ICYMI: Legislation to Ensure Safe Housing and Strengthen Renter Protections Signed Into Law

SB25-020 will increase compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill to ensure safe housing and strengthen renter protections by expanding the Attorney General’s and local governments’ authority to enforce landlord-tenant laws.

SB25-020 is sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Representatives Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, and Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. It allows the Colorado Attorney General to seek any penalties or use any enforcement mechanisms available under landlord-tenant laws to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, as well as documentation requirements for housing agreements, and extends protections regarding bed bug infestations in residential homes. The bill gives counties and municipalities the ability to enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce.

“In recent years, we have worked hard to strengthen renters’ protections and level the playing field between tenants and landlords,” said Gonzales. “When apartment buildings fall into disrepair because of neglect and mismanagement, it throws tenants’ lives into chaos, jeopardizes safe living conditions, and disrupts their ability to simply get through their day. This new law empowers local governments and the Attorney General to enforce the laws we already have on the books by holding neglectful management companies who have a pattern and practice of disregarding our safe housing laws to account, with the goal of ensuring that all Coloradans can live in safe and healthy housing.”

“As an Aurora legislator, I’m proud to sponsor this new law to ensure renters don’t have to spend multiple years fighting corporate landlords for basic rights,” said Lindsay. “When negligent landlords allowed several properties in my community to fall into disrepair, the city had limited tools to address the issues. This law builds on past work Colorado Democrats have done to ensure renters can live in safe conditions by empowering counties and municipalities to enforce tenant protection laws. No one deserves to live among rodents or without functioning heat or cooling systems, and this law will help ensure Coloradans have a safe place to live.”

“For too long, bad actors in property management have ignored tenant complaints, neglected basic repairs, and left communities in crisis. This must end,” said Weissman. “Recent events in Aurora and Denver highlight the urgent need for stronger tools to protect renters. Violations of our state’s safe housing laws cannot be ignored – especially in a housing crisis where every rental unit matters. SB20 is narrowly focused on tackling cases of chronic neglect where tenants have been left without options for far too long.”

“This law will hold negligent landlords accountable when they illegally ignore dangerous living conditions,” said Mabrey. “By giving the Attorney General, counties, and municipalities more authority to enforce tenant protection laws, Colorado renters will have more advocates in their corner to fight for safe housing. Colorado Democrats are committed to not only making housing more affordable, but also ensuring that these affordable housing options are safe and healthy places to live.”

SB25-020 also establishes a process where, only in severe cases with a pattern of neglect, residential housing may be placed into receivership – a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The law outlines the process for receivership cases, including providing proper notice to parties, defining powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and establishing the process for ending receiverships.

JOINT RELEASE: Governor Signs Law to Prevent Youth Overdoses

HB25-1293 will increase overdose prevention education and treatments in Colorado high schools

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs, and Representative Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora, to prevent youth overdoses was signed into law today. 

“Opioid overdose is the third leading cause of deaths among young people in our nation, and we must be doing more to combat these tragedies,” Snyder said. “This new law outlines commonsense solutions to equip students with the tools they need to prevent overdoses and save lives.”

“Fatal overdoses are preventable, and we’re working to inform and educate Colorado high school students so lives can be saved,” said Jackson. “This bipartisan bill standardizes drug overdose education in our public schools so our high schoolers are better informed, now and into adulthood, and can act quickly during an overdose emergency. We’re fighting back against youth overdose deaths, and if this education requirement saves even one student, it will be worth it.”

Cosponsored by House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, HB25-1293 will add education standards for opioid overdose identification, risks, prevention, and response to high school curricula statewide. It will also allow public and non-public schools to seek gifts, grants, and donations to acquire and maintain a supply of Naloxone and other opioid antagonists on school campuses.

Colorado has the second highest rate of overdose deaths among adolescents nationwide. Overdose education and Naloxone distribution are proven to be crucial in preventing death due to opioid overdose. 

Last year, Colorado lawmakers championed a law that made opioid antagonists and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. 

Signed! Bill to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation into law to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. 

SB25-007, sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, encourages the use of prescribed burns as a wildfire resilience tool. 

“Because of the real impacts of climate change, we are living with an unpredictable and increasing threat of devastating wildfires,” said Cutter. “As a longtime member of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, I am committed to championing solutions that address all facets of this issue. Prescribed burning is an important tool in the toolbox to help protect Coloradans and our forests.”

“Wildfire season is year-round in Colorado, and our communities need all the wildfire mitigation tools available,” said Velasco. “This law will make it easier for communities to conduct prescribed burns, which are a cost-effective way to reduce the amount of fuel available for a wildfire. Fire is a natural part of our ecosystem, and with the guidance of a certified burn manager, Colorado communities can take steps today to reduce the size and intensity of destructive wildfires in the future.”

“We’ve learned so many lessons from the catastrophic wildfires of recent years, and among the most important of those is to be prepared,” said Marchman. “It is imperative that we strengthen our use of proactive, science-backed approaches like prescribed burns to address dangerous conditions and keep our forests healthy before we find ourselves in a disastrous situation.”

Low-intensity fire, applied through prescribed burns overseen by burn managers, can reduce fuel loads and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. SB25-007 will strengthen Colorado’s wildfire mitigation efforts by encouraging controlled, prescribed burns. To keep communities safe, plans for prescribed burns must be reviewed by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. 

As recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, this new law will compensate Coloradans if their property is damaged during prescribed burns. It will also address workforce shortages that are a barrier to expanding the use of prescribed fires by allowing interstate reciprocity in the certified burner program, which certifies individuals to conduct prescribed burns.

Additionally, this law better allows utility companies to perform wildfire mitigation, broadening access to a financing mechanism that will reduce mitigation costs. To ensure state oversight, plans must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

JOINT RELEASE: General Assembly Dems Oppose GOP Bill to Strip Health Care from Coloradans and Raise Costs

GOP bill will cut food assistance and kick Coloradans off their health care

DENVER, CO - General Assembly Democrats today sent a letter to Colorado’s congressional delegation, calling on them to oppose President Trump’s and congressional Republicans’ plan to kick Coloradans off their health care and cut food assistance to provide tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.

In the letter, the General Assembly Democrats wrote:

We strongly oppose President Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ tax ploy that will kick Coloradans off Medicaid and cut food assistance to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. The legislation threatens the Colorado way of life by making it harder for hardworking families to put food on the table and access medical care. Under the ruse of “cutting waste, fraud and abuse,” the bill is nothing more than tax cuts and deregulation for the richest people in our nation at the expense of those most in need.

To our Democratic Senators and Representatives, we are proud that you strongly oppose this cruel legislation that will kick Coloradans off their health care and increase costs and hardship for everyone except the ultra wealthy. If the Senate passes this bill, we hope Representatives Gabe Evans, Jeff Hurd, Jeff Crank and Lauren Boebert do what is right for Colorado, vote no when it returns to the House, and use their power to protect health care for Coloradans instead of taking it away.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Rep. Diana DeGette, Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Jeff Hurd, Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Jeff Crank, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Brittany Pettersen and Rep. Gabe Evans:

We strongly oppose President Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ tax ploy that will kick Coloradans off Medicaid and cut food assistance to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. The legislation threatens the Colorado way of life by making it harder for hardworking families to put food on the table and access medical care. Under the ruse of “cutting waste, fraud and abuse,” the bill is nothing more than tax cuts and deregulation for the richest people in our nation at the expense of those most in need. 

Colorado is a donor state, which means we pay more in federal taxes than we receive back in federal funding. As state lawmakers tasked with fighting for Colorado, we are taking a stand. Coloradans want their federal dollars working for them in our clinics, hospitals, and food pantries – not frozen by Washington bureaucrats or lining the pockets of billionaires. 

Kicking qualified Coloradans off Medicaid 

The Republicans’ plan will have devastating effects on every sector of Colorado’s health care system. Colorado hospitals, clinics, and other providers could lose up to $990 million in annual federal Medicaid funding. We made responsible choices in a tight budget year to protect Medicaid coverage for our most vulnerable community members and to provide emergency financial support to safety net providers, but this level of cost shifting will be too much for the state budget to bear. 

Proposed cuts to Medicaid will result in an estimated 140,000-230,000 Coloradans suddenly losing health care coverage (11-18 percent of current Medicaid participants). Preventive health care coverage provided through Medicaid saves Coloradans money and leads to better health outcomes. The burdensome administrative barriers proposed in this bill, such as more frequent redeterminations and increased paperwork, will mean that Coloradans who are qualified for Medicaid coverage will have a difficult time receiving it or affording it.

The Republicans’ budget also requires new copays for low-income Coloradans, increasing medical costs for families with incomes as low as $22,000 per year. This will force hardworking Coloradans to delay necessary procedures or care and ultimately rely more on emergency room care, straining rural and other hospitals that are already near the breaking point.

If this bill passes, critical health care facilities will close their doors, and it will jeopardize access to life-saving care for everyone. The bill prohibits federal reimbursements to Planned Parenthood for family planning and preventive care like screenings and tests, which will disproportionately impact lower-income women and people of color. By placing restrictions on premium tax credits, this bill will also increase insurance costs for Coloradans and undermine insurance coverage for life-saving reproductive health care, including abortion. 

Choosing billionaires over hungry kids and hardworking families 

A drastic and unnecessary overhaul of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Program (SNAP) will drive up state and county costs in Colorado by approximately $260 million annually. The Republican’s bill also creates higher eligibility requirements for food assistance programs, making it harder for Coloradans over 55 and families with children between 8 and 18 years old to receive the support they need. The Biden administration increased SNAP benefits by 21 percent in 2021, which kept 3 million people out of poverty. The Republicans’ bill blocks that administrative power altogether. 

To our Democratic Senators and Representatives, we are proud that you strongly oppose this cruel legislation that will kick Coloradans off their health care and increase costs and hardship for everyone except the ultra wealthy. If the Senate passes this bill, we hope Representatives Gabe Evans, Jeff Hurd, Jeff Crank and Lauren Boebert do what is right for Colorado, vote no when it returns to the House, and use their power to protect health care for Coloradans instead of taking it away. 

Signed,

Colorado State Senators and Representatives

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, House District 13

Senate President James Coleman, Senate District 33

House Majority Leader Monica Duran, House District 23

Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, Senate District 32

Senator Judy Amabile, Senate District 18

Senator Matt Ball, Senate District 31

Senator Jeff Bridges, Senate District 26

Senator Lisa Cutter, Senate District 20

Senator Jessie Danielson, Senate District 22

Senator Lindsey Daugherty, Senate District 19

Senator Tony Exum, Sr., Senate District 11

Senator Julie Gonzales, Senate District 34

Senator Nick Hinrichsen, Senate District 3

Senator Iman Jodeh, Senate District 29

Senator Cathy Kipp, Senate District 14

Senator Chris Kolker, Senate District 16

Senator Janice Marchman, Senate District 15

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Senate District 21

Senator Kyle Mullica, Senate District 24

Senator Dylan Roberts, Senate District 8

Senator Marc Snyder, Senate District 12

Senator Tom Sullivan, Senate District 27

Senator Katie Wallace, Senate District 17

Senator Mike Weissman, Senate District 28

Senator Faith Winter, Senate District 25

Representative Shannon Bird, House District 29

Representative Andrew Boesenecker, House District 53

Representative Kyle Brown, House District 12

Representative Sean Camacho, House District 6

Representative Chad Clifford, House District 37

Representative Regina English, House District 17

Representative Cecelia Espenoza, House District 4

Representative Lorena Garcia, House District 35

Representative Lindsay Gilchrist, House District 8

Representative Eliza Hamrick, House District 61

Representative Jamie Jackson, House District 41

Representative Junie Joseph, House District 10

Representative Sheila Lieder, House District 28

Representative Mandy Lindsay, House District 42

Representative William Lindstedt, House District 33

Representative Meghan Lukens, House District 26

Representative Javier Mabrey, House District 1

Representative Matthew Martinez, House District 62

Representative Tisha Mauro, House District 46

Representative Karen McCormick, House District 11

Representative Amy Paschal, House District 18

Representative Jacque Phillips, House District 31

Representative Naquetta Ricks, House District 40

Representative Manny Rutinel, House District 32

Representative Gretchen Rydin, House District 38

Representative Emily Sirota, House District 9

Representative Lesley Smith, House District 49

Representative Katie Stewart, House District 59

Representative Rebekah Stewart, House District 30

Representative Tammy Story, House District 25

Representative Brianna Titone, House District 27

Representative Alex Valdez, House District 5

Representative Elizabeth Velasco, House District 57

Representative Jenny Willford, House District 34

Representative Steven Woodrow, House District 2

Representative Yara Zokaie, House District 52

Signed! New Law Will Reduce Property Insurance Costs

New law improves accountability from insurance companies who use risk management models to assess price

LOUISVILLE, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law that will help Coloradans save money on their property insurance policies by requiring transparency in wildfire mitigation risk models and how they impact an individual’s insurance policy.

“When Coloradans are properly informed about fire mitigation, they can be more strategic about the steps they can take to protect their property from fire damage and correct any errors in their insurers’ records,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Insurance companies are increasingly using wildfire risk scoring and models to determine policy coverage and pricing, but the lack of transparency has left property owners confused about what they can do to reduce their risk and save money. This law promotes transparency and accountability in property insurance so Coloradans can take effective mitigation efforts that help bring down their insurance costs.”

“I frequently hear from constituents that they are being denied insurance or their premiums have increased dramatically. It has always concerned me that we incentivize and encourage mitigation, but there’s no way to tie these efforts directly to insurance," said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This new law addresses that, requiring insurers to consider mitigation efforts, provide transparency to homeowners on the wildfire risk models they use, and give them the opportunity to appeal directly.”

“Colorado Democrats’ fire mitigation efforts help Coloradans protect their properties against wildfires, and this law helps clarify how property owners can implement these strategies to drive down their insurance costs,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This new law will improve transparency behind wildfire risk score calculations so Coloradans can take the action they need to save money and protect their property from wildfire damage.”

HB25-1182, also sponsored by Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, requires insurance companies that use risk management models to assess price according to risk of wildfires and other catastrophic events to provide thorough information about how the models impact an individual’s insurance policy with policyholders and the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Insurance companies must also accurately consider mitigation efforts from policyholders when assessing risk, implement and publicize discounts and rewards programs for mitigating risk, and clear a path for policyholders to appeal their risk classification data if they believe it’s inaccurate. Insurers are required to respond to an appeal with a decision within 30 calendar days.

Signed! Legislation to Protect Access to Health Care, Stabilize Health Care Safety Net

SB25-290 will support medical providers that serve low-income communities, protecting access to essential health care for thousands of Coloradans

LAFAYETTE, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, and Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, to protect access to essential health care for thousands of Coloradans was signed into law yesterday.

SB25-290, also sponsored by Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, will provide immediate financial support to a broad cross-section of safety net health providers, including rural hospitals, community health centers, and behavioral health clinics.

“In every corner of Colorado, our health care safety net is in crisis. Senate Bill 290 is a much-needed lifeline to ensure the most vulnerable people in our state continue to have access to health care,” said Mullica. “Between higher costs and workforce shortages, our safety net providers are facing unprecedented pressures, with more than half reporting operating in the negative. This new law fills an immediate need to ensure these safety net providers can keep their doors open and the people of Colorado can still receive the care they need.”

“Our health care safety net providers that take care of our low-income, older, and vulnerable community members are in crisis,” said Brown. “Our law fills an immediate funding need to prevent our safety net providers from closing their doors and leaving hundreds of Coloradans without the health care they need. These dollars will help protect essential health care for so many low-income and working Coloradans now.”

“Without our safety net providers, many Coloradans won’t have access to the preventive and primary care that helps them lead healthier lives,” said Bird. “Higher costs and workforce shortages mean our safety net providers are shouldering enormous financial pressures just to keep the doors open. This law provides immediate, short-term support to our safety net providers so our community members can receive the health care they need.”

Safety net providers include primary care and family clinics that provide critical health care to communities across Colorado, like seniors, hardworking families, and rural Coloradans. These safety net providers have been under an enormous financial strain as demand and costs increase. 

SB25-290 will create the Provider Stabilization Fund within the Department of the Treasury to distribute stabilization payments to safety net providers who provide care to Medicaid recipients and low-income, uninsured individuals on a sliding scale or for free.  

The new law will transfer interest earnings and, if necessary, principal from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to the Provider Stabilization Fund as an interest-free loan to be repaid by 2045. Payments will be distributed based on the proportion of low-income and uninsured individuals that the provider serves. 

Congressional Republicans’ proposed budget reconciliation bill would further strain safety net providers, especially rural hospitals that depend on Medicaid funds. Without access to preventive and primary care services, Coloradans are more likely to seek emergency care, increasing costs in the health care system as a whole and leading to worse health outcomes.

Legislation to Increase Access to Affordable Prescription Medicine Signed Into Law

SB25-289 will create a program to safely donate and dispense certain unused medicine

LAFAYETTE, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed into law legislation to increase access to low-cost prescription medicines through the creation of a drug donation program. 

SB25-289, sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, will allow individuals and institutions to safely donate unused medicine to eligible recipients. Recipients can include distributors, pharmacies, clinics, health care providers, and hospitals. They are required to keep records on donors and donated medicine, store donated medicine separately from regular stock, and have it inspected by a licensed pharmacist.

“Every year, the United States spends billions to dispose of unused prescription medicines from nursing homes, assisted living residences, hospices, and jails,” said Cutter. “Additionally, many left-over prescriptions are flushed down the toilet or thrown into the trash, which causes immeasurable harm to our environment and water supply. With this new law, we are creating a program to reduce waste, protect the environment, and help Coloradans access the medication they need.”

In 2021, 9.7 percent of Colorado residents reported being unable to fill their prescription due to cost. Of those, 40 percent said their health condition worsened as a result. Under this new law, patients in need will have access to free and low-cost donated medicine. The program will exclude opioids, scheduled medications, and medicines that require special storage conditions unless storage conditions can be verified. 

The creation of this program, including best practices from other states and safety provisions, has been extensively researched by a task force created by SB22-098.

Bill to Boost Incomes, Address Home Care Workforce Shortage Becomes Law

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care.

“This law uplifts the voices of home care workers, who are more often women and women of color, to ensure they have safe working conditions and earn a livable wage,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “We’re implementing recommendations crafted by care workers, employers and direct care consumers to create a home care industry that works for all Coloradans. I’m proud to stand by both home care workers and patients to improve everyday life for our residents.”

“We must do better to support the essential workers who provide in-home care, which offers dignity and independence to so many Coloradans,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “I sponsored the 2023 legislation that created this oversight board, and now it’s time to act on their recommendations. These workers deserve more than our gratitude – they deserve fair pay, stronger protections, and clear access to information on their rights and the compensation they’re entitled to.”

“We’re supporting the direct care workforce to ensure Coloradans have access to the quality health care that they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our state is falling behind when it comes to providing in-home care services for aging Coloradans, which is why we’re addressing the home care workforce shortage. This law works to respond to the needs of our care workforce to support working families and create a strong, qualified in-home care workforce.”

“In-home care workers care for our parents, our grandparents, our loved ones with disabilities, and so many others who deserve to live safely and with dignity in their own homes,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “While these care providers take care of our family and friends, they often face low pay and poor working conditions, making it hard to stay in the profession. As a result, Colorado is facing a shortage of in-home care workers. This new law is about honoring their work, improving their livelihoods, and ensuring that those who care for others are cared for themselves.”

HB25-1328 implements recommendations from the Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board, including:

• Requiring the board to investigate how health care benefits for direct care workers compare to other industries and how to reduce costs,

• Establishing a free “Know Your Rights” training, including information regarding wages, rules for travel time, how to file a complaint, current state and federal laws and where they can find more information,

• Investigating violations related to training and labor standards and fining employers who violate direct care workforce regulations, and

• Creating a website and communication platform that includes various trainings, information on worker’s rights, access to benefits, recruitment opportunities and other information.

• Increasing the minimum wage for direct care service workers to $17 per hour starting July 1, 2025, and recommending future minimum wage increases.

The Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was created by legislation, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran and Sen. Danielson, to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and address the workforce crisis. Rep. Sirota and Sen. Bridges sponsored a 2024 law creating a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages.

New Bipartisan Law Will Preserve Rural Access to Health Care

Bipartisan legislation will safeguard independent pharmacies that rural communities rely on

ALAMOSA, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed bipartisan legislation into law to preserve access to pharmacies and health care in rural communities.

“Health care access in rural communities is already limited, and this law works to preserve the local pharmacies that Coloradans rely on,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “From regular prescription refills to immunizations, pharmacies are a lifeline in our communities. This bipartisan law aims to maintain health care access for Coloradans in our part of the state by establishing fair reimbursement rates for rural pharmacies. It also permits telehealth for rural pharmacies to make it easier and less expensive for Coloradans to get the health care they need.”

“Independent rural pharmacies are so important to the people who live in the rural and mountain communities that I represent. They rely on them for essential services like prescription refills, medical supplies, immunizations, and so much more,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “This bipartisan law will ensure fair reimbursement rates and audit recovery practices so that drug delivery for independent and rural pharmacies are adequate enough to level the playing field against corporate health care giants and safeguard essential health services.”

HB25-1222, also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, and Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, helps preserve access to rural health care by:

• Ensuring a fair reimbursement for rural independent pharmacies,

• Allowing the delivery of drugs by rural independent pharmacies to underserved communities,

• Clarifying fair audit recovery practices so rural independent pharmacies don’t close, and

• Allowing remote prescription evaluations for pharmacies to improve accessibility for Coloradans.

For Coloradans living in rural communities, these modifications will maintain access to vital prescriptions and health care services close to home without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays.

Signed! New Law Will Strengthen Community, Environmental Protections

SAN LUIS, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to strengthen community and environmental protections during new fence construction in the San Luis Valley.

“To protect our environment and the Colorado Way of Life in the San Luis Valley, we need to boost local control surrounding fence construction,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “When I visited the newly constructed fence in my community, I was appalled by the negative impact on our environment and the livelihoods of my neighbors. Many San Luis Valley residents have land rights beyond the fence dating back to before Colorado’s statehood. This law requires individuals to submit an application before constructing certain new fences to prioritize local voices.”

“It is an honor to work on HB25-1023 alongside Representatives Martinez and Bacon, Senator Simpson, and dedicated and resilient Hispano community leaders. This bill is personal for me – my family’s roots go back in this part of the state for generations, long before it was Colorado or even Mexico,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “In spite of that exceptional and unique history, billionaires repeatedly violated sacred and hard-fought communal land agreements, and in so doing disrupted wildlife, ranching, and community life. HB25-1023 is about honoring those commitments and respecting the rights and agency of our communities.”

“Communities in the San Luis Valley have long had the legal right to access lands they held before Colorado became a state, but a massive, private fence now encircles this property, preventing community access and harming the environment,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This law helps prevent further ecological damage and permits access for animal grazing while ensuring that Coloradans and their livestock can still traverse the land their families have called home for generations.”

Cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, HB25-1023 requires individuals to submit an application to local government officials before constructing or installing a contiguous fence of a certain size in the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant lands. The law empowers local governments to determine if the benefits of a fencing project outweigh the harms in their community. Local governments must pass an ordinance or resolution opting into these requirements. 

Recent fence construction on one of the Sangre de Cristo land grant properties has caused environmental damage, including land erosion and limiting wildlife movement, and has kept out local residents with legal access to the land grant. This law takes aim at future, unauthorized fencing construction projects to protect the natural habitats in the San Luis Valley.

Signed! Pair of Bills to Bolster Workforce Readiness and Support Colorado Students

DENVER, CO – Governor Polis on Friday signed two bills into law to support Colorado students and bolster workforce readiness. 

HB25-1278, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Representatives Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, will implement recommendations from the Accountability, Accreditation, Student Performance, and Resource Inequity Task Force created by HB23-1241. 

Co-sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, HB25-1278 makes a number of improvements to benchmarks for student success, including standardized assessments and performance indicators. It will also increase measures to gauge accountability from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), including the appointment of an Accountability Work Group to provide feedback on state and federal accountability policies and make recommendations to the State Board of Education. 

“Making sure that every student is receiving a high quality education no matter where they attend school is critically important,” said Bird, sponsor of HB25-1278 and SB25-315. “A new law I sponsored will update how we measure the quality of education being offered in our public schools. The goal is to ensure that K-12 students are receiving the best education to prepare them for the future ahead – whether that be higher education or career readiness. Additionally, we’re streamlining how our state funds career readiness programs so our students have more, higher quality opportunities to find in-demand, well-paying careers after graduation.”

“Meeting students where they are and providing accurate benchmarks to measure their success is one of the best ways we can support students and educators,” said Michaelson Jenet. “I’m proud to sponsor this new law that will invest in our students and invest in our state’s future.”

“As a teacher, I know students succeed in the classroom when they have resources tailored to them,” said Lukens. “This new law will ensure that statewide tests are more accessible for all students – including students living with a disability and Spanish-speaking students. We want every student, no matter where they live in Colorado, to receive a world-class education and this law implements some important accountability measures to ensure the diverse needs of our K-12 students are being met.”

The updated state accountability laws for public schools and districts will better measure student outcomes and create a new sub-indicator to support postsecondary and workforce readiness before graduation.

SB25-315, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, Kirkmeyer, and Reps. Bird, and Emily Sirota, D-Denver, restructures existing postsecondary workforce (PWR) readiness funding into a singular, coordinated distribution mechanism in the CDE to improve access to programs that will boost highly-skilled, in-demand career opportunities. 

The new PWR Innovation Grant Program will distribute grants to local education providers for the development and implementation of programs that support students in completing postsecondary credit, credentials, or work-based learning.

“Opportunity is a Colorado value, and this bill ensures that more kids across our state will have the skills they need to succeed in Colorado’s highly skilled workforce,” said Bridges. “I’ve said for years that every high schooler should graduate with an associates degree, certificate, or meaningful internship. Over the last 10 years, we’ve made incredible progress toward that goal, and this bill will ensure that those opportunities are available in districts throughout the entire state.”

“We’re taking steps today to help our students land good-paying, high-demand careers after graduation,” said Sirota. “This law simplifies the postsecondary workforce readiness grant program to make it easier for our students to access education programs, including work-based learning and apprenticeships. Strengthening Colorado’s workforce requires us to invest today in our students, and this new law boosts educational opportunities and opens career pathways for students.”

Earlier this week, Governor Polis signed an executive order directing Colorado’s state agencies - including the Departments of Education, Higher Education, Labor & Employment, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade - to coordinate more closely on the state’s efforts to better prepare learners for the future.

Bill to Support and Identify Elementary Students with Dyslexia Signed Into Law

SB25-200 will require universal dyslexia screening for early elementary students in Colorado

DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed into law bipartisan legislation to jumpstart early identification, support, and clear communication with parents or guardians for elementary school students with dyslexia 

SB25-200 is sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Representatives Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, and Matt Soper, R-Delta. This new law will require schools to either adopt a universal dyslexia screening tool or develop a process to identify students in early elementary grades who exhibit characteristics of dyslexia, adding to existing reading interventions in the Colorado READ Act.

“Supporting students with dyslexia requires a different approach than supporting those with general reading challenges – they need specific tools to succeed,” said Kolker. “The vast majority of other states already require universal dyslexia screenings, and with this law, Colorado is stepping up. Early intervention is everything, and every child deserves the opportunity to succeed with the right information and support.”

“Dyslexia is the most commonly diagnosed learning disability, yet Colorado schools do not have a universal screening process,” said Hamrick. “As a former teacher, I know early intervention is key to setting our students on a pathway to success. Our new, bipartisan law will require Colorado schools to implement a universal dyslexia screening to ensure our elementary students receive the support, resources and tools they need to thrive.”

“My ‘why’ for this bill is my amazing daughter, who has dyslexia,” said Mullica. “Even as a family actively involved in her education, we struggled to get her the support she needed to thrive. The screenings schools currently use for reading challenges don’t go far enough, and one-size-fits-all interventions simply don’t work. By implementing universal, early dyslexia screenings through this law, we can ensure that no child – regardless of their background or circumstance – falls through the cracks.” 

According to the Colorado Department of Education, dyslexia affects about 15 to 20 percent of the population, making it the most commonly diagnosed learning disability. Early intervention for dyslexia significantly improves educational outcomes. Before this law, Colorado was one of only seven states that did not mandate screenings for dyslexia.

SIGNED! 2025 School Finance Act

HB25-1320 will drive $256 million more to Colorado’s K-12 public schools for the 2025-2026 school year

WESTMINSTER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to implement the new school funding formula and sustainably drive more funding to Colorado’s K-12 public schools.

“It’s a great day for students, teachers and schools in Colorado! The bipartisan 2025 School Finance Act boosts funding by $256 million and turns on the new school finance formula that will drive more resources to the students who need them the most,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Despite nearly universal declining enrollment, the 2025 School Finance Act ensures that no district drops below the funding amount they received this school year. We’re deeply committed to investing in our K-12 public schools, and this year’s School Finance Act supports rural schools and our most vulnerable students while creating a sustainable pathway to significantly increase school funding.”

“This is the first time since the 1990s that we’ve instituted a new funding formula for our schools,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “From boosting per-pupil funding to supporting underserved districts and at-risk students who need a helping hand, this year’s School Finance Act is good for families, teachers, and most importantly, students. It’s a strong investment in Colorado’s kids and public schools and ultimately, a strong investment in Colorado’s future.” 

“As a teacher, I know how important adequate funding is to create an environment where students can succeed,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “The 2025 School Finance Act invests $256 million more in our public schools this year, meaning funding will rise by over $410 per student on average. The law implements the new school funding formula to better support every student in our public schools. Our law drives funding to our K-12 schools equitably and sustainably, so our students can maximize their learning potential.”

Colorado lawmakers have worked diligently to drive record-breaking funding to Colorado’s K-12 public schools. Since 2019, when voters gave Democrats the trifecta, total funding for schools has increased by over $3 billion, while Colorado schools have lost tens of thousands of students. Since the 2018-2019 school year, average per-pupil funding has increased from $8,123 to $11,852 next year. 

The 2025 School Finance Act will drive $256.7 million more to Colorado’s public schools than last school year, bringing the 2025-2026 school funding total to a record $10.035 billion despite Colorado facing a declining student enrollment environment. Also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, HB25-1320 acknowledges unique challenges for rural and remote districts, increases education funding to keep up with inflation, and prioritizes sustainable funding for years to come. 

In last year’s School Finance Act, lawmakers delivered on their promise to pay off the Budget Stabilization Factor. At the same time, HB24-1448 modernized the school funding formula used to determine the total program funding for Colorado’s K-12 public school districts for the first time in 30 years. This legislation created a more student-centered formula designed to drive more resources to rural and underserved districts, as well as students living with a disability, at-risk students and English Language Learners. 

For the 2025-2026 school year, HB25-1320 will:

• Provide $83.2 million more for public schools next year than the old school finance formula

• Increase average per-pupil funding by $412, bringing the total per-pupil funding to $11,863, and

• Ensure that 157 of 178 districts will see an average 2.9 percent increase in funding, while the remaining 21 districts with significantly declining enrollment are held harmless.

HB25-1320 implements the new school funding formula at 15 percent per year for six years, and then 10 percent for the final seventh year of implementation, while still maintaining the four-year averaging model for the 2025-26 school year. 

This new law also creates the “Kids Matter Fund” within the State Education Fund. Beginning July 1, 2026, the state treasurer will be required to transfer into the account 0.00065 percent of existing state revenue collected from federal taxable income each year. For the 2026-2027 school year, revenue will amount to an estimated $230 million for schools. The account will be used to protect per pupil funding and funding for programs, including special education.

HB25-1320 is designed to give the legislature the flexibility to continue increasing school funding while adapting to changing budget realities. To maintain the financial health of the State Education Fund (SEF), HB25-1320 provides the flexibility to adjust the percentage of the formula implemented each year or the averaging components of the formula to ensure a healthy reserve in the fund’s balance.

Signed! New Law Protects Gender-Affirming Health Care Coverage

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law that will protect gender-affirming health care insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ Coloradans.

“While the GOP continues to attack the LGBTQ+ community, Colorado Democrats passed this new law to ensure trans Coloradans have access to gender-affirming care,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “This law codifies insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, protecting access to medically necessary and evidence-based health care. We’re creating a Colorado that respects, protects and values the trans community.”

“Trans and nonbinary Coloradans deserve access to the evidence-based, lifesaving care they need,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. “Colorado already requires insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, and this new law strengthens those protections by writing them into law and ensuring they can’t be easily undone. The law also removes testosterone from the prescription drug monitoring program which has been misused in other states to target providers and patients. I’m proud to sponsor this new law that will protect what already works and safeguard our freedoms.”

“Now more than ever, it is crucial that we ensure Colorado law protects trans people,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “Colorado has become a safe haven for trans Americans who face relentless attacks from their government, which is why I sponsored this law to protect gender-affirming health care coverage. As the first openly trans legislator in Colorado, I am proud to pass this law to ensure our state continues to be a place where trans people can safely live and thrive.”

“In Colorado, we believe in bodily autonomy and the freedom to live as our authentic selves,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “Everyone has the right to make personal health care decisions without political interference. At a time when the trans community is being targeted across the country, I’m proud to stand up for the individual rights and liberties of all Coloradans.”

HB25-1309 codifies into Colorado statute that health care insurance plans cannot deny or limit gender-affirming health care that is determined medically necessary by a health care provider. Gender-affirming care can include hormone therapy, facial reconstruction, hair removal and other treatments or procedures. The law also adds privacy protections for Coloradans who undergo hormone therapy by exempting testosterone from Colorado’s prescription drug use monitoring program tracking requirements.

This January, President Trump signed an executive order to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, leading to medical providers across the country ending medically necessary care overnight. Congress is currently considering the Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, which includes a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender people on Medicaid and insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. This would impact over 270,000 transgender adults throughout the country who receive health care through Medicaid.

Currently, 26 states have passed legislation banning gender-affirming care. One report found that 94-percent of trans and non-binary adults feel unsafe due to bans on gender-affirming care.

JOINT RELEASE: Wage Theft Prevention Legislation Signed Into Law

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law that will combat wage theft in all industries, boosting the economic security of Colorado workers by ensuring they are paid for their work.

“This new law is a huge win for hardworking Coloradans and continues our bold efforts to boost wages and create an economy that works for everyone,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Wage theft is the largest source of theft in our state, with women and communities of color disproportionately becoming victims of wage theft. With this new law, we’re allowing workers to more quickly access their owed wages and strengthening protections for whistleblowers so Coloradans can receive the money they have worked hard to earn.” 

“Colorado workers lose hundreds of millions of dollars per year in wages due to theft from bad-acting employers," said Sen. Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “Many of these workers are heads of their households already struggling to make ends meet. With this legislation, Colorado’s labor force would more quickly and easily access their owed wages so they are fairly compensated for the work they do.”

“When employers refuse to pay their employees for the work they’ve already completed, it is the same thing as stealing money out of their wallet,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Wage theft hurts Colorado workers and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Our new law will help provide better support for workers to ensure they can be fairly paid for the work they do.”

“I am committed to making sure every hardworking Coloradan receives the money they earned,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “This new law fights wage theft and protects whistleblowers so all workers can speak up without fear of retaliation.”

HB25-1001 helps protect workers who make wage theft claims and prevent wage theft occurrences by holding bad-acting employers accountable and increasing the wage theft claim cap. Currently, wage theft claims are capped at $7,500. This law increases the cap to $13,000 starting July 1, 2026, with that claim amount adjusting for inflation beginning in 2028.

Wage theft can include not paying workers minimum wage, non-payment of wages, misclassifying workers as independent contractors or as management to avoid paying overtime, and taking tips that were meant for the employees.

The law will expedite the process so the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) can pay wage theft victims more quickly. CDLE can now crack down on worker misclassification, a technique used to avoid providing benefits and overtime wages.

To deter employers from stealing wages, CDLE must publish wage theft determinations and update a list of wage theft violators on the division’s website. Under the law, CDLE must report wage theft violations to licensing and permitting bodies if there is a willful violation that is not remedied within sixty days.

HB25-1001 allows third parties to bring complaints on a worker’s behalf and extends anti-retaliation and discrimination measures for all workers who raise complaints, allowing for similarly situated employees to speak up for others. 

A 2022 report by the Colorado Fiscal Institute found that nearly 440,000 low-wage Colorado workers experience $728 million in wage theft annually. Workers of color and women are most likely to be victims of wage theft, and the most common industries for wage theft are retail, construction, and food service. Reps. Duran and Froelich and Sen. Danielson have championed numerous bills to ensure workers receive the wages they’ve earned, including legislation in 2022 that ensures Colorado workers are able to recover legally earned wages.

JOINT RELEASE: New Law Will Strengthen Victim Protections and Housing Security

DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law to strengthen protections for victims of gender-based violence. HB25-1168 improves housing security, expands access to justice, and keeps Coloradans safe.

“Housing instability is one of the biggest threats to people who experience gender-based violence, with 11 percent of people experiencing homelessness in the Denver Metro Area fleeing domestic violence,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “Many victims can’t safely leave their abuser, which is why our new law strengthens Colorado’s victim protection laws and establishes new mechanisms to improve a victim’s access to justice and safe housing. Gender-based violence is traumatic, and no one deserves to face long-lasting financial consequences or homelessness as a result.”

"Too often, survivors of domestic violence are forced to choose between their safety and their housing," said Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver. "No one should be stuck in a dangerous situation because they can’t afford to break a lease or are left with damages they didn’t cause. This law gives survivors the legal protections they need to reclaim their safety and move forward with dignity."

“The Violence Against Women Act is near and dear to my heart, and I’m proud to sponsor this law to better align Colorado law with these protections to keep victims safe,” said Rep. Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver. “As a judge, I know how important it is to have strong protections in statute, and this law is a meaningful change that better allows victims to end their leases early while providing a payment plan to protect landlords and keep victims housed. This law is a huge win for survivors of gender-based violence to ensure they have the tools they need to build a strong, safe future away from their abuser.”

"Too often, survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking face a lose/lose situation when it comes to their housing," said Sen. Mike Weissman.  "It can be expensive to try to stay in one's home or expensive to relocate, on top of the immense personal cost of victimization. Whatever difficult choice they make, this important new law will help survivors by offering payment plans for back rent or limiting the costs of relocating such as losing a security deposit. Either way, survivors have a better path to safety, stability, and a chance at a fresh start."

Currently, a tenant cannot be found guilty of unlawfully residing in a property if the tenant is experiencing domestic violence or domestic abuse and they provide a police report or civil or emergency protection order proving they were a victim. HB25-1168 expands these victim protections to include victims of unlawful sexual behavior and stalking and allows self-attestation or a letter signed by a qualified third party to be used as proof, reducing hurdles to accessing critical protections.

Additional victim protection expansions include:

• Allowing victims who terminate a lease to not be held liable for property damage caused by their abuser during incidents of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse,

• Ensuring victims can change locks to their rental property on their own as long as they provide a copy of the key to the landlord as soon as reasonably possible, if the victim provides documentation to prove they are a victim-survivor,

• Prohibiting a landlord from assigning debt allegedly owed by a tenant who is a victim-survivor to a third-party debt collector unless the landlord provides at least a 90-day notice to the tenant and complies with the requirement to provide the tenant with documentation of the economic damages, and

• Requiring tenants to pay no more than one month’s rent after they vacate the residence and terminate the lease if, within 30 days, the landlord provides proof of economic damages as a result of the early lease termination.

To strengthen eviction protections, this law also requires landlords to offer a repayment plan to victim-survivors for late or unpaid rent before a court may issue an eviction order. The repayment plan cannot exceed nine months from the date the plan was established.

A 2023 report from the Colorado Coalition of the Homeless found that 1,265 Coloradans experiencing homelessness also reported being a victim of domestic violence.

JOINT RELEASE: Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act

HB25-1239 will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act

DENVER, CO - Governor Polis yesterday signed a new law to strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws.

HB25-1239, sponsored by Senators Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Representatives Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, and Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, will expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) to protect vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities. 

“People with disabilities should have the same rights to seek damages after experiencing discrimination as any other protected group,” said Weissman. “This bill ensures that people with disabilities can be compensated for attorney fees, emotional distress, and other noneconomic harms if they experience discrimination or violation of their civil rights.”

“Under threat from the Trump Administration, it’s more important now than ever that we strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws,” said Zokaie. “When someone is wronged, we have a duty to create a pathway to justice. With this new law, we’re upholding our shared values of fairness, dignity, and equality under Colorado law and better protecting Coloradans who experience discrimination.”

“The cost of hiring an attorney prevents many Coloradans from pursuing justice after facing discrimination,” said Daugherty. “People with disabilities who are denied housing or turned away from public spaces deserve a clear path to hold wrongdoers accountable and access the support they need to move forward.”

“This law addresses unreasonable deadlines, barriers to financial compensation and other gaps in the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act to strengthen protections for Coloradans who experience discrimination,” said Boesenecker. “From housing discrimination to inaccessible building entrances, Coloradans with disabilities have faced barriers to access for far too long. This law provides crucial recourse to people with disabilities and other victims of discrimination to ensure they can receive the justice they deserve.”

This law comes from a task force established by the legislature in 2023 to study the rights of Coloradans with disabilities and make recommendations. HB25-1239 is the largest expansion of CADA enforcement rights since CADA was passed nearly 70 years ago.

This new law will allow victims of discrimination to receive monetary compensation for unfair housing practices, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights under the CADA for all protected classes. Under the law, victims will be able to recover attorney’s fees and costs, and either recovery of actual monetary damages, non-economic damages of up to $50,000, or a statutory fine of $5,000 per violation per aggrieved party.

Awards for damages for non-economic loss or injury will be limited to $50,000. A defendant will be entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the amount of the non-economic loss or injury if the defendant corrects the violation within 30 days of the complaint and did not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly cause the violation.

Signed! Bill to Protect Wild Bison

SB25-053 will make it illegal to hunt wild bison by classifying them as wildlife

GOLDEN, CO – The Governor yesterday signed into law a bill to classify bison as big game wildlife unless the bison are privately owned livestock. SB25-053, sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, will make it illegal to hunt wild bison. 

“This new law will protect wild bison, which is a priority for the Native community as well as wildlife conservationists,” said Danielson. “Bison are crossing into Colorado from states like Utah, where they are protected, into a state where they can be poached without consequence. It’s our responsibility to protect these animals that play a key role in our state’s culture, history, and environment.”

The majority of bison in Colorado are either privately owned livestock or living in a refuge, but in recent years, wild bison have crossed from Utah into northwest Colorado. 

SB25-053 is one of three bills advanced by the bipartisan American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee last year. Similar laws to protect wild bison exist in Utah, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

JOINT RELEASE: GOP Budget Is Devastating for Coloradans

US House votes to slash Medicaid, kick Coloradans off health insurance, and cut food assistance to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans

DENVER, CO — Speaker Julie McCluskie, President James Coleman, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, and JBC members Shannon Bird, Jeff Bridges, Emily Sirota, and Judy Amabile today released the following statements after the US House passed Trump’s Medicaid cuts. 

Statement from Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon: 

“Coloradans across the state– from rural health providers to seniors in long term care– are counting on us to speak up now and tell members of Congress to oppose this bill. This shouldn’t be partisan. We pay more in federal taxes than we receive back, and now Republicans in Congress want to take even more. Trump’s budget kicks vulnerable people off their health care, cuts food assistance for children, and will force rural health clinics to close or turn away patients. This is an all hands on deck moment to stop these painful cuts that will devastate Coloradans."

Statement from Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver:

“Congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill benefits billionaires on the backs of hardworking Coloradans and Americans. Nearly one in five Coloradans rely on Medicaid for health care. That’s over one million Coloradans from Denver to Durango, and everywhere in between. The vote to advance this package is an expected, yet disappointing step forward, and I urge Colorado’s federal delegation to do all they can to defend our access to essential medical care and fix the mess that Washington is creating for us here at home.”

Statement from House Majority Leader Monica Duran:

“Congress should be cutting taxes for working families, not cutting Medicaid and food assistance and rolling back consumer protections. These GOP cuts will harm the most vulnerable in Colorado and force us to choose between bad and worse options to keep our budget balanced. Furthermore, this bill defunds Planned Parenthood, which would disproportionately limit access to family planning and preventive care like screenings and tests for women and people of color. I am deeply alarmed that this bill has moved forward.”  

Statement from Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver:

“The GOP’s reconciliation bill prioritizes the interests of the wealthiest Americans and powerful corporations over working families. From sweeping tax breaks for billionaires to buried provisions like a 10-year federal preemption on any and all AI safeguards, the bill reflects a consistent pattern: advancing the agenda of Big Tech and other special interests at the expense of consumer protections and public accountability."

Statement from JBC Chair Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County:

“Here in Colorado, we know what it’s like to make difficult decisions to balance our state budget. Every year, the Joint Budget Committee does so carefully, thoughtfully, and with the best interests of Colorado families in mind. While we budget with a scalpel, Congressional Republicans are using a chainsaw. This budget is irresponsible and reckless, and it will hurt Coloradans. Smart investments yield strong returns, and every dollar we invest in health care, education, and families pays dividends in a healthier, more productive workforce and a stronger economy. Slashing essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP will hurt families today, and jeopardize our state’s long-term stability and opportunity.”

Statement from JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster:

“Everyone who works hard deserves a fair opportunity to thrive and live the American dream, but Republicans in Congress just voted to make it harder. Instead of cutting costs for families, they are stripping health care from Coloradans and increasing copays for low-income people. Colorado’s budget simply cannot absorb these cuts, and if this bill passes, we will have to slash core services that people depend on and expect.  I am concerned that this bill will cause chaos in the stock market and crash people’s retirement savings, raise costs on consumers and worsen the economic volatility that’s hurting families under the Trump administration.”   

Statement from JBC member Judy Amabile, D-Boulder:

“Republicans in Congress are hellbent on making it harder for everyday Coloradans to stay on Medicaid. Millions of Coloradans rely on Medicaid and Medicare, and the drastic cuts to these programs in Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill will have devastating impacts from the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains. This further compounds our state’s budgetary challenges and will force the Joint Budget Committee to make impossible decisions about the future of Medicaid funding in Colorado and our ability to provide core services to hardworking families.”

Statement from Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver:

“GOP politicians in DC just voted to take health care and food assistance from vulnerable people so they can give massive tax cuts to billionaires and the wealthiest Americans. The message from Washington Republicans is clear: Trump, Musk and their billionaire backers are more important than hardworking people. Their budget cuts will harm those who can least afford it and make it harder for Colorado to fund higher education, K-12, public safety initiatives, and the critical services Coloradans rely on. We will be forced to reduce health care eligibility, cut services or pay providers less, jeopardizing our safety net and critical access facilities.”

JOINT RELEASE: Gov. Polis Signs Bill to Support Small Business

DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation to streamline the licensing and permitting process for food truck operators.

“Food trucks are a great option for entrepreneurs who want to jump into the restaurant scene without high overhead costs,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City. “Colorado was recently added to the Michelin Guide, driving up interest in local talent who want to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. This law streamlines small business permitting so they can focus on making delicious food, not filling out paperwork.”

“Small business owners and consumers across our state should have access to all of the innovative restaurant options Colorado’s hospitality industry has to offer,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “With this new law, arbitrary regulations and red tape won’t hinder the trailblazing restaurateurs across Colorado from supporting themselves and other small businesses.”

“This new law modernizes food truck permitting to help Colorado small businesses thrive,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “The food truck scene is popular throughout Colorado, but barriers like duplicative licenses and stringent restrictions make it difficult to run a successful business. With this legislation, we’re making it easier for Coloradans to operate their food truck businesses to boost local economies and small business owners while ensuring health standards are met for consumers.”

HB25-1295, also sponsored by Senator John Carson, R-Douglas County, will establish reciprocity amongst the state and individual local governments for food truck licensing and permitting to cut red tape. Businesses are required to hold a valid fire safety permit and food safety license, and local governments will retain their authority to enforce their laws, regulations, and codes. 

Under the new law, if a food truck operator holds valid licenses and permits from one local government, they can use those same credentials to operate in other participating cities and counties across Colorado. The law requires local governments to honor these permits so long as basic health and safety standards are met, and it streamlines the approval process with a 14-day turnaround requirement for permit reciprocity applications. This law bars municipalities from imposing blanket restrictions on food trucks, such as banning them in commercial zones where brick-and-mortar restaurants are allowed or enforcing excessive proximity limits.

Many food trucks have been able to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, including Mama Jo’s Biscuits and BBQ, Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs, Kiké’s Red Tacos and three-time James Beard Award nominee, Yuan Wonton.