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Bills to protect abortion rights, out-of-state patients announced by Colorado Democrats
Colorado Democrats announced Thursday that they will introduce a trio of bills that would build upon last year’s legislation that enshrines the right to abortion into state law. The bills would prohibit deceptive advertising for anti-abortion centers, increase insurance access for abortion coverage, and ensure that patients and providers for abortion and gender-affirming care would […]
‘Red flag’ expansion among gun bills that advance to Colorado Senate floor
Three bills aimed at slowing gun violence in Colorado made it through a committee on Wednesday following an all-day hearing at the Legislature. The entire Senate will now consider bills to expand the state’s extreme risk protection order law, allow victims of gun violence to sue manufacturers more easily, and raise the minimum age to […]
Colorado’s public utility model questioned in first committee meeting on rising rates
Colorado lawmakers held their first in a series of meetings looking into the forces behind increasing utility costs in the state and developing a plan to address the issue. “We have all heard from our constituents that their utility bills have gotten out of control,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg during a Tuesday hearing for […]
Proposal for firearm-sale waiting period advances through Colorado House committee
The first bill in Democrats’ gun safety legislation package passed through a committee at the Colorado Legislature on Monday after hours of testimony about how a waiting period for firearm purchases could be crucial in reducing suicide by firearms and gun violence overall. House Bill 23-1219 now heads to the full House to consider. If […]
Colorado bill would ban sale, transfer of assault weapons
Two Democratic Colorado lawmakers introduced a long-awaited bill that would ban the sale and transfer of assault weapons in the state. House Bill 23-1230 is sponsored by Rep. Elisabeth Epps of Denver and Sen. Rhonda Fields of Aurora. It has seven co-sponsors in the House, including Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, and one co-sponsor in […]
Democrats introduce bills to lower health care costs in Colorado
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and a group of Democratic lawmakers introduced a slate of new bills Thursday they say are meant to reduce health care costs in the state. The bills would reduce premiums for Colorado Option plans, lower prescription drug costs and work to increase transparency for hospital profits. “Saving people money on healthcare […]
Colorado House set to consider bill on ‘overdose prevention centers’
Colorado lawmakers are set to debate whether local governments should be able to sign off on sites where people can use drugs under medical supervision, a strategy that harm reduction experts say can reduce overdose deaths and connect people with resources. House Bill 23-1202 passed its first committee hearing Wednesday on an 8-3 vote after […]
Colorado bill to add labor protections for public workers advances in the Legislature
Public workers in Colorado who work in settings like school districts, hospitals and courts could soon receive labor protections afforded to private-sector workers under a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-111 would give public-sector workers the right to discuss workplace issues, organize or join an employee organization and participate in […]
Bipartisan Colorado car theft bill advances through state Senate committee
A bill that would make all car thefts in Colorado a felony-level crime passed through a state Senate committee amid questions of whether the policy would actually reduce crime or increase the number of solved cases. Senate Bill 23-97 won unanimous approval from the five-member Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. And though the bill focuses […]
Trump, ‘election integrity’ remain Colorado GOP focus as chairperson selection nears
If there is one thing the people vying to be the next leader of the Colorado Republican Party can generally agree on, it’s that the party is in need of a marketing and communications overhaul if they are to attract new voters into their fold and have a chance of reclaiming political power in the […]
Pregnant defendants could get alternatives to incarceration under Colorado bill
A bill recently introduced by Democratic lawmakers at the Colorado Legislature would require courts to consider alternatives for pregnant defendants in order to pursue the best outcome for the pregnant person and their child. House Bill 23-1187 suggests diverted sentences, deferred judgments or an unaccompanied furlough as possible alternatives to incarceration for pregnant defendants. “Pregnancy […]
Historic set of firearm regulation bills unveiled by Colorado Democrats
Colorado Democrats unveiled a highly-anticipated slate of bills Thursday that aim to curb gun violence in the state by restricting who can possess a firearm and when they can purchase one. “Our guiding principle while crafting these pieces of legislation has been very, very simple. What can we do right now that will save the […]