Headlines — May 09, 2022

Headlines for May 09, 2022

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Colorado Legislature Moves Into Final Scheduled Week Of Session

The Colorado Legislature is moving into the final scheduled week of the session and a flurry of bills is in the final stages. 

Among the initiatives, legislators will hear SB22-172 a bill to expand the health care in Colorado’s rural or frontier counties. As part of the initiative, schools can receive funding to create rural healthcare higher education tracks. 

Another bill, SB22-023, prevents law enforcement from lying to minors in order to get confessions.

After that, there’s a bill to loosen liquor regulations that could allow some grocery stores to sell beer and wine.

The contested mobile home park bill passed Senate Friday without many of the original provisions that would have protected residents. 

The bill did not contain a rent stabilization provision that would have limited rent increases to three percent once a year or at a rate that matches the Consumer Price Index. It also cut back on language that would have made it easier for mobile home residents to form an association and buy the land on which they live. 

Fentanyl Felon Bill Returns to House After Senate Removes Key Provision

Colorado’s state Senate voted to increase fentanyl penalties. After a vote of 18-17 Tuesday, law enforcement may now charge anyone who possesses 1 gram of fentanyl with a felony.

State Will Move Forward On Clean Trucks Bill

On June 30, the state treasurer will transfer $25 million from the general fund to the industrial and manufacturing operations Clean Air Grant Program cash fund. The money will go toward getting high-polluting vehicles off the street and efforts to replace cars with e-bikes. 

A diesel truck emission reduction grant program incentivizes diesel truck owners to swap out polluting vehicles in favor of newer, more environmentally friendly models. Another part of the bill will work similarly for high-polluting buses.

The second part of the bill funds an electric bike grant program. The office awards grant money to local governments and nonprofit organizations that administer an e-bike sharing or ownership program. Some of the money will help cities create e-bike rebate programs for individuals in low-to-moderate-income households. 

Indigenous Students Could Be Eligible For Free Tuition At MSU

Students who belong to any of the 574 federally recognized Indigenous nations and meet Colorado residency requirements won’t have to pay for tuition at the Metropolitan State University of Denver starting this fall. On Saturday, they announced that federal, state, and institutional grants will cover tuition costs.

MSU is the second school in Colorado to create a scholarship program for Indigenous students. According to Denverite, university leaders hope the scholarship will attract more Indigenous students. They also emphasized that resources must go beyond financial assistance to also include, “increased student support services.” 

Denver City Council to Mull Concealed Carry Ban

Denver parks and city buildings may soon be firearm free if a measure proposed by city officials passes later this month. The proposal – which is on Monday’s city council meeting agenda – calls for a firearm ban on grounds owned or partially owned by the city of Denver, with a $999 fine for those caught carrying a firearm. 

Public areas like the Post Office, schools, and federal buildings already prohibit firearms. This most recent focus on parks comes after the fatal shooting of a recognized community leader in La Alma- Lincoln Park in West Denver late last month.

Denver Officials like the Assistant City Attorney have said they feel this would make city-owned places safer, and protect those from the risks of firearms. Those in opposition to the bill feel as if it violates the second amendment of the Constitution. Denver city officials will discuss the bill at a reading tonight.

At Least Two Boulder City Council Members Test COVID Positive After Renewed In-Person Meetings

Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett and City Council member Matt Benjamin tested positive for COVID-19 after two in-person meetings held in chambers on Tuesday night. Eight council members and at least four staff were present at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building for a meeting. 

It’s unclear what this means for the further plans for in-person meetings, starting May 17.  

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