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 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.

*Corrections* A previous version of this brief had a typo in the legislators sponsoring the emerging ADU bill - those legislators are Rep. Judy Amabile and Sen. Kyle Mullica.

Colorado’s public college and university leaders have written a letter to the state legislature’s powerful Joint Budget Committee asking for more money than what’s proposed in Gov. Jared Polis’ budget. READ MORE

Over 210 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.

New Bills We Are Keeping An Eye On

• SB24-061: Creating a Drug Donation Program
• SB24-064: Monthly Residential Eviction Data & Report
• SB24-069: Clarify Individualized Education Program Information
• SB24-073: Maximum Number of Employees to Qualify as Small Employer

• SB24-094: Safe Housing for Residential Tenants
• SB24-097: Property Tax Distraint Sale Mobile Home
• HB24-1096: School Psychologist Licensure Interstate Compact
• HB24-1098: Cause Required for Eviction of Residential Tenant

Bills Being Heard in Committee Next Week

Monday, January 29

1:30 PM

Senate Education

• SB24-017: Distribution of State Share of District Total Program
• SB24-014: Seal of Climate Literacy Diploma Endorsement
• SB24-034: Increase Access to School-Based Health Care

Senate Judiciary

• SB24-006: Pretrial Diversion Programs
• SB24-012: Reentry Workforce Development Cash Assistance Pilot Program

Tuesday, January 30

Upon Adjournment

House Health & Human Services

• HB24-1002: Social Work Licensure Compact
• HB24-1019: Crisis Resolution Team Program

House Transportation, Housing & Local Government

• HB24-1007: Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits

Wednesday, January 31

Upon Adjournment

Senate Health & Human Services

• SB24-015: Licensed Professional Counselors in Communities

House Education

• HB24-1082: First-Generation-Serving Higher Education Institutions

1:30 PM

House Health & Human Services

• HB24-1046: Child Welfare System Tools
• HB24-1038: High-Acuity Crisis for Children & Youth

House Transportation, Housing & Local Government

• HB24-1057: Prohibit Algorithmic Devices Used for Rent Setting

Senate Education

• SB24-051: Adult Education

Thursday, February 1

Upon Adjournment

Senate Business, Labor, & Technology

• SB24-050: Colorado Workforce Demonstration Grants Pilot Program

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.

Aurora City Council approves purchase of Crowne Plaza Hotel property for homeless navigation campus

The city of Aurora plans to buy the Crowne Plaza Hotel and turn it into a “regional navigation center” that provides temporary housing and services for people who are homeless.

The city would close on the property in May, and the earliest the facility could open is early 2025, according to city staff. The facility would be used for transitional housing, employment services, workforce development, mental and behavioral health services, case management, emergency and day shelter space and meals.

As the Great Resignation becomes 'The Big Stay,' many companies still overlook a turnover threat

Companies that are shifting their focus from recruitment to retention in 2024 may want to take a close look at their training and development programs.

That's one takeaway from a new survey by TalentLMS and Vyond, which found 41% of U.S. employees will look for another job in 2024 if their company doesn’t provide training opportunities for them.

Companies are tweaking their time-off policies this year — but it's not all about vacation

Many of the nation's companies plan to boost their leave and vacation policies in the next two years, with newly available research indicating those adjustments are likely to include unlimited time office and increased bereavement leave for workers.

According to a study from global advisory firm WTW, about 84% of U.S. companies plan to make changes to their various parental, bereavement and vacation policies over the next two years. About 72% of employers said they want to enhance the employee experience. That percentage was consistent among respondents ranging from companies with 100 employees up to business with 25,000 or more workers.

Rent has never been less affordable, especially for the middle class

Rent has never been less affordable — for tenants with high and low incomes alike — even while costs for new leases are finally cooling off.

Half of American renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs — a key benchmark for affordability — with the financial strain rising the fastest for middle-class tenants. That’s according to a new report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, which found that the number of such renters, considered to be “cost-burdened,” hit a record 22.4 million in 2022 — up 2 million from just three years before. And of those households, 12.1 million had housing costs that ate up more than 50 percent of their income, an all-time high for those with “severe burdens.”

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 nationally 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.