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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 note: Some email providers may clip the content at the bottom of this email due to its length. Click the link below to view the full email in your browser. | |
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. | |
A proposed property tax hike on Colorado short-term rental owners would only kick in for people with three or more homes under new legislation proposed as a gentler alternative to a further-reaching measure also being debated at the state Capitol this year. READ MORE | |
Lawmakers introduced a bill that would double the amount of money Colorado allocates to legal aid organizations. READ MORE | |
Proposed bill would allow Colorado homeowners to build accessory dwelling units. READ MORE | |
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Over 520 bills have been introduced so far during this legislative session. Check out the bills RMP is monitoring in alignment with our priorities below.
As we mentioned in the kickoff email, we aim to provide education, awareness, and essential information about the legislation and policy most impacting RMP's priorities. By doing so, we hope to empower you with the information you need to take action that is most meaningful and impactful to your organization.
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New Bills We Are Keeping an Eye On | | |
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HB24-1331: Out-of-School Time Grant Program
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HB24-1340: Incentives for Post-Secondary Education
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HB24-1350: Parental Responsibilities Proceedings Child Safety
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Bills Being Heard in Committee Next Week | |
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Tuesday, March 5
House Health and Human Services
Time: Upon Adjournment
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HB24-1322: Medicaid Coverage Housing & Nutrition Services
House Judiciary
Time: 1:30 PM
House Transportation, Housing & Local Government
Time: 1:30 PM
Senate Finance
Time: 2:00 PM
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SB24-120: Updates to the Crime Victim Compensation Act
Senate Local Government & Housing
Time: 2:00 PM
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SB24-106: Right to Remedy Construction Defects
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Wednesday, March 6
House Business Affairs & Labor
Time: Upon Adjournment
House Health & Human Services
Time: 1:30 PM
House Judiciary
Time: 1:30 PM
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HB24-1306: Increase Penalty Possession of Synthetic Opiates
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HB24-1230: Protections for Real Property Owners
House Transportation, Housing & Local Government
Time: 1:30 PM
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HB24-1313: Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities
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Thursday, March 7
House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
Time: Upon Adjournment
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HB24-1287: Access to State Grant Opportunities
Senate Local Government & Housing
Time: Upon Adjournment
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HB24-1098: Cause Required for Eviction of Residential Tenant
House Finance
Time: Upon Adjournment
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Senate Health & Human Services
Time: 1:30 PM
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SB24-125: Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children
House Business Affairs & Labor
Time: 1:30 PM
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HB24-1324: Attorney General Restrictive Employment Agreements
House Education
Time: 1:30 PM
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HB24-1305: Changes for Concurrent Enrollment Students
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HB24-1216: Supports for Youth in Juvenile Justice System
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Bills That Have Been Postponed Indefinitely |
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SB24-097: Property Tax Distraint Sale Mobile Home
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SB24-122: Empowerment Scholarship Accounts
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HB24-1126: Substance Use Disorder Treatment as Bond Condition
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HB24-1144: Income Tax Credit for Mortgage Rate Buy Downs
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Out of Committee and Headed to the Floor |
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SB24-094: Safe Housing for Residential Tenants
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SB24-115: Mental Health Professionals Practice Requirements
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SB24-119: Term Abandonment for Federal Classification Juvenile
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SB24-155: Payment of Family & Medical Leave Benefits
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HB24-1072: Protection of Victims of Sexual Offenses
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HB24-1082: First-Generation-Serving Higher Education Institutions
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HB24-1107: Judicial Review of Local Land Use Decision
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HB24-1233: Homeowners' Association Delinquency Payments Enforcement Procedures
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HB24-1259: Price Gouging in Rent Declared Disaster
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HB24-1291: Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals
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Bills That Have Successfully Passed in One Chamber |
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SB24-073: Maximum Number of Employees to Qualify as Small Employer
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HB24-1003: Opiate Antagonists and Detection Products in Schools
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HB24-1096: School Psychologist Licensure Interstate Compact
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Bills Awaiting Gov. Polis' Signature | |
Education Corner: Bill of the Week | |
HB24-1263: Licensure of Electricians
HB24-1263: Licensure of Electricians proposes changes to electricians' licensing and practices.
What would the bill do?
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Reduce the required apprenticeship and practical experience for a journeyman electrician's license
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Grant work experience credit for individuals certified by North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NACBEP) to install photovoltaic systems (a.k.a. solar-powered systems) or apprentices working under their supervision
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Give the state electrical board discretion in providing work experience credit for academic training, including military training
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Grant certain professionals an exemption from the journeyman electrician license exam
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Outline responsibilities of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) around safe clearances, installation of metering equipment, and inspection of electrical equipment
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Specifies certain requirements for public works projects around documentation related to apprenticeship programs
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Makes changes to photovoltaic (solar-powered) installations beginning in 2029
What economic and social mobility metrics does this bill impact?
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Where is this bill in its legislative journey?
This bill is being heard in the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee on Wednesday, March 6 upon adjournment.
How can I learn more about this bill?
Click the button below to view the bill.
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A quick update on bills previously highlighted...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Regional, State, and National Policy and News Roundup | |
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An existing program for migrant students can’t help schools with the current influx of new students. Here’s why.
Some of Colorado’s most diverse school districts, including Aurora and Greeley, are used to waves of immigration bringing in new students in the middle of the year.
But this year, the midyear wave is even bigger, with most students arriving from Venezuela and other South American countries. And it is overwhelming some district systems.
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With nods to Taylor Swift, Colorado lawmakers declare break-up with education funding gap
Colorado lawmakers, teachers and the governor on Thursday celebrated a milestone a generation in the making: The coming end of a Great Recession-era education funding gap that has diverted billions of dollars from schools.
Legislators have used the maneuver for 15 years to avoid funding schools at the level mandated by the state’s voters when they passed Amendment 23 in 2000. Called the budget stabilization factor, the adjustment has funneled money from education to other priorities, adding up to more than $10 billion during that time, according to Chalkbeat Colorado.
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HHS Updates Opioid Treatment Program Regulations for First Time in 20 Years
On Feb. 1, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced a final rule updating the regulations regarding Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). These announced changes are the first update to the OTP regulations in more than 20 years and could significantly increase access to medications like methadone and buprenorphine that treat opioid use disorder by, among other things, making permanent prescribing of “take-home” doses and enabling use of telemedicine to extend OTPs to a patient’s home.
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The National Observer: The turnover tsunami is over and job hopping is risky business
Workers who switch jobs are no longer seeing the same big pay bumps employers shelled out during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, though they still make more than their static counterparts, reports Andy Medici of The Playbook. But that's only one reason that quitting is increasingly risky for job seekers.
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About the Rocky Mountain Partnership | | |
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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.
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