(News Release from the Colorado Senate Republicans)

​

DENVER – Colorado families can expect to save $4,500 per year once the Colorado Senate Republicans’ 2025 legislative agenda is passed. 

​

Today at the Colorado State Capitol, the Senate Republican Caucus unveiled four bills that will repeal numerous costly fees and rollback several egregious regulations that have been imposed upon by the Democrats.

The four bills specifically address lowering the cost of housing, groceries & utility bills, transportation, and other costs associated with regulatory compliance.

​

The first bill, sponsored by Senator Lundeen, has the potential to save the average Colorado family $2,900 per year on housing costs by cutting burdensome bureaucratic red-tape and making reforms to existing Colorado laws.

​

“By reducing unnecessary costs and regulatory hurdles, this legislation enables developers to build the housing Colorado needs,” Senator Lundeen said at the press conference. “It frees landlords to provide affordable rental options and ensures that all Coloradans—whether they’re seniors, low-income families, or young professionals—can find a place to call home. This is not just about housing; it’s about securing the future of our communities.”

​

First, Senator Lundeen’s bill will make much needed reforms to Colorado’s construction defects laws, which have disincentives the construction of affordable housing. Next, the bill will repeal two previous Democrat bills (HB23-1120 and SB24-094) that have increased the rent prices in Colorado by increasing the costs associated with operating a rental property. Finally, the bill will require that all new energy codes adopted by municipalities be cost effective.

​

The second bill, sponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, has the potential to save Coloradans as much as $1,200 per year on grocery and utility costs by repealing excessive fees and making much needed changes to statute.

“While it may seem like some of these fees will only make a few dollars difference in the grand scheme of things, the reality is pennies add up,” Senator Baisley said at the press conference. “These fees have proven to be devastating on Coloradans’ budgets and, for the betterment of Colorado families, they must be repealed.”

Senator Baisley’s bill will repeal the state’s delivery fee, garbage disposal fee, shopping bag fee, and electric & gas energy fees created by Senate Bill 21-260, Senate Bill 19-192, House Bill 21-1162, and House Bill 19-1033 respectively. The bill paves the way for the development of safe modular nuclear energy development, which has the potential to halve Coloradans cost per kilowatt. 

​

The third bill, sponsored by Senator Scott Bright, will increase Coloradans up to $450 per year in costs associated with transportation by repealing fees and creating a responsible rebate program to lower the cost of gas.

​

“This legislation is about making transportation affordable again for families, commuters, and businesses across our great state,” said Senator Bright at the press conference.

“These fees we will be repealing may seem minute and inconsequential, but over the course of the year, they total several hundred dollars per family. Once my bill is passed, Coloradans can expect to save over $400 per year. Let’s put money back in Coloradans’ pockets where it belongs.”

​

First, Senator Bright’s bill will eliminate fees Coloradans currently pay on fees on gasoline and diesel fuel, passenger ride fees, and short-term vehicle rental fees created by Senate Bill 21-260. It also repeals fees Colorans pay on new tires, created by Senate Bill 19-198. Finally, the bill will reduce the cost of gasoline per gallon by creating a rebate program using existing enterprise funds. 

​

The fourth bill, championed by Senator Janice Rich, will make critical and necessary cuts to excessive bureaucratic red tape, bringing down costs for Colorado families across numerous fronts.

​

“Overall, these regulations may seem like small hurdles that our state’s business must face, but ultimately these regulations translate into higher costs for consumers, and less money in Colorado families bank accounts,” Senator Rich said. “That is why my bill is so important. Colorado families and Colorado businesses can no longer be weighed down with these crushing regulations. We must think of those families who are struggling to make ends meet, and we must give relief!”

​

Senator Rich’s bill will repeal fees and regulations created by Senate Bills 22-193, 20-204, and 20-218, as well as House Bills 22-1362 and 21-1198. These regulations have had rippling consequences across all industries that have crushed Colorado families’ economic prosperity.

​

The bills unveiled by the Colorado Senate Republicans today represent the latest in an ongoing effort by the Senate Republicans to deliver relief for the people of Colorado. Last year, the Senate Republicans succeeded in delivering over $1.75 billion in tax relief.

​

### 

​

​

(News Release From the Colorado Senate Democrats)

​

​

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Senate Democrats unveiled their first ten bills of the 2025 legislative session today.

The bills aim to protect Coloradans’ voting rights, increase affordable housing options, lower costs for families, support workers, and build safer communities.

“This year, Senate Democrats are prioritizing solutions to lower the cost of living, protect our freedoms like the right to vote, and ensure safe, thriving communities,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “We are returning to the Capitol ready to tackle these issues and much more, and I’m excited to see how we will work together to build a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

“Our caucus is well-prepared to deliver results for Coloradans, including more affordable and safer communities, protections for our rights and freedoms, and support for the middle class,” Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, said. “Over the past few years we’ve worked hard to make Colorado a great place to live, work, and raise a family, but there is more work for us to do. I look forward to building on our progress and delivering results that position our state well for the future.”

SB25-001
Senator Julie Gonzales, D-Denver
Representatives Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, Junie Joseph, D-Boulder  

SB25-001, the Colorado Voting Rights Act, would protect current ballot access and shield the state’s election system from efforts to dismantle the federal Voting Rights Act or future attempts to undermine Colorado’s fair and accessible elections. The bill would prohibit voter suppressing election rules and practices that result in participation disparities between different populations, prohibit local governments from using election methods that make it harder for communities to nominate or elect candidates of their choice, and codify protections for voters of color, LGBTQ+ voters, voters who speak languages other than English, voters with disabilities, and voters impacted by the criminal legal system.

SB25-002
Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs
Representatives Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood

SB25-002 would increase the supply of affordable housing options by reducing regulatory barriers to the construction, installation, and inspection of factory-built residential and nonresidential structures, including tiny homes and modular housing. Modular homes are typically less expensive than traditional homes and can be assembled quicker – which can help expand housing opportunities and build more affordable housing options.

SB25-003
Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, Julie Gonzales, D-Denver
Representatives Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins

High-capacity magazines make shootings more lethal by increasing the amount of ammunition that can be fired before a shooter needs to pause to reload. In 2013, Colorado enacted a law prohibiting high-capacity magazines, or those capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. However, AR-15s, AK-47s, and other semi-automatic firearms available in Colorado remain compatible with attachable magazines that hold anywhere from 15 to 100 rounds of ammunition.

To fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition, SB25-003 would prohibit the purchase and manufacture of high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines and the purchase and sale of after-market accessories, like binary triggers.

SB25-004
Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, Janice Marchman, D-Loveland
Representatives Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County

SB25-004 would address the high costs of child care by limiting private child care center application or waitlist fees to $25. Additionally, the bill would require private child care centers to publish a policy for creating fees that would be made available to families before they apply. Under the bill, the waitlist fee may only be used to cover administrative costs, and a deposit fee must be applied to the first month of child care following the acceptance of child care services.

SB25-005
Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge
Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver

Currently, Colorado labor law requires two elections for workers seeking to form a union and collect dues: one that meets the federal standard set by the ​​National Labor Relations Act and a second election which must be won by a supermajority approval of at least 75 percent of those who vote, or 50 percent plus one of all employees eligible to vote, whichever is greater. SB25-005, the Worker Protection Act, would modernize the Colorado Labor Peace Act by repealing the requirement for the second election.

SB25-006
Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco
Representatives Manny Rutinel, D-Commerce City, Mary Bradfield, R-El Paso County

To help give more Coloradans the opportunity to own a home, SB25-006 would unlock additional investment by the State of Colorado in Colorado Housing Finance Authority bonds. The bill would open up $50 million in existing funding from the Treasury for the development of much-needed affordable for-sale housing. 

SB25-007
Senators Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County
Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland

SB25-007 would encourage the use of prescribed fires as a wildfire resilience tool by creating the Prescribed Fire Claims Cash Fund within the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to pay damage claims resulting from qualifying prescribed fire projects. Unintended damage is rare, yet a lack of liability coverage is often a barrier to these beneficial projects happening. These funds would enable beneficial forest health work even when no claims are paid.

SB25-008
Senators Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins
Representatives Meg Froelich, D-Englewood

SB25-008 would streamline the process for certain populations to access necessary documents such as driver’s licenses, identification documents, and birth certificates for free at the point of service. The bill would ensure free access to necessary documents for low income earners, homeless populations, victims of domestic violence, Coloradans impacted by a natural disaster, disabled populations, and elderly Coloradans.

SB25-009
Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge
Representatives Junie Joseph, D-Boulder, Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland

SB25-009 would change Colorado state law to ensure that a state court gives full faith and credit to an arrest warrant and civil commitment issued by a Tribal court of a federally recognized Tribe with a reservation within the exterior boundaries of the state. Civil commitment orders include orders from law enforcement agencies, behavioral health facilities and health care providers.

SB25-010 
Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, Byron Pelton, R-Sterling
Representative Kyle Brown, D-Louisville

To improve efficiency and accessibility in health insurance communications, SB24-010 would allow consumers to opt in to receive electronic communications from their health insurance provider. Under the bill, employers providing insurance coverage may opt their employees in to receive electronic communications, and employees would be given an opportunity to opt out.