, expand opportunities to build wealth through homeownership, address homelessness and increase access to behavioral health and substance use disorder services.

“The lawmakers I appointed today have extensive knowledge of housing and behavioral health policy, carry invaluable experiences with them and are dedicated advocates for their communities,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “There is a clear need across Colorado for transformational changes to make housing more affordable and behavioral health care more accessible. We listened to our communities and created a responsible, transparent and bipartisan process to allocate $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to create more affordable housing, reduce homelessness and increase access to mental health. I’m proud to make these task force appointments today.”

“After our statewide listening tour, communities across Colorado directed us to get to work on the issues they care about most. With $1 billion in American Rescue Plan funds, we have the opportunity to ensure that we can make transformational changes in Colorado that will impact our state for decades," said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. "The Senators I have appointed today will bring critical leadership skills and valuable policy knowledge to the table as we work to tackle the ongoing housing crisis and improve behavioral health access for Coloradans in need, and I look forward to the progress they make in the coming months.”

Democrats appointed to the Housing Transformational Task Force:
Rep. Dominique Jackson, Chair
Sen. Julie Gonzales, Vice Chair
Rep. Dylan Roberts
Rep. Steven Woodrow
Sen. Jeff Bridges
Sen. Rachel Zenzinger

Democrats appointed to the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force:
Sen. Brittany Pettersen, Chair
Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Vice-Chair
Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Rep. Judy Amabile
Sen. Faith Winter
Sen. Chris Kolker

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers worked collaboratively with Governor Polis to develop and advance the Colorado Comeback Roadmap to Building Back Stronger, which envisions investing nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to make housing more affordable and improve Colorado’s behavioral health system. HB21-1329 sets aside $400 million of ARPA funds for future housing efforts, and SB21-137 sets aside $450 million of ARPA funds for future behavioral health investments.

Under resolutions approved by the Executive Committee in June, the behavioral health and housing task forces will consist of legislators and members of departments, with each task force supported by its own sub-advisory panel of stakeholders and experts. Lawmakers on the task forces are appointed by the Speaker, Senate President and House and Senate minority leaders, who will also make appointments to the sub-advisory panels by July 23.

The task forces will convene by early August for organizational meetings. The subpanels will then begin meeting to analyze and discuss policies for consideration by the task forces. The task forces will start convening regularly during the late fall to discuss policies and ultimately approve recommendations that will be included in a final report and sent to the legislature and Governor. The timelines for task force and sub-advisory panel meetings are flexible and intended to serve as a guideline.

Senator Gonzales Named All-Star by Denver Westword

DENVER, CO – The Denver Westword has named Senator Julie Gonzales as an All-Star among nine other individuals who are considered “game-changers” for the Denver community. 

“I ran for office to lift up the voices of those typically excluded from power,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver). “So while I’m honored to be recognized for the wins that we’ve earned for working-class folks and Coloradans of color, the truth is that there’s just so much more work to do. Being recognized with this All-Star crew is a reminder that there are folks doing the work all across our city, and I’m proud to be included in that.”

During this year’s legislative session, Sen. Gonzales championed several bills to: address the housing crisis; uplift low-income Coloradans and communities of color; advance immigrants’ rights; address the student loan debt crisis; lower the cost of prescription drugs; achieve environmental justice; reform our criminal justice system; combat gun violence; and strengthen our elections. 

SIGNED! Another Round of Priority Health Care Bills Become Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed several health care bills into law that aim to lower the cost of life-saving medication, support seniors in need, expand access to mental health care, and protect consumers’ health care data. 

HB21-1307, sponsored by Senators Kerry Donovan and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, increases access to insulin by clarifying that the current $100 cap on a person’s monthly insulin supply applies regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. It also allows eligible consumers to access one emergency prescription insulin supply for no more than $35 per 12-month period. 

“Over the past ten years, insulin costs for patients in Colorado have risen 262%,” said Senate President Pro-Temp Kerry Donovan (D-Vail). “Those price increases have very real and severe consequences - in 2020 nearly 74,000 Coloradans who rely on insulin for diabetes, reported rationing their medication, or fasting to manage their blood sugar because they couldn’t pay for their prescription. Big pharma is concerned with their profits, while patients for whom insulin is like oxygen, suffer. In Colorado we are saying no more. This law means immediate access to insulin for everyone who needs it in every corner of the state.”   

“Insulin is a necessary, life-saving drug that should be accessible regardless of income,” said Senator Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County). “As a Pharmacist, I have seen the pain in people’s eyes when they can’t afford their medications – forced to choose between providing for their family and caring for their own health. It's time that we prioritize people over corporations and ensure that everyone, no matter their socioeconomic status, can access the prescriptions they need.”

SB21-158, a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson and Brittany Pettersen, would expand access to medical providers in certain regions of the state to make it easier for seniors to access medical care. 

“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 Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge). “By increasing medical providers in certain areas of the state, seniors will be able to get treatment without having to travel long distances or be forced to forego care altogether. We owe it to our parents and grandparents to provide them with the support they need.” 

“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 the 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.”  

HB21-1068, sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno, would require health insurance plans in Colorado to cover an annual mental health wellness exam by a qualified mental health care provider. Under the bill, coverage for the annual exam must be comparable to coverage for an annual physical exam, and insurance plans may not require deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for the annual mental health wellness exams.

“It is incredibly difficult for Coloradans to navigate our mental health care system due to lack of access, high costs, and stigma. We need to break down barriers to this vitally important care so that more people can get the treatment they need and deserve,” said Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City). “By mandating that insurance companies cover annual mental health exams for our residents, we can increase access to much-needed services while taking important steps to end the stigma surrounding mental health.” 

And finally, SB21-169, sponsored by Senator Janet Buckner, would prohibit considering someone's race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender status in any insurance practice, as well as using any external consumer data, algorithm or predictive model that unfairly discriminates against someone based on those factors.

“Coloradans should not be charged more for insurance based on their skin color, ethnicity, educational background or zip code, however, this is the reality for too many marginalized groups throughout our state,” said Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora). “This law will take an important step to ensure that insurance companies do not discriminate against people of color and other underserved populations in Colorado, which will ultimately increase access to vital health care for all of our residents.”

SIGNED! Bills to Increase Health Care Access, Address Inequities & Support Colorado Families Become Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a slate of bills into law that aim to protect preventative health care coverage, address health disparities in underrepresented communities, expand access to vital reproductive care, and make diaper essentials widely available to low-income families in need.  

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 includes an expansion of covered preventative healthcare benefits to include osteoporosis screening, urinary incontinence screening, and STI screening and treatment. 

“Persisting barriers within our health care 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.”

SB21-181, sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields, 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.

“Marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by health issues. From lack of access to care to over exposure to toxins, low income families and people of color face tremendous burdens when it comes to their health,” said Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora). “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.” 

SB21-025, sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen, would make it easier for women – particularly those most marginalized – to access vital reproductive care by increasing income eligibility limits for family planning services up to 260 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). 

“Financial barriers inhibit the ability of many marginalized women throughout Colorado from accessing family planning services,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood). “The money in your pocket should never determine whether you can access health care. This law will expand eligibility for family planning services so that more Colorado women can afford contraceptive care, ultimately addressing health disparities as well as enhancing health equity in our most vulnerable communities.”

SB21-027, sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen and Jessie Danielson, would ensure that diaper essentials are made available to Colorado families in need amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. 

“We are the wealthiest nation in the world and yet some of our parents can’t afford diapers – that’s just unacceptable,” said Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge). “It costs at least $80 per month to provide diapers for a child, which is simply unfeasible for families who have lost their jobs and struggle to afford rent, pay their bills, or buy food. Our families have suffered enough over the last year – providing access to diapers is the least we can do to help lessen the stress parents are already facing.”

SIGNED! Climate Bill to Protect Environment & Support Disproportionately Impacted Communities Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Today, the governor signed a bill into law that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance environmental justice in disadvantaged communities, and set Colorado on a pathway to meeting the climate targets established in HB19-1261. 

HB21-1266, sponsored by Senators Janet Buckner and Faith Winter, was strengthened with amendments to direct more resources to communities in transition away from fossil fuels, increase the focus on disproportionately impacted populations, set firm enforcement mechanisms for the electricity, oil and gas, and industrial and manufacturing sectors, and advance environmental justice in executive branch rulemakings.

“Today is a historic day for Colorado,” said Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora). “With this law, we can build a sustainable future that supports the health and well-being of our residents, regardless of zip code, as well as the longevity of our environment and precious natural resources. Our efforts to act on climate do not stop here, but this is a major step in the right direction.”

In order to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, the bill establishes clear enforcement mechanisms for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the electricity sector – requiring the oil and gas sector to reduce emissions 48% by 2025 and 60% by 2030, and mandating the industrial and manufacturing sector to reduce emissions at least 20% by 2030.

To support the just transition of fossil fuel communities, the bill requires an audit of best value employment metrics used by the Public Utilities Commission to better understand if this important policy is actually ensuring that clean energy jobs are good jobs and requires the Office of Just Transition to develop a long-term budget based on federal, state, and other funding sources, outlining the resource needs of the office.

“Although this bill has been on a long journey, our aim from the beginning was to put the pollution reduction targets from the Governor’s Climate Roadmap into law,” said Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster). “This law takes vitally important steps to hold our state accountable to our climate targets, creating meaningful and lasting measures to support those most affected by the impacts of global warming.”

Specifically, the bill advances environmental justice by eliminating the polluter pay loophole that exempts greenhouse gas emissions from pollution fees. In addition, the bill establishes the Environmental Justice Action Task Force – consisting of members from local communities, tribal governments, government agencies, and organizations – to determine how Colorado will embed equity in all environmental decision-making, including rulemakings, policy development, and facility permitting. It also creates an independent ombudsperson.

Lastly, the bill requires, for the first time, that polluters pay for their climate pollution – closing a loophole that has existed for decades and adding a new provision that requires the social cost of carbon to be included in economic impact analyses at the Air Quality Control Commission.