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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Sine die, otherwise known as the end of the legislative session, is 11:59 PM on May 8th.

Follow along with the Colorado Sun's countdown clock HERE.

Why is the legislative session ending on May 8th?

Colorado's constitution limits each legislative session to 120 days. Since the legislative session kicked off on January 10th, it is required to end on May 8th, 120 days from its official start.

As of the beginning of this week, 363 bills remained pending as we approach the end of Colorado's legislative session on May 8th.

Learn more about some of the bills still pending HERE.

What happens to bills that are still pending?

If pending bills do not receive preliminary approval by their second chamber by 11:59 PM on May 8th, they will be considered 'dead' for the 2024 legislative session.

How many bills died on the calendar last year?

In 2023, 32 bills died on the calendar without votes in the Colorado legislature.

Additional bills RMP is watching was signed into law:

• HB24-1072: Protection of Victims of Sexual Offenses
• HB24-1096: School Psychologist Licensure Interstate Compact
• HB24-1231: State Funding for Higher Education Projects
• HB24-1291: Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals
• HB24-1403: Higher Education Support Homeless Youth

Stay tuned for our legislative recap after the end of the legislative session, which will dive into the potential impacts of bills that have become law.

Learn more about policies at the statehouse!

See RMP's latest policy overviews, as well as fact sheets shared by partners HERE.

Bills That Have Been Postponed Indefinitely

• SB24-059: Children's Behavioral Health Statewide System of Care
• SB24-112: Construction Defect Action Procedures

Out of Committee and Headed to the Floor

• SB24-034: Increase Access to School-Based Health Care (headed to the House floor)
• SB24-048: Substance Use Disorders Recovery (headed to the House floor)
• SB24-069: Clarify Individualized Education Program Information (on the House floor)
• SB24-110: Medicaid Prior Authorization Prohibition (headed to the House floor)
• SB24-191: Host Homes for Youth (on the House floor)
• SB24-200: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion in Child Welfare (on the House floor)
• SB24-202: Assignment of Child Support Foster Youth (on the House floor)
• HB24-1115: Prescription Drug Label Accessibility (on the Senate floor)

• HB24-1152: Accessory Dwelling Units (on the Senate floor)
• HB24-1308: Effective Implementation of Affordable Housing Programs (on the Senate floor)
• HB24-1322: Medicaid Coverage Housing & Nutrition Services (on the Senate floor)
• HB24-1384: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (headed to the Senate floor)
• HB24-1437: Prohibit Flat Fees for Defending Indigent Clients (headed to the Senate floor)
• HB24-1461: Exemption for College Program Completion Earned Time (on the Senate floor)
• HB24-1463: Restrictions on Tap Fees

Bills That Have Successfully Passed in One Chamber

• SB24-007: Behavioral Health First Aid Training Program
• SB24-034: Increase Access to School-Based Health Care
• SB24-064: Monthly Residential Eviction Data & Report
• SB24-120: Updates to the Crime Victim Compensation Act
• SB24-141: Out-of-State Telehealth Providers
• SB24-210: Modifications to Laws Regarding Elections
• HB24-1004: Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations
• HB24-1038: High-Acuity Crisis for Children & Youth
• HB24-1045: Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
• HB24-1052: Senior Housing Income Tax Credit
• HB24-1216: Supports for Youth in Juvenile Justice System
• HB24-1260: Prohibition Against Employee Discipline
• HB24-1262: Maternal Health Midwives

• HB24-1268: Financial Assistance for Certain Low-Income Individuals
• HB24-1280: Welcome, Reception, & Integration Grant Program
• HB24-1290: Student Educator Stipend Program
• HB24-1312: State Income Tax Credit for Careworkers
• HB24-1316: Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit
• HB24-1365: Opportunity Now Grants & Tax Credit
• HB24-1376: Expand Teacher Mentorships
• HB24-1434: Expand Affordable Housing Tax Credit
• HB24-1439: Financial Incentives Expand Apprenticeship Programs
• HB24-1446: Professional Development for Science Teachers
• HB24-1448: New Public School Finance Formula
• HB24-1461: Exemption for College Program Completion Earned Time

Bills That Have Successfully Passed in Both Chambers

• SB24-001: Continue Youth Mental Health Services Program
• SB24-164: Institution of Higher Education Transparency Requirements
• HB24-1099: Defendant Filing Fees in Evictions
• HB24-1176: Behavioral Health Grant for Capital Project
• HB24-1278: Sunset Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board
• HB24-1286: Equal Justice Fund Authority

• HB24-1294: Mobile Homes in Mobile Home Parks
• HB24-1324: Attorney General Restrictive Employment Agreements
• HB24-1331: Out-of-School Time Grant Program
• HB24-1350: Parental Responsibilities Proceedings Child Safety
• HB24-1440: Property & Casualty Insurance Documents & Forms

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.

4 Ways Colorado Continues to Lead America’s Aerospace Industry

“What we have is the best-on-the-planet aerospace ecosystem,” says Robert Beletic, aerospace and defense industry manager at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). “It’s like nowhere else and it’s because of several factors. Success breeds success.”

He cites a pair of key statistics: 37,000 private aerospace jobs and $13 billion of annual industry output. “We have more people working in aerospace per capita than any other state, or any other country, for that matter,” says Beletic. “California actually has the largest aerospace ecosystem, but it’s not much bigger than ours, and they have seven times the population.”

Polis Administration Announces Grants to Create Colorado Technology Hubs

Governor Polis and the Business Funding & Incentives Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the Colorado Technology Hub Development Grant awards. Three recipients across the state will receive funding to advance Colorado’s leadership in key technology areas, grow regional economies and create new job opportunities for Coloradans.

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.