house bill
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Snyder bill seeks to incentivize wildfire-resilient homes | FOCUS ON THE SPRINGS
Marc Snyder was mayor of Manitou Springs when the Waldo Canyon fire devastated the city, killing two people, destroying 346 homes and becoming the most destructive wildfire in state history at the time. Since the 2012 fire, Colorado wildfires have only become more common and more catastrophic. In the last three years, the state has endured…
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Colorado Democrats OK substance abuse intervention for middle, high schools
A proposal from Colorado teenagers to offer substance abuse intervention guidelines to schools passed its final vote in the state legislature Friday. If signed into law, House Bill 1009 would create a committee tasked with developing best practices for middle and high schools to identify students who need substance use treatment, offer intervention and refer the students…
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Colorado House moves to require mediation before eviction for tenants on government aid
House lawmakers approved a proposal to require mediation between landlords and tenants before landlords can file for eviction, if the tenant receives certain financial assistance. Under House Bill 1120, mediation would involve a landlord and tenant meeting together with a neutral third party to discuss a voluntary settlement in lieu of an eviction. If an eviction…
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Colorado reduces prison sentences for inmates pursuing higher education
Colorado has among the worst recidivism rates in the country, with more than 50% of people released from prison ending up back behind bars within three years. Now, the state is taking a new approach to address the issue by incentivizing prisoners to pursue higher education. House Bill 1037 reduces prison sentences for non-violent offenders who complete higher…
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Colorado lawmakers kill proposal to restrict student expulsions for crimes outside of school
A bill seeking to prevent students from being expelled for committing crimes outside of school was shut down by lawmakers last week. House Bill 1109 would have made several changes to the due process and legal thresholds for expelling, suspending or denying admission of public school students. Most notably, the bill would have limited a school district’s…
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Colorado advances proposal raising minimum age to criminally charge kids to 13
Colorado could soon stop charging children under 13 with most crimes, if a bill passed by a House committee becomes law. Currently, the minimum age for criminal prosecution in Colorado is 10. House Bill 1249 would raise the age to 13, except when a child is suspected of committing homicide. This would remove children aged 10, 11 and 12…
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Colorado legislature approves removing medical debt from credit scores, reports
The more than 700,000 Coloradans with medical debt may soon have that debt removed from their credit scores – thanks to a new bill passed by the state legislature. If enacted, House Bill 1126 would prohibit consumer reporting agencies in Colorado from including medical debt in credit reports through July 1, 2028. The bill would also require debt…
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English seeks to strengthen child visitation for grandparents | FOCUS ON THE SPRINGS
Rep. Regina English hasn’t seen two of her grandchildren in over six years. English, D-Colorado Springs, said these two of her 10 grandchildren live in Colorado, only a drive away, but a custody dispute between their parents has left English without any access for visitation. Grandparents can petition a court for visitation rights, but the…
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Colorado lawmakers OK dispensing prescription drugs via ‘vending machines’
Picking up prescription medications could soon be as easy as buying a candy bar in Colorado, thanks to a bill passed by the state legislature on Wednesday. If enacted, House Bill 1195 would allow pharmacies to use automated “vending machines” to dispense prescription medications to patients. The machines could be put in hospitals, health clinics or retail…
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Ban on corporal punishment in Colorado schools advances to Polis’ desk
An effort to prohibit corporal punishment in Colorado schools and child care centers passed its final vote on Tuesday. The legislation now only needs the governor’s approval to become law. If signed by Gov. Jared Polis, House Bill 1191 would ban willfully causing physical pain to a child as punishment by employees and volunteers in public schools,…