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Right-to-repair bill for farming equipment advances out of Colorado House
Colorado farmers may soon have the ability to repair their high-tech equipment without needing scarce, expensive dealership technicians under a new bill on its way to the state Senate. House Bill 23-1011 would require manufacturers of equipment like tractors and combine harvesters to sell the tools, parts and digital information to farmers and independent shops […]
Largest Black caucus in Colorado history goes to work at the Capitol
When state Sen. Rhonda Fields began her first term as a representative in the Colorado General Assembly in 2011, she was one of two Black lawmakers, alongside Angela Williams. Now, more than a decade later, she is part of the largest Black Democratic Legislative Caucus in Colorado history, with 11 members. “Now I have people […]
Colorado towns would be first in line to buy properties for affordable housing under new bill
Local governments in Colorado would gain the ability to purchase multifamily properties before private bidders as long as they commit to use them for affordable housing under a recently introduced bill in the state Legislature. Supporters say that by giving cities and counties the “right of first refusal” for buildings when they go up for […]
Supporters of El Paso County ranchers Courtney and Nicole Mallery rally at state Capitol
Supporters of a Black family who say they have been victim to racial harassment at their El Paso County ranch and discrimination from local law enforcement gathered for a rally at the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Friday demanding a resolution to the conflict. “I just want to farm in peace,” Courtney “CW” Mallery told […]
Rent control bill clears Colorado House committee
A bill to lift the state preemption on local governments’ power to impose rent stabilization measures made it through its first committee on Wednesday after over eight hours of testimony from more than 100 witnesses. House Bill 23-1115 won approval on an 8-5 vote in the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government committee. Democratic Rep. […]
More medical-debt consumer protections proposed by Colorado Democrats
Nine months after Sharon Cravitz underwent a double mastectomy as part of her breast cancer treatment, she received a bill for $2,000 from a company she did not recognize. When she called the provider, they told her to file a complaint with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs to pressure her insurance company to pay […]
Counties could further regulate where people can shoot guns under Colorado bill
The Colorado House of Representatives debated a bill Monday that would let counties prohibit people from firing weapons in certain unincorporated areas, with lengthy opposition from Republicans over Second Amendment rights. “Many communities in unincorporated parts of the county have an activity going on that is unsafe for the residents,” bill sponsor Rep. Judy Amabile, […]
Colorado bill would help adjunct professors qualify for federal student loan forgiveness
Adjunct professors in Colorado could soon become eligible for a federal student loan forgiveness program, in recognition that their workload often exceeds their recorded instruction hours. Senate Bill 23-84 would add a multiplier to the hours worked by adjunct professors — instructors who do not work full time for a school — so they can […]
Democrats plan to introduce bill that would allow Colorado gun violence victims to sue firearm companies
Colorado Democratic lawmakers are planning to bring forward a bill that would make it easier for victims of gun violence to hold firearm manufacturers liable in court. State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis said she will introduce legislation this session to repeal the state’s industry immunity policy that protects gun sellers and manufacturers from most lawsuits […]
Gun rights-expansion bills defeated in Colorado House committee
Two Republican-led bills in the Colorado House that attempted to skirt enforcement of federal laws and expand firearm rights were defeated in committee on Monday. “Across the country, sheriffs, prosecutors, and police chiefs have raised concerns that this type of legislation will make it harder for them to protect their communities,” Democratic Rep. Andrew Boesenecker […]
Colorado bill to cap copay of EpiPens advances with unanimous committee vote
A bill to cap the cost of epinephrine auto-injectors for people with severe food allergies passed through a House committee in the Colorado Legislature on Friday, and lawmakers say it has the potential to save people thousands of dollars a year. House Bill 23-1002 would limit the copay for epinephrine auto-injectors, often known as EpiPens, […]
Family planning services among priorities Colorado budget writers hear from public
As the Joint Budget Committee at the Colorado Legislature considers how it will craft the next fiscal year’s budget, reproductive rights advocates want additional funding for family planning services in the state. The advocates want an additional $2 million for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Family Planning Program as the state faces […]