About this Weekly Policy Brief

This brief is your source for the latest updates on legislation and policies impacting the Rocky Mountain Partnership's priorities. It's not just about staying informed – we want to equip you to understand and engage with the legislative landscape. 

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Please also note: This information is subject to change. In addition, some updates may be sourced from organizations that have read limits or limits on how many articles you can access in a given time period.

One bill that RMP is watching, HB24-1214: Community Crime Victims Funding, has been signed into law.

The bill we featured in our education corner last week, HB24-1263: Licensure of Electricians, has been postponed indefinitely.

RMP's Executive Committee is prioritizing in-depth examination of the following bills in order to better understand and communicate their potential impact on our region:

• SB24-050: Colorado Workforce Demonstration Grants Pilot Program
• SB24-104: Career & Technical Education & Apprenticeships
• SB24-143: Credential Quality Apprenticeship Classification
• HB24-1152: Accessory Dwelling Units

New Bills We Are Keeping an Eye On

• SB24-174: Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance
• HB24-1361: School District Open Enrollment Transparency
• HB24-1363: Charter Schools Accountability
• HB24-1364: Supporting Education-Based Workforce Readiness (highlighted above)

Bills Being Heard in Committee Next Week

Monday, March 11

House Finance

Time: 1:30 PM

• HB24-1268: Financial Assistance for Certain Low-Income Individuals
• HB24-1316: Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit

Senate Judiciary

Time: 1:30 PM

• HB24-1291: Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals

Tuesday, March 12

House Health & Human Services

Time: Upon Adjournment

• HB24-1115: Prescription Drug Label Accessibility
• HB24-1262: Maternal Health Midwives

House Judiciary

Time: 1:30 PM

• HB24-1350: Parental Responsibilities Proceedings Child Safety
• HB24-1101: Empower Victims through Access Restorative Justice
• SB24-119: Term Abandonment for Federal Classification Juvenile

House Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Time: 1:30 PM

• HB24-1318: Modify Rental Premises Person with Disability

Senate Local Government & Housing

Time: 2:00 PM

• SB24-106: Right to Remedy Construction Defects
• HB24-1007: Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits

Wednesday, March 13

House Business Affairs & Labor

Time: Upon Adjournment

• HB24-1317: Workforce Data Collection

House Education

Time: Upon Adjournment

• HB24-1290: Student Educator Stipend Program

Senate Education

Time: 1:30 PM

• SB24-156: College Preparation & Enrichment Program
• SB24-164: Institution of Higher Education Transparency Requirements

House Transportation, Housing & Local Government

Time: 1:30 PM

• HB24-1294: Mobile Homes in Mobile Home Parks

Thursday, March

Senate Local Government & Housing

Time: Upon Adjournment

• SB24-112: Construction Defect Action Procedures

House Finance

Time: Upon Adjournment

• HB24-1176: Behavioral Health Grant for Capital Project

House Education

Time: 1:30 PM

• HB24-1331: Out-of-School Time Grant Program
• SB24-017: Distribution of State Share of District Total Program
• HB24-1320: Educator Safety Task Force

Bills That Have Been Postponed Indefinitely

• HB24-1263: Licensure of Electricians

Out of Committee and Headed to the Floor

• SB24-006: Pretrial Diversion Programs (headed to the House floor)
• HB24-1028: Overdose Prevention Centers
• HB24-1149: Prior Authorization Requirements Alternatives

Bills That Have Successfully Passed in One Chamber

• SB24-115: Mental Health Professionals Practice Requirements
• SB24-119: Term Abandonment for Federal Classification Juvenile
• SB24-155: Payment of Family & Medical Leave Benefits
• HB24-1002: Social Work Licensure Compact
• HB24-1037: Substance Use Disorders Harm Reduction
• HB24-1046: Child Welfare System Tools

• HB24-1057: Prohibit Algorithmic Devices Used for Rent Setting
• HB24-1072: Protection of Victims of Sexual Offenses
• HB24-1082: First-Generation-Serving Higher Education Institutions
• HB24-1087: Professional Endorsement Special Education Teaching
• HB24-1291: Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals

LEARN

Take a deep dive into the bills that are most meaningful and impactful to you. Click the button below to view RMP's State Bill Tracker.

WRITE

Write a letter sharing your thoughts about the bills most meaningful and impactful to you Click the button below to download our letter template.

SHARE

Talk directly to legislators about the bills most meaningful and impactful to you by testifying at the statehouse. Click the button below to learn more.

Gov. Jared Polis, state lawmakers announce plan to boost workforce in Colorado

At the state Capitol on Thursday, Polis and some lawmakers announced that nine bills have been introduced to help expand and grow Colorado's thriving workforce. They believe it will connect more Coloradans with the education and training they need in the current economy. 

FAFSA delays cast uncertainty over university budgets as Colorado lawmakers look at how to fund higher education

High school seniors and college students across Colorado aren’t the only ones wondering what their fall will look like amid serious hiccups in the new process for applying for federal student aid. Colorado universities are facing their own bout of uncertainty with fears that fewer students may end up enrolling in higher education, questions about how their budgets will shape up and the anticipation of an unusually busy summer making last-minute adjustments before the new school year.

Questions? Reach out to Ashley Edinger, RMP's Senior Director of Institute & Strategic Supports at AshleyEdinger@RMPBackbone.org.

Rocky Mountain Partnership (RMP) is a group of leaders and community members who are WORKING TOGETHER to ensure that every young person across our region has the opportunity to embark on a successful journey toward economic and social advancement. 

Guided by a globally recognized framework and data, we strive to create impactful, large-scale solutions. We break down silos within existing efforts, optimize regional resources, and advance impactful policies and strategies.