legislation Archives

Capitol Week In Review: Week 12

Capitol Week in Review | 04/15/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

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

Legislation of Interest

HB24-1311, Family Affordability Tax Credit, was passed by the House Finance Committee and was referred to the Appropriations Committee. The bill creates a family affordability tax credit and will distribute a portion of the state’s $1.8 billion TABOR surplus to families, including those making up to $95,000 a year, to help cover the rising costs of housing, food, and child care.

HB24-1432, Repeal CBI Criminal Justice Record Sealing Fee, was passed unanimously out of House Judiciary Committee. The bill repeals the requirement for a defendant to pay to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation any costs related to sealing the defendant’s criminal justice records in the bureau’s custody.

HB 24-1445, Probation & Parole Reporting & Fee Conditions, was introduced in the House and assigned to the Judiciary Committee. HB24-1445 will expand opportunities for remote reporting (via online platform or phone) for individuals on parole or probation.

HB24-1448, New Public School Finance Formula, was introduced and assigned to the Education Committee. This bill will update our 30-year-old school finance formula.

Our Take: Reducing Recidivism by expanding Remote Reporting

We are thrilled that HB 24-1445, Probation & Parole Reporting & Fee Conditions was introduced this week. HB24-1445 will expand opportunities for remote reporting (via online platform or phone) for individuals on parole or probation.

Currently, lower-risk individuals under probation or parole supervision may have the option to check in virtually with their supervising officers in many jurisdictions, however, this option varies across the state, and we want to change that. This bill will ensure we are supporting opportunities for reintegration so that individuals can work, seek education, care for children, or other responsibilities, all while meeting the requirements of their parole or probation reporting.

Email the House Judiciary Committee

Take Action: Email the House Education Committee to Support New School Finance Formula

This week, members of the House of Representatives introduced bipartisan legislation to center students in the way Colorado funds schools. HB24-1448, New Public School Finance Formula, will update our 30-year-old school finance formula and send additional state dollars to every school district. Most importantly, this update puts students at the center of school funding.

The bill would put in place a school finance formula that dramatically increases how much school districts get for: each student from a low-income household, each English Language Learner, and each student with a disability.

eMAIL the House Education Committee

What We’re Reading

Centering Students When Funding Schools – An Update 30 Years in the Making

Safe and Supportive Schools and Communities | 04/12/2024

Stand for Children

The bill would put in place a school finance formula that sends more money per student to districts and, dramatically increases how much school districts get for: each student from a low-income household, each English Language Learner, and each student with a disability.

Email the House Education Committee

Email Policymakers

Learn more

Press Release: New School Funding Formula Boosts Support for Colorado Students

Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado lawmakers pitch rewrite of unpopular school funding formula that’s older than Nikola Jokic

Colorado Public Radio: New way to fund Colorado schools pitched as a way to benefit high-needs students

Advocate to continue Mental Health Support Program for CO Youth!

Legislation | 04/5/2024

Kate Doran Director of Communications

The need for mental health supports for Colorado children is greater than ever before.

Legislation to help is being considered by Colorado policymakers, and they need to hear from you! SB24-001, will continue the “I Matter” youth mental health services program, which provides up to six free therapy sessions and reimburses participating licensed therapists.

Almost 11,000 children and teens have used the program already. If SB24-001 is not passed, the “I Matter” program will end this summer. SB24-001 has been passed by the Senate and was passed by the House Health and Human Services Committee last week. As it continues to progress through the House, please let your representative know this legislation is important to you. Send an email today!

Capitol Week In Review: Week 11

Capitol Week in Review | 03/30/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Welcome to a special edition of Capitol Week In Review. We are updating you on the progress of our top policy priorities now that we are more than halfway through the 2024 legislative session.

Legislation of Interest

The Colorado state budget, or Long Bill, was introduced this week. The $40.6 billion budget is drafted by members of the Joint Budget Committee and considers recommendations in the Governor’s annual budget request.

According to reporting from Chalkbeat, “K-12 funding would increase nearly 7% to about $9.7 billion next year. Average per pupil spending would increase by about 7%, or $780, to $11,450 next year.”

Senators Buckner and Zenzinger sponsored the Colorado School Finance Act, which passed out of the Senate Education Committee this week. For the first time since 2009, the School Finance Act proposes to fully fund K-12 schools by eliminating a maneuver that withheld education funds to pay for other priorities. The end of what’s called the budget stabilization factor will mark a turning point for the state and schools.

To learn more about the state budget process, check out our video explainer and be sure you are following us on TikTok and Instagram!

Our Take: Progress on Our Top Policy Priorities

Changing the trajectory for high school students by increasing funding for the 9th grade success grant program

HB24-1282, Ninth-Grade Success Grant & Performance Reporting, expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program, creates a statewide report on Ninth Grade On-Track rates so we can track what is working and areas that may need support, and removes the 2025 expiration date of the current grant program.

Current status: HB24-1282 passed the House Education Committee and is awaiting a hearing by the House Appropriations Committee. An amendment adding $2 million for the grant program to the budget, or long bill, was passed by the House of Representatives.

Impacting generations of Colorado students by updating Colorado’s 30-year-old school finance formula

Our school finance formula, which defines how Colorado schools are funded by the state, hasn’t been updated in 30 years. Legislation (to-be-introduced) this year aims to update the formula.

Current status: A to-be-introduced legislative proposal puts more money in the formula overall, and importantly dramatically increases how much school districts get for each student from a low-income household, each English Language Learner, and each student with a disability.

Increasing educator diversity and addressing Colorado’s teacher shortage

HB24-1290, Student Educator Stipend Program, appropriates annual funding for stipends for student teachers. This bill is part of a multi-year effort to remove barriers in educator preparation to increase educator diversity and address Colorado’s teacher shortage. HB22-1220, a policy we championed 2022 included a program to give a student teacher stipend to educators that qualify. This legislation continues that program.

Current Status: The bill passed the House Education Committee and is awaiting a hearing by the House Appropriations Committee.

Decreasing recidivism by increasing virtual supervision opportunities for probation and parole statewide

Expanding opportunities for remote reporting (via online platform or phone) for individuals under supervision in Colorado is a way to use technology to ensure people can meet the requirements of their parole or probation while supporting their ability to work, seek education, care for children, or other responsibilities. Currently, lower-risk individuals under probation or parole supervision may have the option to check in virtually with their supervising officers in many jurisdictions. However, this option varies across the state and we aim to change that.

Current Status: Yet-to-be introduced, legislation will standardize remote supervision statewide for individuals that qualify.

Supporting Youth Mental Health by continuing free therapy sessions

SB24-001, will continue the “I Matter” youth mental health services program, which provides up to six free therapy sessions and reimburses participating licensed therapists. Almost 11,000 children and teens have used the program already. If SB24-001 is not passed, the “I Matter” program will end this summer.

Current Status: SB24-001 has been passed by the Senate and is scheduled to be heard by the House Health and Human Services Committee next week.

Take Action: Support the Effort to Update the School Finance Formula

We are thrilled to let you know that there will be an opportunity to update the 30-year-old school finance formula this year. Soon-to-be introduced legislation, aims to ensure the way we fund schools puts students first.

The draft proposal would put in place a school finance formula that sends more money per student to all districts and also, dramatically increases how much school districts get for each student from a low-income household, each English Language Learner, and each special education student. This is an opportunity to have a deep and lasting impact on Colorado students and educators.

Lawmakers need to understand it is a priority for you, so please email to let them know you support the effort to update the school finance formula!

eMAIL Your LawMakers

What We’re Reading

Chalkbeat Colorado, Colorado budget would boost funding for higher education, end maneuver that shortchanged schools
Colorado Politics, Colorado lawmakers adopt cuts, hard choices as state faces $170 million budget shortfall
Chalkbeat Colorado, 2024 Colorado General Assembly: The people’s guide to following education issues

Policy Priority: Addressing the Teacher Shortage and Increasing Educator Diversity

Safe and Supportive Schools and Communities | 03/13/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Legislation to help address Colorado’s educator shortage and increase teacher diversity is being considered. HB24-1290, Student Educator Stipend Program, appropriates annual funding for stipends for student teachers. This bill is part of a multi-year effort designed to remove barriers in educator preparation to increase educator diversity and address Colorado’s teacher shortage.

The need to work 40 hours a week student teaching, without pay, has kept many talented educators out of the profession. In 2022, we championed HB22-1220, a law that, in addition to other measures, put in place a student educator stipend program for candidates that meet certain requirements. HB24-1290 seeks to continue that program.

Addressing Our Teacher Shortage

Colorado school districts report having a variety of open positions for the school year. Nearly 15% of the total teaching positions in Colorado were open sometime during the 2022-23 school year. 8.7% of those positions remained unfilled for the entire year.

As Colorado continues to experience challenges with a shortage of educators, a 2024 report from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) reports the student teacher stipend is showing promising results after the first year, “The first year of the educator stipend program has shown that providing funding to educator candidates increases their chances of program completion and bolsters candidates’ confidence in their abilities to serve as competent Colorado educators.”

According to a Report from CDHE on the implementation of HB22-1220:

78% of teaching candidates eligible for the stipend said, “the stipend was essential to them becoming a teacher or counselor.”
34% of respondents indicated that they were considering delaying or dropping out of their programs due to financial issues before receiving the stipends.

Capitol Week In Review: 8

Capitol Week in Review | 03/2/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Legislation of Interest

HB24-1282, Ninth-Grade Success Grant & Performance Reporting, is scheduled to be heard by the House Education Committee, on March 6th. This bill expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program, which provides funding to schools to implement a ninth-grade success program.

HB24-1003, Opiate Antagonists and Detection Products in Schools, expands upon current law to allow schools to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses and allows school bus operators to administer them in good faith. The bill was passed by the House.

HB24-1323, School Graduation Attire, allows preschool, public school, or university students to wear or display religious or cultural regalia at a graduation ceremony. The bill was passed by the House Education Committee.

SB24-049, Content of Material in Libraries, establishes a process for people to object to a library resource in a school or public library, and creates a framework for reviewing/removing materials. The bill was postponed indefinitely by the Senate Education Committee.

Our Take: The Family Affordability Tax Credit will cut child poverty in Colorado by half

Despite having one of the fastest growing economies in the United States, Colorado is unaffordable for working families and more than 133,000 children are living in poverty. We’re excited to support the Family Affordability Tax Credit, also known as HB 23-1311. The Family Affordability Tax Credit will put more money into the hands of working families and cut child poverty in Colorado by half, by distributing a portion of the State’s $1.8 billion TABOR surplus directly to families who need it most.

Take Action: Ask House Education Committee to support 9th Grade Success

The House Education Committee is scheduled to hear HB24-1282, Ninth-Grade Success Grant & Performance Reporting, on March 6th. This bill expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program, which will allow more Colorado schools to implement the approach changing the trajectory for our high school students.

Decades of research has shown that supporting students by implementing a 9th grade success approach improves graduation rates, and the impacts in Colorado schools speak for themselves.

eMAIL THE house education committee

What We’re Reading

Chalkbeat Colorado, Colorado bill to curb book bans in school and public libraries voted down in education committee

Chalkbeat Colorado, 2024 Colorado General Assembly: The people’s guide to following education issues

Capitol Week In Review: 7

Capitol Week in Review | 02/26/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Legislation of Interest

HB24-1133, Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Changes, addresses issues raised through the implementation of Colorado’s “Clean Slate” policy, which automatically seals the criminal records of individuals who are convicted of a non-violent offense once certain conditions have been met. The bill was passed unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

HB24-1311, Family Affordability Tax Credit, was introduced in the House. The bill creates a family affordability tax credit and will distribute a portion of the state’s $1.8 billion TABOR surplus to families, including those making up to $95,000 a year, to help cover the rising costs of housing, food, and child care.

HB24-1136, Healthier Social Media Use by Youth, was passed unanimously by the House Educations Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee. The bill requires the Department of Education to compile a bank of evidence-based program materials regarding the mental health impacts of social media use by children and teens.

Our Take: Implementing Clean Slate Gives People the Opportunity to Thrive

Nearly a third of Colorado’s population is currently listed in state databases as having a criminal record -many for a single, low-level, and non-violent offense.

We are thrilled that The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed HB24-1133, Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Changes. This bipartisan legislation makes important updates and clarifications to Colorado’s landmark “clean slate” policy (SB22-099) which was signed into law in 2022. These updates are needed to ensure our clean slate policy can be implemented successfully.

Removing barriers to housing and employment by automatically sealing criminal records of non-violent offenders equips everyone with the opportunity to provide for their families and become more productive citizens.

Take Action: Watch “standing with Center”

In 2019, school leaders in Center, Colorado were alarmed as their high school graduation rates dropped to the lowest in the state. Now, they’re among the highest. Our team at the Colorado Center for High School Success partnered with educators at Center High School to implement a ninth grade on-track approach that is changing the trajectory for their students and community.

We must work to ensure that more students in Colorado can access this support, and that’s why we are championing HB24-1282, which expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program.

What We’re Reading

Chalkbeat Colorado, 2024 Colorado General Assembly: The people’s guide to following education issues

9th Grade Success in the San Luis Valley

High School Success | 02/23/2024

Krista Spurgin Executive Director

In 2019, school leaders in Center, Colorado were alarmed as their high school graduation rates dropped to the lowest in the state. Now, they’re among the highest.

Our team at the Colorado Center for High School Success partnered with educators at Center High School to implement a ninth grade on-track approach that is changing the trajectory for their students and community. We are honored to share this Colorado success story in a video.

Decades of research shows that supporting students by implementing a 9th grade success approach improves graduation rates. The work in Center was supported by a 9th Grade Success Grant from the Colorado Department of Education.

This year, we are working to ensure that more students in Colorado can access this support through 9th grade on-track programming. HB24-1282 expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program, which will allow more Colorado schools to implement the approach that is helping students across our state succeed in high school and graduate on time.

Bill to Support High School Student Success Introduced

High School Success | 02/15/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

HB24-1282, Ninth-Grade Success Grant & Performance Reporting, was introduced. This bill expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program, which will allow more Colorado schools to implement the approach changing the trajectory for our high school students.

Decades of research has shown that supporting students by implementing a 9th grade success approach improves graduation rates, and the impacts in Colorado schools speak for themselves.

Englewood, High School

“It has allowed us to set the bar high and then provide the supports that our students need in order to be able to reach that bar and achieve. Our 10th grade teachers have said they have seen the positive impact that our Ninth Grade Academy has had on our kids,”

Jamie Pollett, Dean of Instruction & Assessment and 9th Grade Administrator

Poudre High School

“The data shows us that it’s the right work. We’re keeping students on-track, and it’s resulting in better student outcomes, including increases in our on-time graduation rates,”

Kathy Mackay, Principal

Center High School

“In addition to graduation rates going from 59% to a 79%, we have seen our 9th grade GPA increase 28%, and the number of behavior referrals given to freshman has decreased by 67%. We believe this to be a direct result of the added emphasis of targeted support for these students,”

Katrina Ruggles, Counselor

HB24-1282 will allow more schools to use these proven approaches to support Colorado students.

9th 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.

We will share more soon about how you can join us in advocating for this critical legislation.

Capitol Week In Review

Capitol Week in Review | 02/13/2024

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

Legislation of Interest

HB24-1133, Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Changes, addresses issues raised through the implementation of Colorado’s “Clean Slate” policy, which automatically seals the criminal records of individuals who are convicted of a non-violent offense once certain conditions have been met. The bill is scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee, February 21st.

SB24-053, Racial Equity Study, requires the state historical society to conduct a study to determine historical and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black Coloradans that may be attributed to state policies, and to identify measures to address those effects. The bill was passed by the Senate Committee on Finance and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

HB24-1004, Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations, creates a process for ex-offenders to receive authorization to practice in state-regulated occupations. The bill is scheduled to be heard by the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on February 15th.

Our Take: Implementing Clean Slate Gives People the Opportunity to Thrive

Nearly a third of Colorado’s population is currently listed in state databases as having a criminal record -many for a single, low-level, and non-violent offense.

Nearly a third of Colorado’s population is currently listed in state databases as having a criminal record -many for a single, low-level, and non-violent offense. For these Coloradans, the stigma of a criminal record can create ongoing obstacles to long-term employment, education, and housing.

SB22-099 was signed into law in 2022, to automatically seal the criminal records of individuals who are convicted of a non-violent offense once they have completed their sentence, a waiting period, and not committed another criminal offense.

In order for this landmark legislation to be implemented successfully, certain clarifications need to be made by the legislature now.

HB24-1133, Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Changes, is bipartisan legislation to address parts of SB22-099 that need to be clarified. When people can provide for themselves and their children, all Coloradans benefit. This proposed update improves outcomes for individuals, children, and entire families.

Take Action: Ask the House Judiciary Committee to Support Clean Slate for Colorado Families!

On February 21st, The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear HB24-1133, which will ensure Colorado’s “clean slate” law can be successfully implemented to automatically seal the criminal records of individuals who are convicted of a non-violent offense.

Email House Judiciary Committee

Please email House Judiciary Committee membe rs and ask them to support HB24-1133 to ensure our clean slate policy can be implemented successfully.

What We’re Reading

Chalkbeat Colorado, Why some Colorado lawmakers say funding for K-12 schools is at 1989 levels

Chalkbeat Colorado, 2024 Colorado General Assembly: The people’s guide to following education issues