Author: kdoran

Capitol Week In Review: Week 4

Capitol Week in Review | 02/2/2025
Post author Bri Buentello
Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Welcome to Capitol Week In Review, our newsletter keeping you informed about policy concerning educational equity and criminal justice reform.  You will also hear from us about opportunities to engage in advocacy on topics important to you.

Legislation of Interest

As we close out the first month of this year’s session, here are a few updates on some of our criminal justice reform policy priorities– including a newly introduced bill!

HB 25-1081, Reporting Statistics on Restitution, passed the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 7-4 and passed second reading in the House.  As you may recall, this bill requires enhanced data collection on restitution demographics, prioritizing transparency and accountability. It seeks to address systemic inequities by revealing who owes restitution, who receives payment, and any potential barriers in the process. HB 25-1116, DOC Search Court Records Before Offender Release, which would ensure the Department of Corrections regularly checks for outstanding warrants on inmates and notifies them, courts, and public defenders. It encourages timely resolution, including virtual court appearances, to prevent legal issues from delaying reentry, and was just introduced in the House. 

HB25-1135, Communication Devices in Schools, requires all public and charter schools in Colorado to establish policies on student use of communication devices during school hours by July 1, 2026. These policies must specify any restrictions and exceptions for device use throughout the school day. The bill was introduced in the House and is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on February 12. 

HB25-1153, Statewide Government Language Access Assessment, requires a statewide language access assessment across Colorado’s principal departments to evaluate and improve services for non-English speakers. The assessment will review language access needs, existing resources, and expenditures. A final report with recommendations is due by December 31, 2026. It was introduced in the House. 

HB25-1049, Communications Rights for Persons in Custody, ensures individuals in custody can make and receive private, unrecorded legal telephone calls at no cost or use private, unrecorded audiovisual conferencing. Under current law, individuals in custody have the right to consult with an attorney. It passed the House Judiciary Committee unanimously out of House Judiciary Committee.

SB25-001, Colorado Voting Rights Act, was introduced in the Senate and establishes the Colorado Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and updates election-related statutes in four key areas: (1) Election and voting provisions for Indian tribes. (2) Enhanced voting services for individuals with disabilities. (3) Improved language access in election processes. (4) Strengthened election-related data collection practices.

Our Take: Eliminating Medical Fees for Incarcerated People

We are thrilled that the House Judiciary Committee recently passed HB 25-1026, Repeal Co-payment for Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Health Care.  This legislation stops the Department of Corrections from charging medical fees to incarcerated individuals seeking healthcare, separate from what is billed to insurance and already provided by the state.  

Current law requires the DOC to assess a copayment for medical, dental, mental health, and optometric care services. Copays and fees charged for seeking medical care while incarcerated in Colorado, range from $3 to $5. While that amount does not sound excessive, we must consider the average wages paid to inmates incarcerated in Colorado of 69 cents to $1.81 per day. To contrast, this amounts to a $900 co-pay for the average Coloradan earning minimum wage.  

Studies show these fees deter people from seeking necessary care. A 2018 study in the Journal for Evidence-Based Practice in Correctional Health found that 70% of incarcerated individuals avoided medical care due to copays. Similarly, a 2024 American Medical Association study found that in states where copays exceeded a week’s pay, individuals with chronic health conditions were half as likely to seek medical treatment. Delayed care leads to worsening health outcomes, increasing long-term costs for the state. HB 25-1026 would eliminate these fees for three years, allowing time to assess the impact of this policy while ensuring access to essential healthcare for incarcerated individuals.

Take Action: Keep Families Connected

HB23-1133, passed in 2023, ensures free communication in Colorado’s prisons to keep families connected. The law phases in funding over three years, cutting call costs by 25% in year one, 35% in year two, and making all calls free by July 1, 2025. However, the Joint Budget Committee is now considering cutting funding to only cover 50% of costs this year, jeopardizing full implementation. We’ve been raising awareness about this because it’s incredibly impactful for families across Colorado. 

Delays in implementing this policy risk undermining efforts to reduce recidivism and support families. Let’s work together to protect this critical progress!

Contact members of the Joint Budget Committee and ask them to prioritize the funding needed to bring free prison phone calls to families this year, as outlined in HB23-1133.  If you want to learn more about other advocacy opportunities in the Criminal Justice Reform space, register to attend our community information session happening February 13th from 5:30-7:00p, here !

What We’re Reading

Capitol Week In Review: Week 3

Capitol Week in Review | 01/24/2025
Post author Bri Buentello
Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Welcome to Capitol Week In Review, our newsletter keeping you informed about policy concerning educational equity and criminal justice reform.  You will also hear from us about opportunities to engage in advocacy on topics important to you.

Legislation of Interest

HB 25-1026, Repeal Co-payment for Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Health Care, which stops the DOC from charging medical fees to incarcerated individuals seeking healthcare, separate from what is billed to insurance and already provided by the state, passed the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 8-3!
HB 25-1081, Reporting Statistics on Restitution, is scheduled to be heard this Tuesday, January 28th in the House Judiciary Committee. The bill requires enhanced data collection on restitution demographics, prioritizing transparency and accountability. It seeks to address systemic inequities by revealing who owes restitution, who receives payment, and any potential barriers in the process. 

SB25-001, Colorado Voting Rights Act, was introduced in the Senate and establishes the Colorado Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and updates election-related statutes in four key areas: (1) Election and voting provisions for Indian tribes. (2) Enhanced voting services for individuals with disabilities. (3) Improved language access in election processes. (4) Strengthened election-related data collection practices.

SB25-004, Regulating Child Care Center Fees, limits the amount licensed child care centers can charge for various deposits and fees to no more than $25. It is scheduled to be heard in the Business, Labor, & Technology Committee on February 4th.

HB25-1013, Department of Corrections Visitation Rights, was introduced in the House and establishes social visitation as a right for individuals confined in correctional facilities. 

HB25-1049, Communications Rights for Persons in Custody, ensures individuals in custody can make and receive private, unrecorded legal telephone calls at no cost or use private, unrecorded audiovisual conferencing. Under current law, individuals in custody have the right to consult with an attorney. It passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 9-1 vote and now moves to the House Appropriations Committee.  

Our Take: Graduation Rates Increase

Colorado is celebrating increases in high school graduation rates, with 84.2% of students graduating in 2024, the state’s highest rate in more than a decade. At the same time, dropout rates declined to 1.9%. Colorado Education Commissioner, Susana Córdova, said, “While we are seeing promising progress, we are continuing to see our students of color and our students with the highest needs graduating below our statewide rates.” 

In a Colorado Public Radio story, Englewood Public Schools Superintendent Joanna Polzin attributed growth in their graduation rates to several strategies, including their focus on ninth grade success and their partnership with the Colorado Center for High School Success (CHSS). 

This year, one of our top priorities is to protect funding for the Ninth Grade Success Grant Program allowing more Colorado schools to implement the proven 9th grade success approach that changes the trajectory for high school students across Colorado by reducing absenteeism and dropouts and increasing on-time graduation. 

Take Action: Keep Families Connected

HB23-1133, passed in 2023, ensures free communication in Colorado’s prisons to keep families connected. The law phases in funding over three years, cutting call costs by 25% in year one, 35% in year two, and making all calls free by July 1, 2025. However, the Joint Budget Committee is now considering cutting funding to only cover 50% of costs this year, jeopardizing full implementation. Delays in implementing this policy risk undermining efforts to reduce recidivism and support families. Let’s work together to protect this critical progress! Contact members of the Joint Budget Committee, and ask them to prioritize funding needed to bring free prison phone calls to families this year, as outlined in HB23-1133.

What We’re Reading

Colorado Graduation Rates are Up

Uncategorized | 01/24/2025
Post author
Stand for Children

Colorado is celebrating increases in high school graduation rates, with 84.2% of students graduating in 2024, the state’s highest rate in more than a decade. At the same time, dropout rates declined to 1.9%. Colorado Education Commissioner, Susana Córdova, said, “While we are seeing promising progress, we are continuing to see our students of color and our students with the highest needs graduating below our statewide rates.” 

According to the Colorado Department of Education, while Colorado’s overall four-year graduation rate improved, gaps persist across race/ethnicity and specific student groups: 

  • Four-year graduation rates for most students of color, students experiencing homelessness, students from migrant families, students with disabilities, multilingual learners, students in foster care, male students and students who are economically disadvantaged lag behind the statewide graduation rate of 84.2%.
  • Four-year graduation rate increases for American Indian/Alaskan Native (+1.9%), Hispanic (+1.2%), and multiracial (+1.5%) students increased above the statewide increase of 1.1%.
  • Students experiencing homelessness (+3.6%) and students in foster care (+4.2%) showed the most improvement in the four-year rate, although graduation rates for those student groups are much lower.

One strategy, backed by decades of research, to improve results for all students is implementing a ninth-grade success approach. Improving ninth grade on track rates, improves graduation rates, increases attendance, decreases drop-out rates, and has many other benefits for students and schools.

In a Colorado Public Radio story, Englewood Public Schools Superintendent, Joanna Polzin attributed the growth in their graduation rates to several strategies, including their focus on ninth grade on-track and their partnership with the Colorado Center for High School Success (CHSS). 

Ninth grade on-track work includes implementing targeted interventions, transition supports, school-based teaching teams, certain instructional approaches, and more. Schools doing this work must invest financially and increase staff collaboration.

This year, one of our top priorities is to protect funding for The Ninth Grade Success Grant Program allowing more Colorado schools to implement the proven 9th grade success approach that changes the trajectory for high school students across Colorado, by reducing absenteeism and dropouts and increasing on-time graduation. 

For more reading:

Colorado Public Radio, More Colorado high school students are graduating, and fewer are dropping out

Chalkbeat Colorado, Colorado’s graduation rate rose, and its dropout rate fell in 2024

Action Alert: Keeping Families Connected

Criminal Justice Reform | 01/17/2025
Post author
Stand for Children

Facing a bleak budget environment, the Joint Budget Committee is considering cutting funding for the implementation of free prison phone calls to 50% of the cost this year, leaving Colorado families facing challenges staying connected. 

Email Joint Budget Committee Members

HB23-1133, Cost of Phone Calls for Persons in Custody, made prison communication free across Colorado in state and private facilities with funding phased in over three years. The bill cut call costs by 25% in the first year, 35% in the second year, and is supposed to make all calls free starting July 1, 2025. Slowing the implementation of HB23-1133 will have a negative impact on Colorado’s efforts to reduce recidivism and support families. 

Contact members of the Joint Budget Committee, and ask them to prioritize funding needed to bring free prison phone calls to families this year, as outlined in HB23-1133. 

Giving Tuesday: Give $15 for our 15th Anniversary

Uncategorized | 12/3/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

15 years ago, Stand for Children launched in Colorado, focused on improving educational outcomes for children, particularly those most often overlooked and underserved. For the last decade and a half, we have championed efforts to improve early literacy, advance equitable school funding, develop community leaders and parent advocates, strengthen early childhood education, increase the number of students graduating on time, ready for college or career, and more.

Give Today

Now, 15 years after our work here began, we are asking you to join us in our mission to build a stronger Colorado by creating equitable opportunities for Coloradans, especially those historically furthest from privilege.

On this Giving Tuesday, we would be honored if you would help fund our future with a $15 donation.

Meet Leah, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 11/8/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

Stand Colorado advances solutions that increase opportunities for families, historically furthest from privilege, through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policymakers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.   

Stand for Children Colorado Advocacy Fellows are community leaders advocating for policy solutions towards a stronger Colorado.  With the support of Stand staff, advocacy fellows will deep dive into issues affecting Colorado communities today, co-create solutions, share knowledge back to their communities, work to break down barriers to power and access decision makers, and, in the process, build long-lasting relationships and invaluable skills. 

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows! 

Leah, is a proud Coloradan by heart. Her knack for encountering quirky suitors—like the man who took her to buy a gun rack on a first date—earned her a monthly dating column in a women’s magazine, launching her freelance writing career. Since then, her work has graced the pages of publications like “Marie Claire,” “INSIDER,” “Colorado Life Magazine,” and “Fodor’s Travel”.

Beyond her writing, Leah serves as a communications and marketing consultant for arts and culture organizations and nonprofits. Passionate about her Northeast Denver community, Leah is thrilled to be a Stand Fellow, eager to sharpen her community organizing skills and learn how to navigate legislation to better advocate for her neighbors.

Leah’s favorite children’s book, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein, reflects her belief in self-discovery and fulfillment. She cherishes Colorado’s diverse landscapes, from majestic mountains to sweeping plains, deep canyons, and high deserts, which continually inspire her love for the state she calls home.

Amendment 80 Fails

Elections | 11/8/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

Great news: Amendment 80 was rejected by Colorado voters. Disguised as a measure seeking to protect school choice in the state constitution, which Colorado families already have, Amendment 80 would have taken a permanent first step toward creating a voucher system, which would use taxpayer dollars to bankroll elite private school tuition.  

“Our schools need more teachers, smaller classrooms, and resources for critical programs like mental health services, early literacy support, and workplace readiness, but Amendment 80 would have achieved the opposite,” said Stand for Children Executive Director Krista Spurgin. “We are thrilled to see Colorado voters reject this misleading measure because it is the last thing our children need. We need to stay focused on supporting schools that are open to all students, accountable to taxpayers, and preparing kids with the skills they need to succeed.”

“As a parent and a teacher, the education of my children and students is one of my top priorities, and Amendment 80 puts that at risk,” said Alysia Bellamy, a parent and educator in Pueblo. “I am a strong supporter of school choice, but Amendment 80 was not about school choice, which Colorado parents already have. It was a dangerous move toward vouchers which would have diverted money away from the public schools that are serving the majority of our kids. I am glad Amendment 80 was rejected by voters. Now we can return our focus to better supporting our public schools and teachers.”

Voucher programs divert critical resources from already-underfunded public schools and funnel them to unaccountable private schools that do not have to meet state education standards, or even teach scientifically sound curriculum. Often, vouchers primarily benefit families that can already afford private school tuition and may not address the needs of disadvantaged students.  

We thank everyone for their work getting out the vote to ensure we protected our already underfunded schools from this deceitful effort to open the door to public school funding being sent to private schools. 

Vote No on Amendment 80

Elections | 10/30/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

We cannot allow funding for public schools to be sent to private schools. Disguised as a measure seeking to protect school choice in the state constitution, which Colorado families already have, Amendment 80 takes a permanent first step towards creating a voucher system, which would use taxpayer dollars to bankroll elite private school tuition.  

Voucher programs divert critical resources from already-underfunded public schools and funnel them to unaccountable private schools that do not have to meet state education standards, or even teach scientifically sound curriculum. Often, vouchers primarily benefit families that can already afford private school tuition and may not address the needs of disadvantaged students.  Together, we can protect our already underfunded schools from this deceitful effort to open the door to public school funding being sent to private schools. 

If you’ve already voted, please use this toolkit to ask your friends and neighbors to vote no on Amendment 80.

Meet Lauren, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 10/8/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

Stand Colorado advances solutions that increase opportunities for families, historically furthest from privilege, through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policymakers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.   

Stand for Children Colorado Advocacy Fellows are community leaders advocating for policy solutions towards a stronger Colorado.  With the support of Stand staff, advocacy fellows will deep dive into issues affecting Colorado communities today, co-create solutions, share knowledge back to their communities, work to break down barriers to power and access decision makers, and, in the process, build long-lasting relationships and invaluable skills. 

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows! 

Driven by a deep commitment to empowerment and healing, lauren serves as an alternative high school counselor and private practice therapist, blending her B.S. in Sociology and M.A. in Counseling to uplift individuals and communities.

Her leadership experience in the service industry shaped her passion for creating meaningful change, which she channels through volunteering with The Gathering Place and advocacy with Stand for Children.

Lauren values authenticity, resilience, and love, striving to help others navigate life’s challenges with courage and grace. her favorite book is The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith.

Meet Alysia, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 10/8/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

Stand Colorado advances solutions that increase opportunities for families, historically furthest from privilege, through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policymakers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.   

Stand for Children Colorado Advocacy Fellows are community leaders advocating for policy solutions towards a stronger Colorado.  With the support of Stand staff, advocacy fellows will deep dive into issues affecting Colorado communities today, co-create solutions, share knowledge back to their communities, work to break down barriers to power and access decision makers, and, in the process, build long-lasting relationships and invaluable skills. 

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows! 

A passionate educator and advocate, Alysia juggles her roles as a high school English teacher, college Psychology professor, and devoted parent of two with unwavering dedication to justice in her community. Her favorite book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, inspires her belief in teamwork, love, and resilience against adversity.

Beyond teaching, she loves reading, particularly Dramione fanfiction, for its exploration of character growth and new perspectives. Her work and hobbies reflect her commitment to learning, creativity, and fostering meaningful growth in others.

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