Bill to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions, Improve Safety on Colorado Highways Clears Committee

Legislation would enhance safety for motorists and wildlife

DENVER, CO – The Senate Transportation & Energy Committee yesterday approved a bill sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) and Tammy Story (D-Confier) to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve safety for wildlife and motorists on Colorado highways.

The bill, SB22-151, would create a “Colorado Wildlife Safe Passages Mitigation Fund” for wildlife crossing projects on stretches of roads and highways with high rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs), or where the ability of wildlife to move across the landscape has been hampered by high traffic volumes.

“Wildlife corridors are a common sense way to protect motorists, keep wildlife safe, and ensure habitats stay intact,” said Sen. Danielson. “This bill will help ecosystems thrive and make sure our wild places continue to power Colorado’s economy for future generations.”

“Colorado is home to an abundance of wildlife that we need to protect,” said Sen. Story. “By investing in wildlife corridors along our highways, we will keep our wildlife safe and prevent dangerous collisions for our motorists.”

Wildlife-vehicle collisions cost Colorado motorists millions of dollars per year and endanger the lives of both people and wildlife. Colorado law enforcement reports an annual average of nearly 4,000 WVCs, though officials estimate a more accurate figure is 14,100 WVCs per year when unrecorded collisions are considered.

WVCs can have tragic consequences, including hundreds of human injuries and some fatalities, thousands of animal deaths, and an annual cost of approximately $80 million in property damage, emergency response, medical treatments, and other costs.

The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Bipartisan Community Safety Investment Act Clears First Committee Hurdle

SB22-145 will establish critical crime prevention programs, address workforce shortages in law enforcement

DENVER, CO – The Senate Local Government Committee today gave initial approval to Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora) and Senator John Cooke (R-Greeley)'s bipartisan Community Safety Investment Act to improve public safety and address recruitment, retention, and training concerns in law enforcement agencies across the state.

“Every Coloradan deserves to feel safe in their community, but like the rest of the country, crime has been on the rise here in Colorado, which is why we’re taking action,” Buckner said. “This bipartisan bill will provide critical resources to help communities cut down on crime, address law enforcement workforce shortages, and get folks in crisis the help they need to prevent crime from occurring in the first place. I am proud to champion this common sense legislation, and I look forward to reducing crime and creating a safer Colorado for us all.”

“I’m very happy to see this legislation progress out of committee,” Senator Cooke commented. “The grants created by this bill will better equip law enforcement agencies across the state to prevent and reduce crime, as well as hire, train, and retain more representative officers. This bill prioritizes public safety, part of our Republican Commitment to Colorado, by providing millions of dollars to police departments to better address the spiking crime wave we have seen in recent years.” 

Research shows that crime prevention strategies that include collaboration between communities and local law enforcement are most effective. The Community Safety Investment Act will create three grant programs within the Department of Public Safety: 

• The first grant program will provide $15 million over two years to community-based organizations and local law enforcement agencies to implement collaborative, data-driven intervention strategies such as co-responder programs, violence interrupter programs, early intervention teams, and restorative justice services in identified high-crime areas. 

• The second grant program will provide law enforcement agencies with $7.5 million over two years to help recruit and retain staff, as well as improve training curriculums, including mental health training. 

• The third grant program - the State’s Mission for Assistance in Recruitment and Training (SMART) policing grant - will provide $7.5 million over two years  to help local law enforcement agencies recruit and train officers that better represent the communities they serve. 

The bill also establishes a front-end stakeholder crime prevention forum, and provides funding for oversight and administration within the Colorado Department of Public Safety which will administer the grant programs.

Law enforcement advocates praised the legislation:

"I support SB 22-145, the Community Safety Investment Act, as it is a positive step toward the overall goal of reducing crime in our communities while continuing to build partnerships with the citizens our law enforcement agencies serve,” said Montrose Chief of Police Chief of Police Blaine Hall. “SB 22-145 provides grant funding for Colorado Law Enforcement agencies to hire, recruit, and retain law enforcement officers to meet our current hiring shortages. Furthermore, it includes funding for apprenticeship programs allowing law enforcement agencies to be creative in recruiting locals in our communities to serve in the police profession. Finally, expanding the partnerships between law enforcement and our mental health providers is key to growing mental health co-responder programs and immediately applying mental health services to those in crisis. As proposed, I recommend it receives full Colorado legislative support.” 

“Crime prevention programs are an essential component of keeping our communities safe,” said 17th District Attorney Brian Mason. “This bill funds co-responder programs, mental health centers and diversion programs, all of which are proven to help keep people out of the criminal justice system. I strongly support the Governor’s proposal and urge the Senate to adopt it.”

“I appreciate the collaborative approach and the opportunity offered to criminal justice professionals to participate in working to strengthen public safety in our communities,” said Thornton Chief of Police Terrence T. Gordon. “Public safety is neither a spectator sport nor the sole province of any expert or governmental body. If any one of us sets out to reduce the unacceptably high rates of victimization or serve our communities individually without respecting the voices of all concerned, we will have already failed.”

“This bipartisan bill is an important step forward in supporting multidisciplinary responses to crime and resources for our law enforcement officers as we work together to ensure safe and healthy communities for all in Colorado,” said First District Attorney Alexis King.

The Community Safety Investment Act will now move to further consideration before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Save Coloradans Money on Housing Advance

House and Senate committees advance legislation to invest over $200 million to build and sustain affordable housing and boost affordable workforce housing options

DENVER, CO – Legislation to save people money on housing by building thousands more homes and expanding access to critical workforce housing today passed House and Senate Committees.

“The lack of affordable housing is at a crisis level in Colorado, and I am so glad the state legislature is doing something to help increase affordable housing stock in our state,” said Rep. Dylan Roberts, D-Avon, Chair of the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force. “This historic, transformational legislation will provide nearly $180 million directly to local governments and nonprofits all across the state to construct thousands of new units and retain existing affordable housing for our teachers, our nurses, our first responders, and workers and families all over the state. This bill is part of the historic $400 million we are allocating this year for housing - the single largest investment the state has ever made to get homes built and drive down the cost of housing to save people money.”

“As Colorado’s population continues to grow, we have to make sure communities have the land and resources required to develop affordable housing now and in the future,” said Sen. James Coleman, D-Denver. “Local governments and nonprofits are the experts when it comes to pinpointing their communities’ unique needs. That’s why this bill is targeted at uplifting their work and providing the necessary tools to achieve their housing development goals.”

“Our state is growing, and we must make sure communities have the resources they need to keep pace,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force. “This bill will help local governments and nonprofits access the space and funding that communities need to equitably accommodate that growth. By helping communities increase their housing supply we can make sure every Coloradan has access to a home they can afford.”

Nonprofit and Local Government Grants and Strong Communities: HB22-1304, sponsored by Representatives Dylan Roberts and Mary Bradfield and Senators James Coleman and Julie Gonzales, passed the House Transportation and Local Government Committee by a vote of 9-3. The bill invests $178 million, a historic sum, to provide direct, flexible, and timely grant funding to nonprofits and local governments all across the state that have or are pursuing measures to facilitate affordable housing development, including purchasing land. This includes development of supportive, rental, and for-sale housing targeted at populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The bill also makes a substantial investment for local communities to create strategic development patterns, including funding for infrastructure projects and updating land and use codes.

The legislation will ensure flexibility of funding, including allowances for operating grants to community-based organizations and qualified local governments, particularly in small, rural, and mountain resort communities, so they can best meet their own development needs according to their community’s workforce and local economy. By building homes closer to where people work, the bill will also save Coloradans money on their transportation costs.

“The housing crisis is impacting businesses large and small across the state, making it harder to attract workers and fill critical positions,” said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. “As part of our strategy to drive down the cost of housing and save people money, we will target resources to expand workforce housing for middle income Coloradans. This will build affordable places to live for workers in communities that are experiencing workforce housing shortages, which is becoming common in nearly every part of our state.”

“Coloradans across the state are struggling to afford a place to live, and the time to act is now,” said Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “This bill will improve support systems for middle income families whose modest resources squeeze them between skyrocketing housing costs and ineligibility for assistance, save people money, and help more Colorado families thrive.”

CHFA Middle Income Access Program: SB22-146, sponsored by Senators Rachel Zenzinger and Dennis Hisey and Representatives Marc Snyder and Marc Catlin, passed the Senate Local Government Committee by a vote of 5-0. The bill will expand critical workforce housing so that more Coloradans and communities have access to affordable housing that allows them to live in the communities where they work.

The legislation provides $25 million for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Middle-Income Access Program, which finances projects to build housing for middle income families and individuals with incomes too high to qualify for low income housing tax credits but too low to afford market rates. Specifically, this funding will provide financing to developers seeking to build rental housing affordable to Coloradans earning 80 percent or more of the area median income through acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of existing properties.

To date, the Middle Income Access Program has leveraged $14 million of CHFA-invested funds to support five developments comprising over 600 units. Developments leverage significant private sector investment and have brought much needed housing to communities such as Estes Park, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, Gypsum, and Denver.

Gov. Polis, Legislators, Community Leaders Unveil Legislation to Save Colorado Businesses, Students, & Workers Money, Increase Good-Paying Jobs, and Ensure Student Success

Polis Administration in partnership with State Lawmakers continue to take bold steps to address essential workforce needs, save Colorado businesses, students, and workers money, and strengthen Colorado’s talent pipeline

DENVER, CO —  Today, Governor Jared Polis, Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, cabinet members, state legislators, members of the business community, and  education advocates announced legislation to elevate student-to-career pathways, continue to bring good-paying jobs to Colorado, and support Colorado’s thriving economy for years to come. This legislation builds upon innovative proposals by Governor Polis to support workforce development and education opportunities, and reflects the Polis Administration’s commitment to supporting economic development and workforce solutions across Colorado.

"We are connecting Coloradans to good paying jobs, providing innovative and bold solutions to ensure student success, and strengthening our workforce talent pipeline. As Colorado’s economy continues to grow stronger, we remain committed to providing high quality work-based learning for Coloradans to get the skills they need for workplace advancement, and to prepare for the jobs of the future,” said Gov. Polis.

The newly unveiled legislation supports innovative and creative solutions to equip diverse learners with the skills to succeed in Colorado’s thriving workforce, and allows workers to connect life experiences, such as work experience, job skills, and apprenticeships toward credentials and degrees.

“Preparing students for success in the workforce will boost our economy and support employers across the state who are struggling to fill positions,” said State Representative Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Colorado is taking a regional approach to boosting our workforce, beginning with creating new pathways for in-demand careers. We’re going to create new partnerships between employers and postsecondary institutions to save students money on their degrees and expand opportunities to enter fast-growing, high-paying industries that are currently experiencing workforce shortages.” 

“One of the main reasons people go to college is for the opportunity to earn a good-paying job,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “As folks decide what degree or certificate to pursue and where to earn it, these bills will ensure they have the data they need to get the best return on their investment while creating new pathways to help students earn those degrees and land high-paying jobs. With three out of every four jobs in our state requiring some kind of education beyond high school, these bills will also help us better align all of our educational institutions with the needs of our workforce, our employers, and our Colorado economy.”

“Everyone's educational journey is a little bit different, and stackable credentials offer flexibility to Coloradans pursuing new careers,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Our bill makes it easier for postsecondary institutions and workforce development organizations offering trades and apprenticeship programs to prepare students for high-demand careers, and ensure the learning they do on the job is recognized as they continue their career trajectory. Sometimes life gets in the way of your educational plans, and stackable credentials provide more flexible options to students at any stage of life.”

“Expanding stackable credential pathways will set Colorado’s students up for success and help workers upskill and reskill to land the high-paying jobs they are seeking,” said State Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “Colorado students – adults and youth alike – need efficient and effective pathways to gain the experience and training they need to earn a degree and, ultimately, a good-paying job. This bill will  accelerate our economic recovery and help businesses fill the critical gaps in our state’s workforce.”

“The key to improving outcomes for students as they pursue postsecondary education and prepare for their careers is through better and more transparent data,” said State Representative Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This new legislation is focused on modernizing how we measure student success and ensuring our data systems are sophisticated to keep up with our ever-changing and growing economy, today and in the future. With data in hand, our postsecondary institutions can ensure students are getting the most out of their educational experience and leave prepared for their dream jobs and careers that will pay them more!” 

“Measuring student success not only keeps us accountable, but it also helps higher education institutions pivot to better meet the needs of their students,” said State Representative Perry Will, R-New Castle. “We know Coloradans pursue higher education to broaden their horizons for career opportunities. This bill will make clear what type of return on investment students will get as they plan for their next step. With better data, we can create more responsive educational programs and ultimately a workforce that is better prepared for the future.” 

JOINT RELEASE: Hansen, Daugherty Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Colorado Families Save Money on Tax Filings

SB22-182 would invest $4 million to create the Economic Mobility Program and put more money in families’ wallets

DENVER, CO - As part of Colorado Democrats’ ongoing work to save people money, Sen. Chris Hansen (D-Denver) and Rep. Lindsey Daugherty (D-Arvada) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help families save money on their tax filings.

Cosponsored by Sen. Don Coram (R-Montrose), SB22-182 would provide $4 million to create an Economic Mobility Program, which will help educate eligible Coloradans on how to file for and receive tax credits like the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This bill is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans.

“Colorado families have been hit hard by rising inflation, which is why we’re doing everything we can to make our state more affordable,” Sen. Hansen said. “This legislation will help families better understand and file for the tax credits they are eligible for, allowing them to keep even more of their hard-earned paycheck and get some money back on their tax returns.”

“In the last two years, we’ve significantly increased tax credits for hardworking families that are boosting their incomes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year,” said Rep. Daugherty. “The bill we’re introducing today will provide families with free tax filing assistance to claim the tax credits they’re owed so that no one leaves money on the table that is needed to pay their rent or feed their families.”

The bill will aim specifically to help low-income families and those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic by facilitating communication, training, and technical assistance in tax filing with state agency partners, public health agencies and community based organizations focused on economic mobility. This investment will increase awareness and enrollment in economic assistance programs available to low-income individuals and families.

It will also provide grants to nonprofits, local public health agencies, and other community based organizations that help people access economic support.

In 2020, Colorado Democrats passed legislation to increase the state earned income tax credit (EITC) from 10 percent to 15 percent of the federal EITC. In 2021, Colorado Democrats passed legislation to further increase Colorado’s EITC to 25 percent of the federal EITC and fund Colorado’s child tax credit for the first time, boosting the incomes of over 300,000 hardworking Coloradans.

SB22-182 will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Passes Bill to End Transcript Withholding in Higher Ed, Prepare Students for Success

Legislation would help students achieve their dreams & strengthen Colorado’s workforce 

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) and Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) to prohibit post-secondary institutions from withholding transcripts because a student owes a debt to the institution.

The bill, HB22-1049, protects students with debt from tuition, financial aid funds, and room and board fees from having their transcript withheld when they apply for a job, credit transfer or financial aid. It also protects transcript withholding for those pursuing opportunities in the military and post-secondary institutions.

“Withholding transcripts from students trying to enter the workforce is an unnecessary obstacle that disproportionately impacts low-income students and students of color,” said Sen. Pettersen. “This bill aims to break down this barrier by prohibiting higher education institutions from withholding transcripts and diplomas from students who have unpaid debts when they are applying for a job or seeking further education, setting our students up for success and helping to strengthen our workforce.”

“As Coloradans we believe in the values of responsibility and opportunity,” said Sen. Bridges. “If a student owes a college or university money, they ought to pay that money back. But when a student needs proof of their academic record to pursue a career and get a good paying job, so that they can afford to pay off what they owe, colleges and universities have a responsibility to provide that transcript. Holding transcripts for ransom is a harmful debt collection practice that has become all too common, and it’s time we put a stop to it here in Colorado.”

HB22-1049 would protect students from transcript withholding when students owe an unpaid debt. It would also prohibit institutions from charging a higher fee or providing less favorable treatment in response to a transcript or diploma request because a student owes a debt.

The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Track the progress of the bill HERE.

Senate Approves Legislation to Create Safer and Healthier Workplaces

SB22-097 will give Colorado workers the ability to raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices without fear of retaliation

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) and Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) that would provide permanent whistleblower protections for workers who speak out about health or safety concerns at their workplace. 

In 2020, the legislature established protections during a public health emergency. SB22-097 extends these protections, making them permanent.

“With the passage of HB 20-1415 we gave workers the protection to speak out about health and safety concerns without fear of retaliation only during public health emergencies,” Pettersen said. “Essential workers will still be essential after the pandemic, which is why I am proud to champion this bill that will extend these protections permanently and help keep workers and the public safe.”  

“The pandemic highlighted that these protections weren’t in place,” Sen. Rodriquez said. “No worker should have to be worried about losing their job, or having their hours cut because they speak out about working conditions that threaten them and their colleagues. As a state we owe it to workers to give them these protections because it keeps all of us safe.” 

SB22-097 protects workers in the public and private sectors by ensuring all workers have the same protections, including the ability to raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices or hazards to their employer, other workers, the public, or government agencies.

The legislation also protects workers from retaliation, discrimination, or adverse action, allows workers to wear personal protective equipment while at work without fear of discrimination, and requires employers to notify employees of their rights.

When employees do raise concerns, various remedy options are included under the bill including filing a claim with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) or bringing an action in court. The legislation also gives CDLE the authority to enforce and investigate claims.

SB22-097 will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Winter, Duran and Weissman Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Bolster Services for Victims of Crime

SB22-183 would invest $41 million to fund essential services for child and adult victims of crime

DENVER, CO – The Senate yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Reps. Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge) and Mike Weissman (D-Aurora) to ensure Colorado victims of human trafficking, stalking, domestic violence, child abuse, and rape can continue to receive essential services.

Co-sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner (R-Colorado Springs), SB22-183 would fill a revenue gap in the Federal Crime Victims Fund to continue providing lifesaving services for child and adult victims of crime through a one-time investment of pandemic relief funding. 

“During the pandemic we saw an alarming rise in cases of domestic violence,” said Winter. “With this investment of American Rescue Plan funding, we can better support victims of domestic violence and ensure Coloradans in need never see an interruption in the essential care and services they rely on. I’m proud to support this effort and I know it will go a long way in providing victims of crime and domestic violence with the services they need.”

“As a survivor of domestic violence, I can’t stress enough the importance of essential services for victims of crime,” Duran said. “States across the country have seen a rise in domestic violence as a result of the pandemic. I’m proud Colorado is going to use federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to prevent domestic violence, bolster our support for victims of crime, and ensure survivors have the services they need.” 

“Colorado has passed bipartisan legislation to enhance state assistance to victims of crime, and with this bill, we’re putting additional resources into these critical efforts,” Weissman said. “With crime rising nationally and here in Colorado as a result of the pandemic, it’s important that we increase our support for community based programs that focus on the needs of crime victims.”

SB22-183 is one in a series of bills to invest millions into our state’s economic recovery and deliver urgently-needed relief to Coloradans. The bill invests $35 million in pandemic relief funding to the Colorado crime victim services fund to ensure essential victim services can continue for the next four years. SB22-183 also invests an additional $6 million to services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as recommended by the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force.

SB22-183 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Bipartisan Kolker Bill to Boost Access to Behavioral Health Support for Coloradans in Crisis Passes Committee

Kolker: “[HB22-1214] will help break down barriers that prevent people experiencing a crisis from getting support, and help make sure every Coloradan can get the lifesaving care they need, before it’s too late.”

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health & Human Services Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker (D-Centennial) that would clarify that crisis facilities must provide mental health and substance use disorder services to individuals in crisis, including youth and people with disabilities.

“I know firsthand what it’s like to experience a mental health crisis, which is how I know that nobody going through that should be denied the care they need,” Kolker said. “This bill will help break down barriers that prevent people experiencing a crisis from getting support, and help make sure every Coloradan can get the lifesaving care they need, before it’s too late.”

HB22-1214 would require crisis system facilities and programs - including mobile crisis programs and walk-in centers - to provide mental health and substance use disorder services to all patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including children and youth.

Over the last decade, youth suicide has increased an astonishing 51 percent. If passed, this legislation would make it easier for mobile crisis programs and walk-in centers to provide critical services and behavioral health support to all individuals in crisis.

HB22-1214 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: Bills to Bolster Workforce, Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care Introduced

Legislation will invest $84.2 million to expand behavioral health care workforce, better connect Coloradans with the care they need

DENVER, CO – Lawmakers in the Colorado Senate introduced a pair of bills aimed at improving access to Colorado’s behavioral health care and increasing the state’s health care workforce.

The legislation was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force.

SB22-181: Behavioral Health Care Workforce Development
Sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa), Reps. Lisa Cutter (D-Jefferson County) and Tonya Van Beber (R-Weld County)

This bill directs the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to develop plans to invest $72 million to bolster and stabilize the state’s behavioral health care workforce, which will help more Coloradans access the critical care they need to thrive.

“If we want to achieve our goal of transforming Colorado’s behavioral health system, we need a robust workforce to help us do it,” said Sen. Bridges. “With this bill, we’re going to make a significant investment to expand our behavioral health workforce so we can address our workforce shortage, better meet the needs of patients, and improve patient outcomes.”

“As we invest $450 million to improve access to behavioral health in Colorado, we’re taking aggressive action to attract, train and retain the providers we need to provide that quality care,” said Rep. Cutter. “There is a significant shortage of behavioral health care providers in Colorado, and this bill will start to address this challenge by taking a multi-pronged approach that focuses on recruitment, training and collaborative partnerships. A large portion of the funding will go toward scholarships and loan forgiveness for behavioral health care students and training programs to prepare young people for a career in behavioral health care.” 

The bill will invest a total of $72 million, including:

• $10 million to improve recruiting and retaining providers who better represent the communities they serve.

• $6 million to help Colorado colleges and universities promote the behavioral health field and to allow students to participate in activities like job shadowing and internships that expose them to the behavioral health field and create a level playing field so students of all backgrounds can explore a career in behavioral health.

• $20 million for the Colorado Health Service Corps, an existing program that allows care providers working in designated health professional shortage areas to apply for funding to repay qualifying educational loans.

• $20 million to create a behavioral health care training curriculum administered by the Colorado Community College System.

• $6 million to expand the number of peer support specialists in Colorado. Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience who can help others going through similar experiences, and are a critical component of the behavioral health workforce.

• $5 million to offer professional development opportunities that improve skills for behavioral health care professionals to better serve people in the criminal justice system, improve cultural competency and expand professional development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed workforce.

• $5 million to further leverage existing workforce development programs, establish standards to ensure a quality workforce, and reduce administrative burden so that providers can spend more time focusing on patient care. 

SB22-177: Investments in Statewide Care Coordination Infrastructure
Sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) and Bob Rankin (R-Carbondale) and Reps. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada) and Mary Bradfield (R-Colorado Springs)

This bill appropriates $12.2 million to improve Colorado’s statewide care coordination infrastructure to better serve Coloradans seeking behavioral health care. The bill requires the BHA to better train new and existing behavioral health care navigators on available behavioral health safety net system services and delivery, and on ways to better connect individuals seeking care with the support they need.

The bill also seeks to cut red tape associated with provider enrollment and credentialing for navigators and care coordination providers, so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping Coloradans in need.

“While there will always be more work to do to expand and improve our behavioral health care system, we need to make sure Coloradans can fully utilize already existing behavioral health services,” said Sen. Pettersen. “With this new infusion of funds, we can more quickly and efficiently connect Coloradans with care they need. Behavioral health care navigators will be well equipped to help Coloradans navigate these complex systems to deliver quality, accessible services to those that need the most support."

“It can be far too difficult to navigate Colorado’s behavioral health care system, so a crucial part of our efforts will be to improve care coordination to help people cut through the red tape that can be a barrier accessing the care they need,” said Rep. Titone. “With this bill, behavioral health care providers will have better tools to connect patients with providers and other specialists who can help them access the care they need, when they need it.”

Senate Passes Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Set Foster Youth Up for Educational Success

Legislation would require higher ed institutions to waive tuition fees for foster youth

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved bipartisan legislation from Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that aims to help support foster youth seeking higher education opportunities in Colorado. 

SB22-008 - which is also sponsored by Sen. Kevin Priola (R-Brighton) - will help college-bound students who have been in foster care afford the cost of attending college by requiring all higher education institutions to waive their undergraduate fees and tuition. 

“Through no fault of their own, foster children typically face extraordinary challenges, and it’s our duty to help eliminate the ones that we can,” said Sen. Zenzinger. “Of all the assets we can provide for foster children, education is the one they can leverage most effectively. In the end, everyone benefits.”

SB22-008 will provide tuition and fee waivers to youth coming through the foster care system to help expand higher education opportunities for foster youth.

To increase the likelihood of student enrollment in postsecondary education, the bill also designates navigators at school districts and universities to serve as a points-of-contact to help students choose programs, navigate the grant and tuition assistance programs, and submit applications.

For youth who are aging out of the foster system, the exit from care can be abrupt, and the transition to adulthood can be tenuous. Compromised social, familial, and economic supports lead to increased risks of unemployment, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Foster care alumni are also at greater risk for mental health and substance use disorders.

According to a report from the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab, only 13.4 percent of Colorado youth who were in foster care at age 13 or older entered postsecondary education by age 21, making them the lowest attaining group in Colorado. 

Nationally, 5 percent of youth who aged out of foster care had received a vocational certificate by age 21 and only 3 percent had received an associates, bachelor's or higher degree.

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill here. 

Following Marshall Fire, Bill to Raise Awareness and Help Coloradans Better Prepare for Wildfires Passes Senate

Legislation to expand wildfire mitigation outreach to more than half of the state’s population passes out of committee

DENVER, CO – Following the devastating Marshall Fire, the Colorado Senate today gave final approval to legislation that would expand an outreach campaign to raise awareness and motivate more than half of the state’s population to better prepare for extreme wildfires.

Sponsored by Senator Pete Lee (D-Colorado Springs) and Senator Tammy Story (D-Conifer), SB22-007 would help Coloradans living in fire-prone areas take steps to mitigate the risks of catastrophic wildfires and improve wildfire danger awareness.

“The Marshall Fire highlighted just how dangerous the threat of deadly wildfires has become,” Lee said. “The outreach proposed in this bill will give millions of Coloradans the education and motivation they need to keep themselves and their property safe from future wildfires.”

“Over the past few years wildfire season has evolved into a year-round threat,” Story said. “We must take steps to defend our homes and our communities from these climate-induced mega fires, and this bill will give more Coloradans the tools and knowledge they need to proactively defend themselves, their property, and their communities from future blazes.”

SB22-007 would direct the Colorado State Forest Service to implement a wildfire mitigation public awareness campaign for 2023 and 2024 aimed at folks that live in the Wildland-Urban Interface, areas where structures and developments meet with wildland vegetation.

The bill is one of several recommendations to come out of the interim Wildfire Matters Review Committee. Additional recommendations include legislation to bolster mutual aid systems and fund local governments’ wildfire mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.

SB22-007 will now head to the House. Track the progress of the bill here.

Senate Passes Landmark Bill to Safeguard Colorado’s Elections

The Colorado Election Security Act will defend election systems from internal threats, ensure elections remain free and fair

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed a bill to enhance Colorado’s voting systems and safeguard elections from internal and external threats, on a 21-13 bipartisan vote.

Sponsored by Senate President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder), the Colorado Election Security Act will improve election security by, among other measures, prohibiting anyone from serving as an election official if they have been convicted of any election offense or any offense or conspiracy to commit sedition, insurrection, treason, or conspiracy to overthrow the government.

SB22-153 also prohibits election officials or candidates from physically tampering with voting equipment, and from having access to or being present in a room with voting equipment without being accompanied by one or more persons with authorized access.

“Colorado sets a national example when it comes to holding free, fair, and secure elections, and we want to keep it that way,” Fenberg said. “But unfortunately, there are folks both inside and outside the election system seeking to tamper with and undermine trust in our elections. The Colorado Election Security Act increases penalties for anyone who tampers with Colorado’s gold standard elections and interferes with our democracy, and will help defend our elections from wrongdoers while giving Coloradans peace of mind at the polling place.”

The Colorado Election Security Act further seeks to secure Colorado’s gold standard elections by improving training for clerks and election workers, and penalizes anyone who interferes with or obstructs the notification of a potential violation, or retaliates against someone providing notice.

The bill also prohibits accessing electronic equipment or a reporting system without authorization, makes knowingly publishing passwords or other confidential information a class 5 felony, and directs the District and Supreme Courts to expedite scheduling and issuance of final rulings of any orders in connection with a violation of election code.

SB22-153 now heads to the House for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Passes Buckner, Hinrichsen’s Safer Streets Act to Improve Public Safety

SB22-001 will help local governments utilize $10.3 million to make critical, evidence-based improvements that will cut down on crime

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Senate today gave final bipartisan approval to the Safer Streets Act, an evidence-based approach to help local governments make critical improvements that will cut down on crime and improve public safety in Colorado.

The bill – sponsored by Sens. Janet Buckner (D-Aurora) and Nick Hinrichsen (D-Pueblo) – creates a $10.3 million grant program that will help local governments make critical upgrades to neighborhoods such as better lighting to increase visibility and improved design of the built physical environment that will prevent crime and create safer communities.

“Every Coloradan deserves to feel safe, but right now too many of our neighbors don’t have that luxury, and we are taking action to address it,” Buckner said. “The Safer Streets Act is an important, evidence-based bill that will help communities across our state implement data-driven solutions to prevent crime. I’m proud to be pushing this critical legislation, and I’ll continue fighting to create a safer Colorado for us all.”

“Tackling crime is one of my top priorities, and I am proud to be sponsoring the Safer Streets Act to improve public safety in Colorado,” Hinrichsen said. “I’ve seen firsthand how important good lighting and well-maintained public spaces can be, and the data shows that these strategies not only reduce crime, they also improve civic pride and quality of life for everyone. I’m excited to move this bill forward, and am eager to get it signed into law.”

“SB 1 is an important investment in public safety that will allow localities to implement strategic physical upgrades that are proven to reduce crime and increase public safety,” said Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown. “I support this effort and I'm eager for my county to be able to participate in this important grant program that will help to deter occurrences of violent crime and property crime."

SB22-001 will let local governments – as well as community non-profit organizations partnering with local governments – apply for grants that make physical improvements to the built environment that increase visibility, direct foot traffic, and improve aesthetics through graffiti and trash removal.

The bill utilizes Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, an effective tool in reducing crime. Research and case studies have proven that the proper, safe design of the physical environment can result in a lower incidence of crime, increased safety, and an overall increase in quality of life.

SB22-001 is one of many ways Colorado Senate Democrats are working to improve public safety in Colorado, including Buckner's bipartisan Community Safety Investment Act, cosponsored by Sen. John Cooke, (R-Greeley) to improve safety and address recruitment, retention, and training concerns in law enforcement agencies across the state.

The Safer Streets Act now moves to the House for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Danielson’s Bill to Create State-level Response to Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Clears Committee

SB22-150 will improve coordination and raise awareness of MMIR cases

DENVER, CO – The Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) that aims to improve the state’s response to murdered and missing Indigenous individuals.

The bill, SB22-150, would create an Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) to improve coordination, response, communication, and awareness of MMIR cases.

“Indigenous women and children are at particularly high risk for violent crime,” said Sen. Danielson. “We must stop looking the other way and address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives with a comprehensive and strong response. This bill will do just that.”

More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous people in the United States experience violent crime during their lifetime, a rate disproportionately higher than any other segment of the population.

SB22-150 aims to improve responses to MMIR cases, provide better support for Indigenous communities, and better serve families of MMIR. It would establish an MMIR alert system and improve data tracking regarding MMIR cases while ensuring interagency coordination, allowing for a more effective and robust response.

It would also require MMIR training for first responders and implement a public awareness campaign to raise awareness around MMIR issues.

Approximately half of Indigenous women have experienced sexual violence, physical violence by an intimate partner, and stalking. Among Indigenous men, 27 percent have experienced sexual violence, 43 percent experienced physical violence by an intimate partner, and 19 percent experienced stalking. The murder rate of Indigenous women is almost three times higher than that of non-Hispanic white women and is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women and girls between the ages of 15-24.

SB22-150 will now move to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.

SIGNED! Ginal’s Bills to Prevent Doxxing of Health Care Workers & Support Older Coloradans Become Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis signed two bills sponsored by Senator Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins) into law today to prevent the doxxing of health care workers and strengthen services provided to older Coloradans.

“Today, we’re taking an important step forward to protect our healthcare workers and increase support for older Coloradans,” said Sen. Ginal. “These laws will better ensure that the people who get up each day to care for our patients don't have to fear for their safety simply for doing their job, and strengthen services for our aging population to help them lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. I’m proud of the work we did on these bills, and am eager to see how they help Coloradans throughout the state.”

HB22-1041 would protect health care workers, code enforcement officers, animal control officers and others from doxxing, a practice of sharing someone’s sensitive information online with malicious intent. These individuals would be added to the existing list of protected persons whose personal information may be withheld from the public if they receive a threat. HB22-1041 would create a new process for workers to redact their full name and address from online records.

Polis also signed HB22-1035, co-sponsored by Senator Bob Rankin (R-Carbondale), which updates the Older Coloradans’ Act and makes important changes to the Commission on Aging. The Older Coloradans’ Act bolsters supports and services to older Coloradans, such as social services, health services, workforce development, digital literacy and the state’s infrastructure for Coloradans as they grow older. The legislation operationalizes many of the recommendations set forth by the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging and sets clear goals to guide the state as it works to ensure “that Colorado is the best state in which to grow old.”

The bill makes it the policy of the state of Colorado to prevent abuse, exploitation and neglect of older Coloradans, and recognizes “that preparing all Coloradans for the different facets of a longer life is part of the state's responsibility.” To accomplish these goals, the legislation creates a commission to coordinate and guide state aging programs.

Speaker Garnett, Governor Polis, Cooke, Pettersen, Lynch, DAs, and Public Health Experts Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Fentanyl Deaths and Save Lives

DENVER, CO – Speaker Alec Garnett, Governor Jared Polis, Senators Brittany Pettersen and John Cooke, Representative Mike Lynch, Colorado district attorneys, public health experts and state lawmakers today unveiled comprehensive bipartisan legislation to combat the fentanyl crisis, remove fentanyl from Colorado communities and save lives.

“We are taking bold, comprehensive action to get fentanyl off our streets and save lives,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Working with Colorado’s district attorneys and public health experts, we’ve crafted a proposal that will crack down on the dealers peddling death in our communities and provide treatment options to individuals who need help. By focusing on the root causes of overdoses and going after dealers, this solution will stem the tide of fentanyl deaths in Colorado and protect our communities from this dangerous drug.”

“We are acting now to make Colorado neighborhoods and communities safer and we welcome the legislature’s action to save lives and address the dangers of fentanyl. The introduced bipartisan legislation, crafted in partnership with legislative leadership, law enforcement, district attorneys, and public health experts provides a better comprehensive solution that will save lives and improve public safety,” said Governor Jared Polis.

“Sheriffs and law enforcement need new tools to hold dealers accountable for distributing deadly fentanyl, and we’re going to give them what they need,” said Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley. “This bill treats fentanyl seriously and significantly strengthens the criminal penalties for dealing it. Going after the dealers will crack down on fentanyl and prevent more people from dying.”

"All over the state, Coloradans are struggling with substance use disorder, our kids are accidentally overdosing on pills, and families are trying as hard as they can to cope and keep on going. This is a heart-wrenching crisis that has traumatized families, destroyed lives and impacted entire communities, an epidemic that requires a thoughtful, forward-thinking and empathetic response,” said Senator Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, chair of the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force. “That’s why I spent the last several months working with behavioral health experts, law enforcement, community leaders and others on the Behavioral Health Task Force to help develop the evidence-based policy solutions presented in this bill. This legislation represents an important step forward to combat this crisis so we can get fentanyl off our streets, help people access care they need, and most importantly save lives.”

“I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will crack down on dealers of fentanyl and support our law enforcement as they work to stop these drugs from being sold on our streets,” said Rep. Mike Lynch, R-Wellington. “We’ve come together with a bipartisan solution because fentanyl doesn't care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. This bill is going to prevent overdose deaths and hold dealers accountable when they spread death in our communities.”

Fentanyl is a drug unlike any other in its potency, lethality and addictiveness, and people across the country are dying from it at alarming rates. A comprehensive approach including both proven public health solutions and enhanced criminal penalties targeting dealers will save lives and get fentanyl off Colorado streets. This response was crafted in partnership with law enforcement, district attorneys and public health experts.

The bill will strengthen criminal penalties for individuals distributing fentanyl to get dangerous dealers off Colorado streets. In line with other models for substance use convictions, the bill will also integrate mandatory SUD assessments and treatment into the state’s sentencing to ensure people get the treatment they need.

The bill focuses on compound fentanyl, which is fentanyl mixed with other drugs, and will provide law enforcement with additional tools to go after dealers while providing treatment options to individuals with an SUD. Individuals who are dealing fentanyl will face increased felony charges, and if the defendant has distributed any amount of fentanyl and it leads to someone’s death, they can be charged with a level one drug felony and face the drug code’s strongest penalties.

“I’m proud of the work of Speaker Garnett and Colorado’s district attorneys to craft this new approach that will crack down on fentanyl dealers, remove this deadly drug from our communities and save lives,” said Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein. “This crisis demands the comprehensive response we’ve developed, which will provide prosecutors with the tools needed to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. Through this legislation, we will be able to respond aggressively to dealers taking lives when distributing this deadly drug.”

The bill gives law enforcement tools to require treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder. Defendants in possession of any amount of fentanyl compound will be assessed for a substance use disorder and required to complete an education program developed by the Office of Behavioral Health in CDPHE. Individuals assessed to have a substance use disorder will have to complete mandatory treatment.

This crisis also demands a robust public health approach that will address the root causes and keep people alive. Colorado will save lives by investing in effective public health and substance use prevention and treatment strategies and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves from this more deadly drug. The legislation directs $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to implement recommendations from the Behavioral Health Task Force on effective harm reduction strategies and increased access to substance use disorder treatment in the criminal justice system.

“Fentanyl is finding its way into nearly every street drug in Colorado, so we are taking a multi-pronged approach that focuses on public safety and public health,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “The public health strategy emphasizes education, treating addiction, and giving people the tools they need to protect themselves and others. We will increase penalties for drug dealers and deploy proven harm reduction strategies to save lives, help cut off the supply of fentanyl and get people the help they need without turning addicts into felons.”

While public awareness of fentanyl has risen, education campaigns that promote effective overdose prevention tools will save lives. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will develop, implement and maintain an ongoing statewide prevention and education campaign to address fentanyl education needs in the state, including the message that no amount of fentanyl is safe. The bill will also provide grants to develop and implement community-focused education campaigns on the dangers of fentanyl. The proposal makes opiate antagonists more widespread, which will help save lives by preventing overdoses.

“I am extremely supportive of, and grateful for, the bipartisan bill offered today to combat the fentanyl scourge that has plagued our communities,” said 19th Judicial District Attorney Michael Rourke. “This bill addresses both of the top priorities of Colorado’s prosecutors: increasing the penalties for the possession with intent to distribute, manufacture, dispense or sell this poison in our communities, and holding accountable those who peddle this poison when such conduct results in the death of our fellow citizens.”

“Throughout Colorado and across the nation, there have been many tragic deaths and countless lives ruined due to fentanyl,” said Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty. “We need greater penalties for those who seek to profit from this crisis by intending to distribute or selling fentanyl -- especially for those that lead to a death. Individuals who are poisoned by fentanyl deserve justice and this bill is a positive step forward. And, for those struggling with addiction, this proposal would provide resources and treatment that is long overdue in the State of Colorado. This crisis requires a comprehensive response and that’s what we see in this bill.”

“This bill is a crucial step forward in holding accountable those who distribute fentanyl in our community,” said 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason. “Fentanyl is killing our kids. Drug distributors are selling this poison to unsuspecting buyers, leading to tragedy and death. This bill will give us important new tools to prosecute those who are selling this drug and will help us get more fentanyl off the streets.”

In my more than 30 years in law enforcement, I've never seen a drug with such devastating consequences as illicit fentanyl. Too many Coloradans are dying from illegal use of this potent drug, and too many families are being changed forever. Every step we can take to reduce the presence of fentanyl on our streets is a step in the right direction,” said Stan Hilkey, CDPS Executive Director.

Kolker’s Bipartisan Bill to Invest $11.1 Million to Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care for Colorado Youth Clears Committee

SB22-147 will allow pediatricians to better identify and treat behavioral health conditions

DENVER, CO – The Senate Health & Human Services Committee today unanimously approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sen. Chris Kolker (D-Centennial) to improve access to behavioral health care for Colorado youth.

Over the last decade, youth suicide has increased an astonishing 51 percent, as youth behavioral health has reached a crisis level. SB22-147, cosponsored by Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling), will allow pediatricians to better identify and treat behavioral health conditions and provide school-based support for kids and their families.

“Far too many kids in Colorado are struggling with their mental health,” Kolker said. “We must act urgently to address this crisis and provide critical support to our state’s young people where and when they need it most. Together, we can work to end the stigma surrounding mental health, expand access to care, and save lives."

SB22-147 aims to improve access to behavioral health care services for youth and families through three programs:

$4.6 million for the Colorado Pediatric Psychiatry Consultation and Access Program (CoPPCAP):
This bill supports and codifies the CoPPCAP program, which provides support and assistance to primary care providers and pediatricians to help identify and treat behavioral health needs. The program connects pediatricians with pediatric psychiatrists who can provide consultations, resources, and referrals for children with mental health or substance use disorder needs.

$5 million for the Behavioral Health Care Professional Matching Grant Program:
This program appropriates $5 million in funding to an existing grant program which provides schools with funding to increase the number of school health professionals who can provide behavioral health services to students.

$1.5 million for the School-based Health Center Grant Program:
This program appropriates $1.5 million in funding to an existing grant program to help support school-based health centers in Colorado.

SB22-147 was developed based on recommendations from the state’s Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force and now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.

Senate Democrats Advance Landmark Reproductive Health Equity Act

Critical legislation will enshrine the fundamental right to abortion care in Colorado law

DENVER, CO – With Roe v. Wade in jeopardy at the U.S. Supreme Court, Colorado Senate Democrats today advanced the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) to ensure Colorado’s laws protect fundamental reproductive rights, including abortion, on a preliminary vote.

Sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver), RHEA would update Colorado’s laws to protect reproductive rights and establish that every individual who becomes pregnant has a fundamental right to choose to continue that pregnancy and give birth, or to have an abortion. 

“Right now, reproductive rights are under attack across the country, and if Roe v. Wade is overturned, there is no Colorado law in place that would protect the right to obtain a safe, legal abortion, which is why this bill is so important,” Gonzales said. “The Reproductive Health Equity Act will enshrine the right to abortion access in our state’s laws, ensuring that every Coloradan is guaranteed their fundamental right to reproductive freedom and can make their own decisions about their life and their future.”

The bill also ensures that every individual has the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception.

RHEA comes as attacks on access to abortion have proliferated across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn decades of precedent this spring, and at least 519 abortion restrictions have been introduced in 41 states so far this year according to the National Women’s Law Center.

Colorado remains committed to ensuring abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible. Recently, House Democrats defeated three Republican-led bills that would have jeopardized that right, including:

• HB22-1079, which would have placed an unconstitutional ban on abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill explicitly directed Colorado to disregard federal law and federal court rulings and would subject Colorado judges who support access to abortion to impeachment. In addition, it would have allowed a private right of action against abortion providers, and potentially patients too.

• HB22-1047, which would have banned abortion in Colorado with no exceptions. The bill would have also criminalized miscarriages and would have subjected providers who perform an abortion to imprisonment.

• HB22-1075, which would have established a registry to track and surveil abortion patients and providers. It also would have created a roadmap for abortion opponents to identify and further threaten abortion patients and providers.

 Track the bill’s progress HERE.

JOINT RELEASE: President Fenberg, Representatives Amabile, Hooton and Gray Commemorate the One Year Anniversary of the King Soopers Shooting

BOULDER, CO – Boulder legislators Senate President Steve Fenberg, Representative Judy Amabile, Representative Edie Hooton, and Representative Matt Gray today released a joint statement commemorating the one year anniversary of the King Soopers shooting:

“One year ago, the Boulder community suffered a devastating tragedy when a gunman brutally cut short ten innocent lives. Today, our hearts remain heavy for the families of the victims, and for the entire Boulder community. But faced with tragedy, our community has emerged stronger and more resilient than before. We have been profoundly moved by the myriad ways Boulder County has come together to honor the victims of this tragedy and support their families and one another. As we continue to heal, each of us must recommit ourselves in our service to Boulder and Colorado while continuing our work to protect our neighbors and build a stronger, safer community for us all.”