INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Senate Bills

SB21-012 Former Inmates With Fire Service Experience

The bill requires the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to increase awareness of wildland fire career opportunities for people who have gone through the inmate disaster relief program and encourages the division to hire these individuals. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-032 Mobile Veterans-support Unit Grant Program

This bill provides a grant for the creation of a mobile veterans-support unit to provide support to veterans in rural areas or experiencing homelessness. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-060 Expand Broadband Service

This bill requires that the Colorado Broadband Office contract with a nonprofit to develop a program to reimburse certain income-eligible households and households in critically unserved areas of the state for their costs to access broadband service. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-142 Health Care Access In Cases Of Rape or Incest

This bill changes medical requirements surrounding abortions and allows medically necessary services to be performed by a provider who is licensed by the state, acting within the scope of the provider's license and in accordance with applicable federal regulations. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-189 Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund Project

This bill appropriates funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) construction fund to the CWCB and the Division of Water Resources in the Department of Natural Resources for various projects. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-191 Residency Requirement Western Colorado University Board

This bill removes the residency requirements for student members to serve on the board of trustees for Western Colorado university. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-204 Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant Program Funding

This bill appropriates $5 million to the Department of Local Affairs for the Rural Economic Development Initiative and allows for the use of these funds for the Rural Economic Advancement of Colorado Towns (REACT) Act when a rural community needs assistance due to a significant economic or anticipated event. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-237 Create Forest Health Council In Department of Natural Resources

The act repeals the forest health advisory council and creates the Colorado forest health council within the division of forestry within the department of natural resources and specifies the new council's membership and duties. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-245 Backcountry Search and Rescue in Colorado

This bill requires the Division of Parks and Wildlife to conduct a study resulting in recommendations on backcountry search and rescue and outreach and training to backcountry search and rescue volunteers. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-248 Loan Program For Colorado Agriculture

This bill creates the Colorado agricultural future loan program in the Department of Agriculture to award farm-to-market infrastructure grants, prioritizing people who have owned or operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years or represent a population that is underserved or underrepresented in Colorado agriculture. Signed by the Governor.

SB21-249 Keep Colorado Wild Annual Pass

This bill creates the Keep Colorado Wild pass for entry into state parks and other participating public lands; a fee for the pass, set by the Parks and Wildlife Commission and used by the Division of Parks and Wildlife, will be assessed when registering a passenger vehicle, lightweight truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle unless the registrant declines it.

House Bills

HB21-1076 Carpooling Service Internet Application Register Colorado Department Of Transportation

This bill requires owners and operators of carpooling service internet applications to register with the Department of Transportation, to disclose to users of the application that the state does not regulate these services in any way, and to make the fee assessed to each user reasonable.

HB21-1119 Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention

This bill requires various sections of the state to create education and programs pertaining to comprehensive suicide prevention, including information on the after-affects of suicide attempts and suicide deaths and postvention training as well. Signed by the Governor. 

HB21-1226 More Robust Check Station Aquatic Nuisance Species

This bill strengthens the ability of the Division of Parks and Wildlife to check for aquatic nuisance species hitchhiking on boats by requiring all boats to be inspected and authorizing an investigation of how to make check stations more effective. Signed by the Governor. 

HB21-1232 Standardized Health Benefit Plan Colorado Option

This bill requires health care insurers to offer a new “standardized health benefit” that meets various requirements that lower costs to patients. Signed by the Governor. 

HB21-1233 Conservation Easement Tax Credit Modifications

This bill modifies the conservation tax credit by making it easier for the Division of Conservation to gain access to these funds, changing who is able to file for this credit, and adding restrictions to this donation process. Signed by the Governor. 

HB21-1242 Create Agricultural Drought And Climate Resilience Office

This bill creates the Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office to provide assistance, programs, and incentives to mitigate, prepare, and adapt to changes due to drought or changes to climate. Signed by the Governor. 

HB21-1243 Wolf Reintroduction Funding With No License Fees

This bill funds the program to reintroduce and manage gray wolf populations from sources other than hunting and fishing license fees. Signed by the Governor. 

HB21-1260 General Fund Transfer Implement State Water Plan

This bill allocates $20 million to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to implement the state water plan and establishes a minimum 25% matching fund requirement for the plan’s implementation grant program. 

HB21-1269 Public Utilities Commission Study Of Community Choice Energy

This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission to evaluate energy policy that would allow communities in Colorado who currently receive their electricity through investor-owned electric utilities be able to choose a different energy supplier. 

HB21-1307 Prescription Insulin Pricing And Access

This bill makes insulin more accessible to individuals who need it by requiring pharmacists to provide an emergency prescription of insulin under $35 to an individual once per year and creating the insulin affordability program which caps eligible individual’s insulin cost at $50 for a 30-day supply. 

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2020 EXTRAORDINARY LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

HB20B-1001 Grants to Improve Internet Access in P-12 Education

This bill creates the Connecting Colorado Students Grant Program to provide grants to local education providers to use in providing broadband service and other technology for increased internet access for students, educators, and other staff. Signed by the Governor.

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Senate Bills

SB20-002 Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant Program

This bill created the rural economic development initiative grant program to provide grants for projects that create new jobs through a new employer or the expansion of an existing employer and for projects that create diversity and resiliency in the local economies of rural communities. Signed by the Governor.

SB20-010 Repeal Ban on Local Government Regulation of Plastics

This bill would repeal language that prohibits local governments from banning the use or sale of specific types of plastic materials or restricting or mandating packaging or labeling of any consumer products.

SB20-024 Require Public Input on Water Demand Management Program

This bill would require the Colorado water conservation board and the water resources review committee to involve the public and provide opportunities for public comment before adopting any final or significantly amended water resources demand management.

SB20-048 Study Strengthening Water Anti-speculation Law

This bill requires the executive director of the department of natural resources to convene a work group to explore ways to strengthen existing water anti-speculation law and to report to the water resources review committee by August 2021. Signed by the Governor.

SB20-078 Dogs On Restaurant Patios

This bill authorized retail food establishments to allow patrons to bring a pet dog into an outdoor dining area. Local governments may still prohibit the presence of dogs at retail food establishments if they so choose. Signed by the Governor.

SB20-121 Manage Gray Wolves In Colorado

This bill would authorize the management and, if necessary, the reintroduction of the gray wolf in Colorado pursuant to a plan adopted by the parks and wildlife commission. Commercial livestock owners would be entitled to the payment of damages caused by gray wolves. The parks and wildlife commission would also provide educational programs to commercial livestock owners regarding the avoidance of potential damages caused by gray wolves.

SB20-122 Mobile Veteran Support Unit Grant Program

The bill would establish the mobile veteran support unit grant program to provide one-time grants to nonprofit organizations to establish mobile veteran support units. These units act as a point of contact for veterans to access health and well-being services, military benefit assistance, and housing assistance.

SB20-130 Backcountry Search and Rescue in Colorado

This bill would require the department of natural resources to conduct a study and develop recommendations on the issues related to backcountry search and rescue. The department would also be required to conduct outreach and training related to the physical and psychological support needs of backcountry search and rescue volunteers.

SB20-135 Conservation Easement Working Group Proposals

This bill would implement the recommendations of the working group that was formed to address issues concerning conservation easements in Colorado. These include modifying the method of calculating the amount of the state income tax credit that may be claimed for the donation of a conservation easement and requiring the state to provide compensation for certain taxpayers who were denied state income tax credits for conservation easements donated between 2000 and 2013.

SB20-154 Bring Own Wine Into Restaurants

The bill would require an establishment that holds a hotel and restaurant license to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises to allow a customer to bring one container, containing up to 750 milliliters of vinous liquor, into the premises where meals are served for the on-premises consumption by the customer or the customer and the customer's companions.

SB20-174 Change Management of State Convention Display Space

The bill would grant the management responsibility of certain display space in the Colorado convention center to the office of economic development instead of the department of personnel.

SB20-177 Hard Cider Definition

This bill would amend the definition of hard cider to increase the upper limit of alcohol by volume from 7.0% to 8.5% and the maximum amount of carbon dioxide per hundred milliliters from 0.392 grams to 0.64 grams.

SB20-200 Implementation of CO Colorado Secure Savings Program

In accordance with the secure state savings board’s recommendation of a state-facilitated automatic enrollment individual retirement account program, this bill directed the board to create and implement such a program. Signed by the Governor.

SB20-201 Species Conservation Trust Fund Projects
The bill appropriates $1.5 million from the species conservation trust fund for programs that are designed to conserve native species that state or federal law lists as threatened or endangered, that are candidate species, or that are likely to become candidate species as determined by the United States fish and wildlife service. Signed by the Governor.

SB20-215 Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise

The bill established the health insurance affordability enterprise that is authorized to assess a health insurance affordability fee on certain health insurers and a special assessment on hospitals. Money collected from the insurer fee and hospital assessment is to be deposited in the health insurance affordability cash fund. Money in this fund provides funding for Colorado’s reinsurance program, provides payments to carriers to increase the affordability of health insurance on the individual market, and provides subsidies for state-subsidized individual health coverage plans purchased by qualified low-income individuals.

House Bills

HB20-1421 Delinquent Interest Payments Property Tax

This bill allows, upon approval of the county treasurer, a board of county commissioners or a city council of a city and county to temporarily reduce, waive, or suspend delinquent interest payments for property tax payments. Signed by the Governor. 

HB20-1413 Small Business Recovery Loan Program Premium Tax Credits

This bill established a state and private investor funded small business recovery loan program, to assist in the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Signed by the Governor.

HB20-1403 Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund Project

Concerning the funding of Colorado water conservation board projects. Signed by the Governor. 

HB20-1349 Colorado Affordable Health Care Option

This bill sought to create the Colorado option plan to be implemented by executive agencies in order to create more affordable health benefit plans for health care consumers in this state.

HB20-1343 Egg-Laying Hen Confinement Standards

Concerning confinement standards for egg-laying hens whose eggs are sold. Signed by the Governor. 

HB20-1338 Operational Severance Tax Transfer to Agriculture Value-added

This bill sought the transfer of money from the severance tax operational fund to the agriculture value-added cash fund to be used to promote agricultural energy-related projects.

HB20-1315 Carpooling Service Internet Application Register Colorado Department of Transportation

This bill sought a requirement that carpooling service internet application owners register with the department of transportation.

HB20-1240 Early College Program and P-tech School Expansion

This bill sought to expand opportunities for high school students to enroll in postsecondary courses and create the early college policy development advisory group.

HB20-1208 Sunset Coal Mine Board of Examiners

This bill extends the Board until 2029 and updates outdated language. Signed by the governor.

HB20-1184 Sunset Colorado Seed Act

This bill extends the Colorado Seed Act till 2031. Makes adjustments to registration fee setup. Singed by the Governor.

HB20-1160 Drug Price Transparency Insurance Premium Reductions

This bill sought to reduce drug prices by requiring increased transparency surrounding the cost of prescription drugs. As well as requiring insurance to reduce their premiums based on the reimbursement they receive for drugs. 

HB20-1159 State Engineer Confirm Existing Use Instream Flow

Directs the State Engineer to assess existing use or exchange of an instream flow that has not been previously confirmed by court order or decree. Signed by the Governor.

HB20-1157 Loaned Water for Instream Flows to Improve Environment

This bill expands the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s ability to use loaned water for environmental protection purposes. Signed by the Governor.

HB20-1137 Broadband Grant Certification of Unserved Area Requirement

Allows applicants to submit to the Broadband Deployment Board certification from their local jurisdiction that their area is unserved in regards to broadband. Signed by the Governor.

HB20-1110 Higher Education Student Emergency Assistance Grants

This bill sought to create the Emergency Completion and Retention Grant Program within the Department of Higher Education. This program would provide financial assistance to students experiencing qualifying financial emergencies.

HB20-1093 County Authority License and Regulate Business

The act grants a board of county commissioners the authority to license and regulate an owner or owner's agent who rents or advertises the owner's lodging unit for a short-term stay, and to fix the fees, terms, and manner for issuing and revoking licenses issued therefor. Signed by the Governor.

HB20-1092 Reimbursement to Federally Qualified Health Centers

The bill sought to require the department of health care policy and financing to reimburse federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for telemedicine services and clinical pharmacy services provided to Medicaid recipients. 

HB20-1087 Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Statutes Cleanup

This bill updates various provisions relating to the enforcement of Parks & Wildlife statutes. Signed by the Governor. 

HB20-1071 Driving Instruction for Foster Children

This bill sought to create a fund to assist children in foster care in receiving driving instruction in order to get a license. 

HB20-1017 Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Criminal Justice Systems

This bill implements a set of changes to the criminal justice system to better address and care for individuals who struggle with substance abuse. Signed by the Governor. 

HB20-1010 Colorado Accurate Residence for Redistricting Act

This bill establishes census counting guidelines regarding inmates for use in redistricting. Signed by the Governor.

HB20-1003 Rural Jump-start Zone Act Modifications

Extends and modifies the Rural Jump-start Zone Act. Signed by the Governor. 

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Senate Bills

SB19-221 CO Water Conservation Board Construction Fund Project

This bill appropriates money from the Colorado Water Conservation Board construction fund to the board or division of water resources for specific state water programs and projects. Signed by the Governor.  

SB19-186 Expand Agricultural Chemical Management Program Protect Surface Water

The Commissioner of Agriculture is responsible for the management of agricultural chemicals and must consider the protection of groundwater and adopt rules to protect water. This bill widened the scope of the Commissioner’s management and tasked the Commissioner with agricultural management plans to protect state waters, including surface and subsurface water. Signed by the Governor.  

SB19-173 Colorado Secure Savings Plan Board

This bill created the Colorado Secured Savings Plan Board and the guidelines for the board composition. The board is tasked with studying the feasibility of creating a secured savings retirement plan for people working in the private sector. Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-159 Sunset Passenger Tramway Safety Board

Concerning the continuation of the passenger tramway safety board, and, in connection therewith, implementing some of the recommendations contained in the 2018 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies. Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-150 Sunset Public Livestock Markets

Concerning the continuation of the regulation of public livestock markets, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations contained in the 2018 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies. Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-142 Hard Cider Exemption Wine Industry Development Act

This bill removed hard cider from the definition of “wine”, which exempts produce used to make hard cider from the Colorado Wine Industry Development Fund. The bill exempts hard cider from the definition for the “Colorado Wine Industry Development Act.” Signed by the Governor . 

SB19-141 Entertainment Districts Counties Optional Premises

This bill defines what makes an “entertainment district” and adds optional premises as a permitted license to attach to an entertainment district. Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-107 Broadband Infrastructure Installation

This bill defines terms like electric utility and commercial broadband supplier and details the installation of broadband internet infrastructure and authorization to own and operate broadband facilities. Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-096 Collect Long-term Climate Change Data

This bill requires that all greenhouse gas-emitting entities are included in the Air Quality Control Commission's report and future forecast for emissions.  Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-078 Open Internet Customer Protections In Colorado

This bill protects the open internet for internet users in Colorado. As defined in the bill, any internet service provider that receives grant money from the broadband deployment board from the state to establish broadband infrastructure cannot block internet content or services, throttle network bandwidth, promote paid prioritization of content, or hide or withhold information regarding network management practices. Internet service providers that engage in interference with the open internet cannot qualify for funding from the state. Signed by the Governor. 

SB19-075 Display Original Colorado Constitution In Capitol

This bill tasks the State Archivist with developing a plan, approved by the Capitol Building Advisory Committee and Capitol Development Committee, to permanently display the Colorado Constitution in the State Capitol Building. The maintenance and protection of the display and constitution would be up to the state archives.  

SB19-016 Severance Tax Operational Fund Distribution Methodology

This bill makes changes to the distribution of money in the severance tax operational fund and defines programs that are funded to manage transfers to those programs. Signed by the Governor.  

SB19-004 Address High-cost Health Insurance Pilot Program

This bill was passed to address the high costs of health insurance in Colorado. The bill authorizes health care cooperatives to incorporate consumer protection and health care cost negotiations to control costs. The Commissioner of Insurance can apply for a federal waiver as necessary to implement. Signed by the Governor. 

House Bills

HB19-1327 Authorize And Tax Sports Betting Refer Under Taxpayers' Bill Of Rights

HB19-1327 decriminalizes sports betting in Colorado, starting on May 1, 2020 and outlines the conditions of sports betting in Colorado, including a requirement that voters vote on the matter in November, 2019. The ballot measure passed. The bill details the entities that can apply for a sports betting license, as well as the tax on sports betting, which will be put towards the Colorado Water Plan. Signed by the Governor.  

HB19-1314 Just Transition From Coal-based Electrical Energy Economy

This bill created the Just Transition Office and advisory committee which is tasked with creating a draft of a transition plan to be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly. The proposal will include consideration of the benefits to coal workers and their families to help them access retraining opportunities, grants available for transition from coal, and sources of funding. The office and committee is created in the Department of Labor and Employment. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1299 Local Government Retirement Plan Contribution Rates

For local governments, including counties and municipalities,  with a retirement plan for elected or appointed positions, this bill modifies the contribution rate of participants to 3% of the salary or wages and permits participants and the local government to maintain different contribution rates. Signed by the Governor 

HB19-1296 Prescription Drug Cost Reduction Measures

This bill reduces prescription drug costs and creates the "Colorado Prescription Drug Cost Reduction Act of 2019" to require health insurers, prescription drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit management firms, and nonprofit organizations to report specified information about the costs of prescription drugs to the commissioner of insurance. The bill further directs the commissioner to analyze the information and submit a report regarding the effects of prescription drug costs on health insurance premiums. Additionally, the bill precludes pharmacy benefit management firms from retroactively reducing payments to pharmacies and requires carriers to reduce consumer cost sharing for prescription drugs to reflect rebates the carrier or pharmacy benefit management firm received.

HB19-1282 Court-appointed Special Advocate Program Oversight

This bill relocates provisions of the statewide oversight of court appointed special advocate (CASA) programs and requires that the child’s representative is required to enter an agreement with a nonprofit entity to improve the CASA program in Colorado. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1264 Conservation Easement Tax Credit Modifications

This bill extends the repeal dates for the conservation easement oversight committee and easement holders to expire on July 1, 2026. Furthermore, the act adjusts and modifies requirements and restrictions of conservation easements in Colorado.   Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1259 Species Conservation Trust Fund Projects

Making an appropriation, this bill funds the Species Conservation Trust Fund to protect species that are threatened or endangered federally or in the state. Signed by the Governor 

HB19-1247 Study Agricultural Applications For Blockchain

This bill creates an advisory group, convened by the Commissioner of Agriculture, to investigate applications for blockchain technology in agricultural operations. Findings from this advisory group must be presented to the General Assembly along with recommendations for legislation. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1218 Loaned Water For Instream Flows To Improve Environment

This bill expanded and improved the instream flow loan program by extending the loan period to up to a 10 year period and by widening the board's ability to use loaned water. 

HB19-1216 Reduce Insulin Prices

This bill mandates that individuals covered with cost sharing are required to pay no more than $100 per 30-day supply of insulin and directs the Department of Law to investigate and report on prescription insulin costs. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1207 Winter Conditions And Traction Control Requirements

This bill amends and updates the traction-control statute to require specific equipment usage during a winter storm by mandating updated equipment options, setting a minimum standard for tires, and requiring traction equipment be carried between milepost 133 and milepost 259 on I-70 from September 1 to May 31. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1191 Allow Farm Stands On Any Size Principal Use Site

This bill defines “farm stand” as a structure used for the sale of agricultural products produced from agricultural operations on the principal use site where the farm stand is located. The farm stand can operate on any size of land and does not require zoning and approval by local governments, for the farm stand specifically though local governments can require permits for other applicable laws.  Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1178 Name Simplification Of Western State Colorado University

HB19-1178 changed the name of Western State Colorado University to Western Colorado University. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1168 State Innovation Waiver Reinsurance Program

This bill creates a two-year reinsurance program in the state of Colorado to assist health insurers in paying high-cost insurance claims. The bill requires that the Commissioner of Insurance apply to the federal Department of Health and Human Services for a state innovation waiver and/or federal funding to implement the program and without the waiver or funding, the program cannot proceed. The Commissioner of Insurance is authorized to establish payment parameters and assess fees and circumstances of health insurers and consumers. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1165 On-site Wind Turbine Manufacturing Property Tax Exemption

This bill would create an exemption from property tax for business personal property used to contribute to wind turbine production.  

HB19-1153 Colorado Mountain College And Direct Grants Annexation

This bill made changes to the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) mission and granted permission for CMC to authorize more baccalaureate degree programs in adjacent localities with the cooperation of regional education providers. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1113 Protect Water Quality Adverse Mining Impacts

This bill requires that mining operations and reclamation of mining plans demonstrate an end date for water quality treatment to ensure compliance with water quality standards. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1088 Modify Income Tax Credit Health Care Preceptors

This bill defined “preceptorship” as it relates to income tax credits for health care preceptors. In addition, the bill modified the existing income tax credit and clarified eligibility for the tax credit. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1076 Clean Indoor Air Act Add E-cigarettes Remove Exceptions

This bill relied on results of study on “electronic smoking devices” (ESD) and the effect of their emissions on human health to add ESD as a definition included within the scope of the “Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act.” Along with defining ESD, the bill also removes certain exceptions for electronic smoking devices and adds relevant provisions. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1040 Professional Land Surveyors Continuing Education

This bill would establish requirements for continuing education for professional land surveyors to be adopted by the State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. 

HB19-1037 Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act

Concerning energy asset management, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the issuance of low-cost ratepayer-backed bonds and creating the Colorado energy impact assistance authority to mitigate the impacts of power plant retirements on Colorado workers and communities.

HB19-1026 Parks And Wildlife Violations Of Law

This bill considers the fines for violating laws under the jurisdiction of the Division of Parks and Wildlife and changes the amount of particular fines and modifies disposition of money collected from fines. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1004 Proposal For Affordable Health Coverage Option

This bill mandated that the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) along with the Division of Insurance (DOI) draft a proposal to be submitted to the General Assembly regarding the feasibility in terms of costs, implementation, and benefits of a state option health care. The bill details the requirements of the proposal and outlines the request to HCPF and DOI, along with making an appropriation to accomplish this proposal. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1327 Authorize And Tax Sports Betting Refer Under Taxpayers' Bill Of Rights

HB19-1327 decriminalizes sports betting in Colorado, starting on May 1, 2020 and outlines the conditions of sports betting in Colorado, including a requirement that voters vote on the matter in November, 2019. The ballot measure passed. The bill details the entities that can apply for a sports betting license, as well as the tax on sports betting, which will be put towards the Colorado Water Plan. Signed by the Governor.  

HB19-1314 Just Transition From Coal-based Electrical Energy Economy

This bill created the Just Transition Office and advisory committee which is tasked with creating a draft of a transition plan to be submitted to the Governor and General Assembly. The proposal will include consideration of the benefits to coal workers and their families to help them access retraining opportunities, grants available for transition from coal, and sources of funding. The office and committee is created in the Department of Labor and Employment. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1299 Local Government Retirement Plan Contribution Rates

For local governments, including counties and municipalities,  with a retirement plan for elected or appointed positions, this bill modifies the contribution rate of participants to 3% of the salary or wages and permits participants and the local government to maintain different contribution rates. Signed by the Governor 

HB19-1296 Prescription Drug Cost Reduction Measures

This bill reduces prescription drug costs and creates the "Colorado Prescription Drug Cost Reduction Act of 2019" to require health insurers, prescription drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefit management firms, and nonprofit organizations to report specified information about the costs of prescription drugs to the commissioner of insurance. The bill further directs the commissioner to analyze the information and submit a report regarding the effects of prescription drug costs on health insurance premiums. Additionally, the bill precludes pharmacy benefit management firms from retroactively reducing payments to pharmacies and requires carriers to reduce consumer cost sharing for prescription drugs to reflect rebates the carrier or pharmacy benefit management firm received.

HB19-1282 Court-appointed Special Advocate Program Oversight

This bill relocates provisions of the statewide oversight of court appointed special advocate (CASA) programs and requires that the child’s representative is required to enter an agreement with a nonprofit entity to improve the CASA program in Colorado. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1264 Conservation Easement Tax Credit Modifications

This bill extends the repeal dates for the conservation easement oversight committee and easement holders to expire on July 1, 2026. Furthermore, the act adjusts and modifies requirements and restrictions of conservation easements in Colorado.   Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1259 Species Conservation Trust Fund Projects

Making an appropriation, this bill funds the Species Conservation Trust Fund to protect species that are threatened or endangered federally or in the state. Signed by the Governor 

HB19-1247 Study Agricultural Applications For Blockchain

This bill creates an advisory group, convened by the Commissioner of Agriculture, to investigate applications for blockchain technology in agricultural operations. Findings from this advisory group must be presented to the General Assembly along with recommendations for legislation. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1218 Loaned Water For Instream Flows To Improve Environment

This bill expanded and improved the instream flow loan program by extending the loan period to up to a 10 year period and by widening the board's ability to use loaned water. 

HB19-1216 Reduce Insulin Prices

This bill mandates that individuals covered with cost sharing are required to pay no more than $100 per 30-day supply of insulin and directs the Department of Law to investigate and report on prescription insulin costs. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1207 Winter Conditions And Traction Control Requirements

This bill amends and updates the traction-control statute to require specific equipment usage during a winter storm by mandating updated equipment options, setting a minimum standard for tires, and requiring traction equipment be carried between milepost 133 and milepost 259 on I-70 from September 1 to May 31. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1191 Allow Farm Stands On Any Size Principal Use Site

This bill defines “farm stand” as a structure used for the sale of agricultural products produced from agricultural operations on the principal use site where the farm stand is located. The farm stand can operate on any size of land and does not require zoning and approval by local governments, for the farm stand specifically though local governments can require permits for other applicable laws.  Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1178 Name Simplification Of Western State Colorado University

HB19-1178 changed the name of Western State Colorado University to Western Colorado University. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1168 State Innovation Waiver Reinsurance Program

This bill creates a two-year reinsurance program in the state of Colorado to assist health insurers in paying high-cost insurance claims. The bill requires that the Commissioner of Insurance apply to the federal Department of Health and Human Services for a state innovation waiver and/or federal funding to implement the program and without the waiver or funding, the program cannot proceed. The Commissioner of Insurance is authorized to establish payment parameters and assess fees and circumstances of health insurers and consumers. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1165 On-site Wind Turbine Manufacturing Property Tax Exemption

This bill would create an exemption from property tax for business personal property used to contribute to wind turbine production.  

HB19-1153 Colorado Mountain College And Direct Grants Annexation

This bill made changes to the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) mission and granted permission for CMC to authorize more baccalaureate degree programs in adjacent localities with the cooperation of regional education providers. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1113 Protect Water Quality Adverse Mining Impacts

This bill requires that mining operations and reclamation of mining plans demonstrate an end date for water quality treatment to ensure compliance with water quality standards. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1088 Modify Income Tax Credit Health Care Preceptors

This bill defined “preceptorship” as it relates to income tax credits for health care preceptors. In addition, the bill modified the existing income tax credit and clarified eligibility for the tax credit. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1076 Clean Indoor Air Act Add E-cigarettes Remove Exceptions

This bill relied on results of study on “electronic smoking devices” (ESD) and the effect of their emissions on human health to add ESD as a definition included within the scope of the “Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act.” Along with defining ESD, the bill also removes certain exceptions for electronic smoking devices and adds relevant provisions. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1040 Professional Land Surveyors Continuing Education

This bill would establish requirements for continuing education for professional land surveyors to be adopted by the State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. 

HB19-1037 Colorado Energy Impact Assistance Act

Concerning energy asset management, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the issuance of low-cost ratepayer-backed bonds and creating the Colorado energy impact assistance authority to mitigate the impacts of power plant retirements on Colorado workers and communities.

HB19-1026 Parks And Wildlife Violations Of Law

This bill considers the fines for violating laws under the jurisdiction of the Division of Parks and Wildlife and changes the amount of particular fines and modifies disposition of money collected from fines. Signed by the Governor. 

HB19-1004 Proposal For Affordable Health Coverage Option

This bill mandated that the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) along with the Division of Insurance (DOI) draft a proposal to be submitted to the General Assembly regarding the feasibility in terms of costs, implementation, and benefits of a state option health care. The bill details the requirements of the proposal and outlines the request to HCPF and DOI, along with making an appropriation to accomplish this proposal. Signed by the Governor. 

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

House Bills

HB18-1384 Study Health Care Coverage Options

This bill will require that the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, along with the Division of Insurance, to study the costs and benefits to health care coverage like Medicaid buy-in options, public-private partnerships, or a community or regionally based option. The departments will be required to prepare a report that details the advantages and disadvantages of these options as a result of the findings of the study. 

HB18-1378 Equal Pay For Equal Work Act

Under this bill, the Director of the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics would administer and enforce a law prohibiting discrimination against employees on the basis of sex. Employers discriminating against employees on the basis of sex will be penalized for violating the law. Exceptions allowed in the bill permit the employer to demonstrate that the wage differential is based on factors like seniority, merit, or earnings measured by quantity or quality, and not sex. 

HB18-1377 Prohibit Seeking Salary Information Job Applicant

This bill would prohibit an employer to seek compensation history about an applicant unless applicant agrees to discuss wage history or the employer notifies applicant of the wage offered for the employment opening. Compensation history includes benefits, salaries and wages.

HB18-1366 Allow Local College District To Sell Or Lease Property

This bill allows local college districts to lease or sell district property, regardless of the foreseeable future needs of the property. 

HB18-1312 Open Internet Customer Protections In Colorado

This bill will disqualify an internet service provider from funding from support mechanisms if they engage in any act or practice that interferes with the open internet. These unlawful practices include blocking internet content or services unless those services are inconsistent with network management practices; permitting paid prioritization of content; network bandwidth regulation that impairs lawful internet traffic; lack of transparency on network management practices. The bill also includes provisions for monitoring internet service providers and allows consumers to file complaints against service providers. 

HB18-1301 Protect Water Quality Adverse Mining Impacts

This bill protects water quality in mining reclamation operations by requiring that reclamation plans demonstrate an end date for water treatment operations. Additionally, this bill will eliminate self-bonding for reclamation and asserts that reclamation bonds include finances sufficient to protect water quality and cover costs of necessary treatments.

HB18-1298 Colorado Secure Savings Plan

This bill would establish the Colorado Secure Savings Plan Board of Trustees to research avenues to increase retirement savings for Colorado, including a Colorado secured savings plan. The bill outlines the creation of the board and details the assessments required to be analyzed by the board. 

HB18-1297 Climate Change Preparedness And Resiliency

This bill addresses a plan to combat climate change and greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado by adopting specific reduction goals and requiring the Colorado Resiliency and Recovery Office to collect and analyze data, create models for future projections, update resiliency framework, and develop tools to support climate resiliency. 

HB18-1209 No 529 Account Income Tax Deduction For K-12 Kindergarten Through Twelfth Expenses

This bill amends Colorado law in response to the federal ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’ and clarifies that expenses from a 529 account for elementary or secondary school are not qualified distributions and cannot be claimed as a deduction.

HB18-1205 Financial Relief Defray Individual Health Plan Costs

This bill addresses the high cost of health insurance premiums for families and individuals that live in the geographic locations with the most costly insurance in the state and who spend more than 20% of their household income on health insurance. The bill creates a relief program to provide financial assistance for those who qualify. The bill outlines eligibility along with other details and the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange is appointed with oversight of the program. 

HB18-1198 Best Practices For State Boards And Commissions

This bill establishes the best practices for the process of boards and commissions created in the state government and require specific policy, bylaws and trainings for specific issues under each state agency. 

HB18-1053 Reclaimed Water Use For Marijuana Cultivation

This bill allows for the Water Quality Control commission to establish new categories of water standards and re-categorize use of reclaimed domestic wastewater to a less stringent water quality standard. Marijuana cultivation is added to the list of uses for reclaimed domestic wastewater. The Water Quality Control Division can develop policy and management practices for reclaimed wastewater, with the input of public stakeholders. 

HB18-1038 Land Surveyors Continuing Education Requirement

“The bill requires the state board of licensure for architects, professional engineers, and professional land surveyors to adopt rules establishing a continuing education requirement to maintain the competency of professional land surveyors.”

HB18-1009 Diabetes Drug Pricing Transparency Act 2018

The bill would have created the ‘Diabetes Drug Pricing Transparency Act of 2018’. This would require all drug manufacturers, pharmacy benefits managers, insurers, and pharmacies to report to the State Board of Health data on prescription insulin drugs used for patients with diabetes. The State Board of Health is required to analyze data and create a report on those findings, along with penalizing manufacturers who do not comply with reporting. 

HB18-1008 Mussel-free Colorado Act

This bill creates the aquatic nuisance species stamp for the operation of motorboats and sailboats in state waters. Additionally, it increases penalties for introducing aquatic nuisance species into waters and merges of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Aquatic Nuisance Species Fund and the Division of Wildlife Aquatic Nuisance Species Fund into one single fund. 

HB18-1001 FAMLI Family Medical Leave Insurance Program

This bill would create the family medical leave insurance (FAMLI) program. Eligible individuals will be able to take leave from work to care for themselves, family members with health concerns or a new addition to the family. This program will be created in the Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance in the Department of Labor and Employment. 

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Senate Bills

SB17-022 Rural Economic Advancement Of Colorado Towns

This bill would help coordinate economic assistance for rural communities experiencing certain significant economic events that have led to substantial job loss in those communities, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the department of local affairs to coordinate non-monetary assistance and award grant money to assist rural communities with job creation or retention.

SB17-042 Repeal Local Government Internet Service Voter Approval

This bill would expedite rural broadband deployment by repealing current restrictions on the ability of a local government to provide certain electronic communications services.

SB17-081 Rural Broadband Deployment

This bill would allow for a transfer of funds in order to construct broadband infrastructure in rural Colorado.

SB17-104 Catastrophic Plans In Geographic Rating Areas

This bill would require a health insurance carrier to offer a catastrophic plan in certain geographic rating areas.

SB17-109 Industrial Hemp Animal Feed

This bill would form a group to study the use of industrial hemp in products designed for consumption.

House Bills

HB17-1219 Extend Colorado Water Conservation Board Fallowing And Leasing Pilot Program

This bill would add and extension of the agricultural water leasing pilot program administered by the Colorado water conservation board.

HB17-1322 Domestic Violence Reports By Medical Professionals

This bill would create an exception to the requirement that certain medical professionals report to law enforcement concerning injuries resulting from domestic violence.

HB17-1250 Renew And Expand Tax Check-off To Benefit Wildlife

This bill would renew and expand a tax check off to benefit wildlife.

HB17-1258 Renaming Delta-Montrose Technical College

This bill would rename Delta-Montrose technical college to technical college of the Rockies.

HB17-1269 Repeal Prohibition Of Wage Sharing Information

This bill would prohibit employers from seeking salary history of a job applicant while including exemptions for employers offering salary range positions.

HB17-1322 Domestic Violence Reports By Medical Professionals

This bill would provide an exception to the requirement that certain medical professionals report to law enforcement concerning injuries resulting from domestic violence.

INTRODUCED LEGISLATION DURING THE 2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Senate Bills

SB16-021 Public Lands Day

This bill designates the third Saturday of May as “Public Lands Day” to recognize the significant contributions that national public lands within Colorado make to wildlife, recreation, the economy and to the quality of life for the citizens of Colorado.

SB16-068 Fluorescent Pink Hunting Attire

This bill allows hunters in Colorado to wear fluorescent pink hunting garments along with the currently required “blaze orange” hunting wear.

SB16-081 Rural Economic Emergency Assistance Grant Program

This bill would create a needed emergency assistance program to rural economies which are struggling due to job losses.

SB16-145 Colorado River District Subdistrict Formation

This bill would create an updated mechanism for creating a subdistrict of the Colorado river water conservation district.

SB16-136 Broadband Deployment

This bill would allow for new businesses to enter rural communities, schools to have the same capabilities as urban areas and hospitals to meet ACA requirements.

House Bills

HB16-1030 Off-highway Vehicles Regulation & Local Government

This bill would give control to local authorities by allowing local governments to require drivers’ licenses and liability insurance for Off-Highway Vehicles.

HB16-1039 Interstate 70 Motor Vehicle Traction Equipment

This bill would enable state patrol to require all-weather tires or chains in adverse winter conditions.

HB16-1067 Regional Transportation Authority Mill Levy

This bill would allow local governments to approve funding for transportation in their communities.

HB16-1083 Western State Colorado University Role And Mission

This bill would modify the admission standards for Western State Colorado University and creates a broader degree program.

HB16-1109 Application Of State Water Law To Federal Agencies

This bill clarifies that federal water rights need to adhere to state laws.

HB16-1156 Extend Pay Transparency Protection All Employees

This bill would provide protection from discrimination against employees for sharing individual wage information.

HB16-1166 Prohibit Seeking Salary History For Job Applicants

This bill would prohibit employers from seeking salary history of a job applicant while including exemptions for employers offering salary range positions.

HB16-1167 Colorado Family First Employer Act

This bill would create a program that designates Colorado employers that meet certain family-friendly criteria as Colorado “Family First” Employers.

HB16-1228 Ag Protection Water Right Transfer Mechanism

This bill would allow for an owner of an agricultural water right to seek a change-in-use decree in water court to allow the transfer of up to 50% of the water subject to the water right to any beneficial use for renewable one-year periods.

HB16-1259 Changes To Local District College Statutes

This bill expands participation on boards for local district colleges and drops the term “junior” from the existing name “local district junior college”.

HB16-1275 Taxation Of Corp Income Sheltered In Tax Haven

This bill would close off-shore tax loopholes of corporations to aid in funding education.

HB16-1276 Conduct Emergency Responses At Legacy Mining Sites

The bill would authorize use of the emergency response cash fund to conduct emergency responses when circumstances at a legacy mine site create danger to public health, welfare or the environment.

HB16-1292 Income Tax Credit For Sandwich Generation

The bill creates a refundable income tax credit for middle-and low-income taxpayers who claim exemptions for dependents (children and qualifying elderly relatives) on their federal income tax.

HB16-1322 Health Coverage Prescription Contraceptives Supply

This bill requires that health benefit plans cover the full year prescribed.

HB16-1336 Study Single Geographic Area Individual Health Plans

The bill studies the impacts and viability of creating a single geographic rating area, consisting of the entire state, for purposes of determining premium rates for individual health benefit plans. This is in response to the rising cost of health care in the mountain regions of SD5.

HB16-1403 Colorado Secure Savings Plan

This bill would establish the Colorado secure savings plan for private-sector employees in the form of automatic payroll deductions for retirement plans.

HB16-1313 Auth Local Gov Master Plan Include Water Plan Goal

This bill would have given local governments the authority to implement water plan goals that work for their community.

HB16-1300 Mail Ballot Return Options Requirements & Procedures

This bill would have increased the number of ballot drop-box locations throughout the state and also allow for ballots to be returned without postage.

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED DURING THE 2015 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Senate Bills

SB15-036 Rural Economic Emergency Grant Program

This bill would create a grant program designed to react and quickly provide relief when economic emergencies affect rural communities, ensuring those residents can remain within those communities.

SB15-054 Fifth-Day Free and Reduced Lunch for Students in Schools on Four-Day/Week Schedule

This bill would ensure that students receive a healthy boxed lunch for the fifth day of the week that they are not in school.

SB15-063 Alternative Energy for Schools

SB15-063 would create a grant program designed to allow public schools and community colleges to build renewable energy projects to educate students and provide energy for the schools. This is an expansion of the Wind for Schools program.

SB15-138 ASCENT Program Funding Fix

ASCENT is a highly successful program that allows for high school students to attend a 5th year of high school while concurrently enrolling in their local community college and earning college credit. SB15-138 would fix the funding schedule for the program, allowing ASCENT funds to be used at any time during the school year and making the program work for students. This bill passed unanimously in the Senate.

House Bills

HB15-1102 Cottage Foods Act Expansion

This bill would expand the Cottage Food Act to allow individuals to sell a greater range of homemade products including fruit empanadas, tortillas, and flour.

HB15-1177 Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant Program

This bill would extend the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Grant Program and help distressed rural counties recover from economic hardship.

HB15-1225 Federal Land Coordination

This bill would provide technical and financial support to local governments that are affected by Federal land management agencies, encouraging more effective cooperation between municipalities, counties, State and Federal agencies.

HB15-1271 Mobile Learning Labs

This would open a funding source for mobile learning labs, mobile classrooms that will allow more Coloradans to gain the workforce skills needed for success.

HB15-1321 Flexibility & Funding For Rural School Districts

This bill would provide funding to help these school districts with technology improvements and capital expenses.