First batch of bills signed into law

I had my first bill of the session signed into law this week. HB24-1146 authorizes the department of health care policy and financing to suspend a provider's enrollment if the provider is participating in an organized fraud scheme. You may have seen the Denver Post story about an unprecedented situation whereby drivers were paid to transport Medicaid patients hundreds of miles a day at the State's expense.

We drafted the legislation in direct response to this scheme that state officials uncovered late last summer. We believe the measure will give the state the ability to stop paying a provider, while we investigate the fraud allegations. We needed to be able to shut down the fraud quickly, so that people who need Medicaid are getting Medicaid and that these fraudulent activities are not permitted to happen.

Another bill, SB24-051 concerning modifications to enhance adult education in Colorado, is also on its way to the Governor's desk. This bill passed nearly unanimously out of the House last week. As Jason Gonzales explained in this article featured on CPR, we needed a technical fix so that the adult education expansion that we passed last session (SB23-007) could be fully implemented. Now, community colleges and local district colleges can begin offering high school diploma programs, helping over 300,000 Colorado adults receive the education they need to succeed.

I'm also pleased that all 32 supplemental budget bills that I sponsored successfully passed out of both the House and Senate and are now on their way to the Governor's desk. Most of these bills were basic, making simple adjustments to the FY2023-24 budget based on actual revenue, spending, and caseload adjustments, etc. One of these bills, however, will receive a special signing ceremony with the Governor this coming Tuesday!

HB24-1205 modifies the Colorado Imagination Library program to enhance early childhood literacy.The Colorado Imagination Library program, also known as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, provides books to over 55,000 Colorado children each month. The bill expands programming and allows the organization to enter into agreements with several new nonprofit partner organizations and several new local affiliate programs across the state. While most of the supplemental bills will be signed into law administratively, I am glad that we get to celebrate this one special bill at ceremony on Tuesday.

Temporary Rental Assistance Grant Initiative: Last week, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs officially launched the Temporary Rental Assistance Grant (TRAG) Initiative. They have already received over 1092 Coloradans apply for rental assistance. The Department of Local Affairs has funding available through the TRAG for temporary rental assistance for Coloradans who have fallen behind on their rent, meet income limits and other qualifying factors, and are at risk of eviction or displacement:

• Temporary Rental Assistance Grant Initiative Webpage (English / Spanish)
• The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP) Program is funded by the Federal government and is administered by the State. This program is currently reserved for households with a court summons who are in the eviction process.
• If you are a homeowner who is behind on their mortgage payments, you may apply for assistance through the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP).

For questions or more information, click HERE.

Join Westminster for the Great Global Cleanup: Join Westminster and the world for a spring-cleaning of our Earth! Gather a group of family or friends, register with the City and pick up trash in your designated area anytime between April 17-23. The City provides supplies and disposal of full trash bags. All ages welcome! To thank participants, a volunteer celebration will be held on Saturday, April 20 at City Park with free grab n' go lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To sign up to volunteer, click HERE.

Arvada Water-Saving Programs for Spring Planting: Spring isn't far off, which means lawn care and gardening season are just around the corner! Resource Central, in partnership with the City of Arvada, offer water-saving programs that you can plan for now! Join the Garden In A Box interest list and be among the first to order. They sell out quickly. Visit the Water Saving Programs page for additional water-saving programs available to Arvada residents through Resource Central.

HB24-1146 Medicaid Provider Suspension for Organized Fraud: Concerning authorizing the department of health care policy and financing to suspend a provider's enrollment if the provider is participating in an organized fraud scheme. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Polis.

SB24-051 Adult Education: Concerning modifications to enhance adult education in Colorado. The bill passed unanimously out of the House and is on its way to the Governor.

SB24-132 Evaluation Protections & Educators: Concerning extending evaluation protections to all educators. The bill will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Monday, February 25 at 1:30 pm.

SB24-143 Credential Quality Apprenticeship Classification: Concerning credential assessment tools, and, in connection therewith, integrating frameworks for nondegree credential evaluation and classification into state education and workforce systems and aligning stackable credential pathways and apprenticeship programs with international classification standards. The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee and will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

HB24-1235 Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities: Concerning measures to reduce the impact of aviation on surrounding communities. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee.

HB24-1264 Supporting the Educator Workforce: Concerning supporting the educator workforce in Colorado. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Education Committee.

HB24-1276 Sunset Process Commission Deaf Hard of Hearing Deafblind: Concerning the continuation of the Colorado commission for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations contained in the 2023 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB24-1290 Student Educator Stipend Program: Concerning an appropriation to reduce financial barriers for students entering the educator workforce through the student educator stipend program. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Education Committee.

HB24-1326 Bingo-Raffle Licensing Sunset Review: Concerning continuation under the sunset law of the licensing of certain games of chance including bingo, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations of the 2023 sunset report of the department of regulatory agencies. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee.

February 25, 2024 Colorado Politics: Critters, we got 'em | Capitol M, Week of Feb. 24, 2024

February 22, 2024 Colorado Community Media: Westminster Councilor Amber Hott uses experiences from her past to help people in need

February 20, 2024 The Colorado Sun: State funding could be withheld from Colorado cities that don’t tie housing to transit under new affordability push 

February 16, 2024 AVweb: Proposed Colorado Bill Targets General Aviation

February 15, 2024 Denver Business Journal: Construction defects, housing, consumer protections bills moving along

February 14, 2024 Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado budget committee plans aid for schools enrolling more migrant students

February 22, 2024 Governor Polis Signs Bills Into Law

February 14, 2024 RELEASE: Senate Gives Initial Sign Off to FY 23-24 Budget Supplemental Package

What's Brewing at the Capitol?

On Wednesday, February 28 at 6:30 pm, please join me for a casual conversation in a relaxed setting over a pint of your favorite craft beer. This month, Odyssey Beerwerks will be our hosts, and YOU will set the agenda. Odyssey is located at 5535 West 56th Avenue #107, Arvada, CO, 80002. They are 21+ only, and they do not allow children in the Taproom (nor on the patio), so if you are younger, or have kiddos in tow, you should watch for our next Coffee with Constituents! For more information, click HERE.

Legislative Town Hall Meeting: Save the Date



Please join us on Saturday, March 16 at 10:30 am for our monthly legislative town hall. The topic is TBD. The location for the town hall will be the Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003 (and NOT the library). For more information, click HERE.

Randy Moorman endorses Zenzinger for Commissioner

"Rachel is dedicated to doing what is right for her community. As a constituent for many years, I know firsthand she listens to her fellow residents and works to find solutions specific to the district she represents. She exemplifies the kind of leadership we need in Jefferson County, putting people before politics." 

--Randy Moorman, Arvada Mayor Pro Tem

Endorsements of Rachel Zenzinger's campaign for Jeffco Commissioner are pouring in! To view the latest, click HERE. If you'd like to join the list of supporters, please send an email to: rachelforcolorado@gmail.com.

Rep. Brianna Titone campaign kickoff event

After my JBC hearing at the Capitol last Wednesday, I hopped in car and made my way to Golden to join a host of elected leaders in celebrating Rep. Brianna Titone's re-election campaign kickoff. I was pleased to join Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Jeffco Sheriff Reggie Marinelli, Jeffco School Board Member Danielle Varda, and so many others, in celebrating Rep. Titone's stellar record at the Capitol, as well as listen to her speak about her current work and future goals. To learn more, or to make a contribution to Rep. Titone, click HERE.