DENVER — With over 450 bills either moving their way through or already having moved through the Colorado Legislature, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, the passed from the killed, the relevant from the irrelevant.
While it would take a team of likely hundreds to peruse every bill - there are several bills that we've received repeated questions about.
This includes things like the "red flag" bill and oil and gas regulation reform in the state.
In the state House, Dems hold 41 of 65 seats. In the state Senate, Dems hold 19 of 35 seats. Gov. Jared Polis is also a Democrat. With the Democrats in firm control, Republicans have gotten creative in their attempts to slow down their opponents' agenda.
(Note: all Senators and Representatives discussed herein are assumed to be elected to the Colorado General Assembly)
Current bills
EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS (House Bill 2019-1177)
- The "Red Flag Bill"
- "Concerning creation of an extreme risk protection order, and in connection therewith, making an appropriation."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Courts & Judicial
Prime Sponsors:
- Rep. Tom Sullivan (D-Centennial)
- Rep. Alec Garnett (D-Denver)
- Sen. Lois Court (D-Denver)
- Sen. Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Passed legislature >>> On the governor's desk
Latest reporting:
The Colorado House passed the bill April 1 in a 38-25 vote. All that's left is a signature from Polis to make it law. The bill would allow the seizure of weapons from persons the court deems to pose a significant risk to themselves or others.
9NEWS Coverage:
- April 1, 2019 | 'Red flag' gun bill headed to governor's desk after passing House
- March 26, 2019 | Colorado Senate's top Democrat plans to vote against red flag bill
- March 13, 2019 | Dougco sheriff, commissioners spar as county vows not to enforce a red flag law
- March 12, 2019 | Multiple Colorado counties declare themselves '2nd Amendment sanctuaries' as Red Flag bill progresses
- March 6, 2019 | Weld County declares themselves a 'second amendment sanctuary county'
- Feb. 21, 2019 | Colorado House passes ‘red flag’ gun bill
- Feb. 20, 2019 | Red flag bill: A person who loses their gun has to prove they're no longer a risk to get it back
- Feb. 14, 2019 | Father of theater shooting victim, now a state rep, makes emotional speech at Red Flag bill introduction
- Feb. 12, 2019 | Guns and mental health: Should the courts weigh in on gun access for people in a mental health crisis?
- Dec. 30, 2018 | Remembering fallen DougCo Deputy Zack Parrish 1 year after his death
- Nov. 8, 2018 | 'Red flag' bill unlikely to be stopped in full-Democratic state legislature
PROTECT PUBLIC WELFARE OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS (Senate Bill 2019-181)
- Commonly understood to be Colorado oil and gas regulation reform
- "Concerning additional public welfare protections regarding the conduct of oil and gas operations, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Natural Resources & the Environment
Prime Sponsors:
- Sen. Stephen Fenberg (D-Boulder)
- Sen. Mike Foote (D-Boulder)
- Rep. KC Becker (D-Denver)
- Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Under Consideration >>> Passed both House and Senate >>> On governor's desk
Latest reporting:
A bill Democrats have pushed through the legislature aimed at reforming the oil and gas industry in Colorado passed the Colorado Senate Wednesday morning in a party-line vote and now sits on the governor's desk.
9NEWS Coverage:
- April 3, 2019 | Boulder County halts oil and gas project following reform bill approval
- April 3, 2019 | Colorado Senate passes oil and gas bill; Legislation moves to governor's desk for signing
- March 15, 2019 | Truth testing oil and gas ads as Colorado legislature considers new rules
- March 5, 2019 | Oil and gas legislation speeding its way through Colorado legislature
- March 5, 2019 | Contentious oil, gas overhaul bill passes senate committee
- March 5, 2019 | The proposed changes to Colorado oil and gas regulations: Regulate wells, protect public health
- March 4, 2019 | 'Health and safety must come first': Colorado bill would change focus of state's oil and gas industry regulation
- Nov. 6, 2018 | Prop 112 fails; Buffer zone for oil and gas development will not expand to 2,500 feet
COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION (House Bill 2019-1032)
- The "Sex Ed Bill"
- "Concerning comprehensive human sexuality education, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Education & School Finance
Prime Sponsors:
- Rep. Susan Lontine (D-Denver)
- Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-Thornton)
- Sen. Nancy Todd (D-Aurora)
- Sen. Don Coram (R-Montrose)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Under Consideration
Latest reporting:
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill that would expand the curriculum for schools that provide sex education. After hours of testimony from the public, the bill passed committee 3-2 and now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
9NEWS Coverage:
- March 1, 2019 | Sex education bill moves forward after another contentious hearing
- Feb. 28, 2019 | What large Colorado school districts say students actually learn in sex ed
- Feb. 19, 2019 | Bill that would ban abstinence-only sex ed approved by Colorado House
- Feb. 15, 2019 | Lawmaker suggests meaning of ‘consent’ varies during 6-hour debate on sex ed bill
- Jan. 30, 2019 | Bill that would ban abstinence-only sex ed passes through committee after hours of testimony at State Capitol
- Jan. 22, 2019 | Bill would ban abstinence-only sex education in Colorado schools
REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY (Senate Bill 2019-182)
- Would override popular vote reinstatement of death penalty from 1974
- "Concerning the repeal of the death penalty by the general assembly."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Crimes, Corrections & Enforcement
Prime sponsors:
- Sen. Angela Williams (D-Denver)
- Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver)
- Rep. Jeni James Arndt (D-Fort Collins)
- Rep. Adrienne Benavidez (D-Commerce City)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Lost
Latest reporting:
The bill that would repeal Colorado's death penalty - a law on the books since 1974 - is dead on the state's legislative floor Tuesday morning, April 2. Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver), one of the bill's sponsors, has asked the bill be laid over until May 4, which is a day after the legislative session would end.
9NEWS Coverage:
- April 2, 2019 | Death penalty repeal bill dead in Colorado Legislature
- March 28, 2019 | Murder victims' families decry death penalty
- March 6, 2019 | Colorado lawmakers consider ending little-used death penalty
- March 5, 2019 | Colorado Dems announce legislation that would repeal the death penalty
LEGALIZING MINORS' BUSINESSES (Senate Bill 2019-103)
- Would let a child run a lemonade stand or similar thing without needing a permit from a local city or town
- "Concerning the ability of a minor to operate a business on a limited basis without obtaining the approval of a local government."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Fiscal Policy & Taxes and Local Government
Prime Sponsors:
- Sen. Angela Williams (D-Denver)
- Sen. Jack Tate (R-Centennial)
- Rep. James Coleman (D-Denver)
- Rep. Terri Carver (R-El Paso)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Passed >>> Became law
Latest reporting:
Polis on Monday, April 1 signed into law a bill that offers more protection to small, temporary businesses run by kids - like lemonade stands. Senate Bill 103, called "Legalizing Minors' Businesses" prohibits any county or city from requiring a license or permit for people younger than 18 who are running a temporary business.
9NEWS Coverage:
- April 1, 2019 | There is now a law that helps protect kids operating lemonade stands in Colorado
- Feb. 11, 2019 | Lemonade stand leniency bill passes first step at Colorado Capitol
- Feb. 7, 2019 | Bill that would let kids operate lemonade stands in Colorado to be discussed by lawmakers
- Sept. 23, 2018 | Denver family helps change lemonade stand rules
- Sept. 18, 2018 | Kids can now operate lemonade stands in Denver
- May 30, 2018 | Lemonade stand shut down by police now being welcomed by local businesses
SEXUAL ASSAULT WHILE IN CUSTODY OR DETAINED (House Bill 2019-1250)
- Creates a new criminal offense: "unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer"
- "Concerning sex offenses committed by a peace officer."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Crimes, Corrections and Enforcement
Prime Sponsors:
- Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Under consideration
Latest reporting:
There are laws in Colorado to prevent police officers from taking advantage of their authority, but the law that helps prevent sexual assault says a victim can't consent if they are "detained in a jail, prison, or hospital," and Representative Leslie Herod (D-Denver) said this should be expanded.
9NEWS Coverage:
- March 25, 2019 | Bill aims to close 'loophole' in law involving sexual assault while in custody or detained
- Jan. 25, 2019 | Former Lakewood officer arrested for 3rd time, accused of sex-related crime while on duty
- Nov. 29, 2018 | 90 days in jail for cop who sexually assaulted woman on her way home from the hospital
- Aug. 28, 2017 | Arrest of officer accused of sex assault 'rocked department to its core', chief says
EXEMPTION FROM GARNISHMENT FOR MEDICAL DEBT (House Bill 2019-1089) and PRIMARY RESIDENCE EXEMPT LIENS FOR MEDICAL DEBT (House Bill 2019-1145)
- Both bills are in response to 9Wants to Know's "Lien on Me" investigation
- "Concerning an exemption from garnishment for liens arising from judgments for medical debt." (1089)
- "Concerning an exemption for a judgment debtor's primary residence from a lien arising from a judgment for medical debt." (1145)
- Both filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Both concern Civil Law, Courts & Judicial
Prime Sponsors:
- Rep. Kerry Tipper (D-Lakewood) [both bills]
- Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County) [1145]
- Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver) [1089]
- Sen. Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) [1089]
- Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) [1089]
STATUS: (Both bills) Introduced >>> Lost
Latest reporting:
[1145] A legislative effort to end the practice of putting liens on properties owned by those saddled with medical debt stalled during a Feb. 21 committee hearing.
[1089] Legislation designed to prohibit creditors from going after the wages of people with medical debt failed Feb. 4 despite pleas from the bill’s sponsor that such legislation was sorely needed.
9NEWS Coverage:
- Feb. 21, 2019 | Bill to eliminate liens for medical debt stalls
- Feb. 7, 2019 | Legislation introduced to protect patients from surprise medical bills
- Feb. 4, 2019 | Lawmakers kill proposal to protect patients from medical debt collection
- Nov. 26, 2018 | Why hospitals work with doctors who sue patients over medical bills
- Nov. 8, 2018 | Ways to protect yourself from surprise medical bills
- Nov. 5, 2018 | How you can visit the hospital, then get a lien on your home
PROHIBIT CONVERSION THERAPY FOR A MINOR (House Bill 2019-1129)
- Stops the practice of a psychiatrist or the like trying to "convert" an LGBTQIA person under the age of 18
- "Concerning prohibiting a mental health care provider from engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under eighteen years of age."
- Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
- Concerning Professions & Occupations
Prime Sponsors:
- Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Adams County)
- Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo)
- Sen. Stephen Fenberg (D-Boulder)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Under consideration
Latest reporting:
A bill prohibiting conversion therapy for minors has passed a Colorado State Senate committee Monday, March 18. The bill is now heading back to the House.
9NEWS Coverage:
- March 18, 2019 | Bill to ban conversion therapy passes committee
- Jan. 7, 2019 | Gay conversion therapy for minors banned in Denver
INFORMATION TO STUDENTS REGARDING SAFE HAVEN LAW (Senate Bill 2019-025)
- A bill that would require information about dropping off newborns at fire houses or hospitals with no questions asked to be a part of health class in high school
"Concerning providing information to public school students regarding laws that provide for the safe abandonment of newborn children."
Filed during the 2019 Regular Session
Concerning Children & Domestic Matters, Education & School Finance, Human Services and Public Health
Prime Sponsors:
- Sen. Jim Smallwood (R-Parker)
- Rep. Edie Hooton (D-Boulder)
STATUS: Introduced >>> Passed >>> Became Law
Latest reporting:
Polis signed a bill that will require schools to provide information about Safe Haven laws as part of health education.
9NEWS Coverage:
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