Making Colorado Safer: Governor Polis Signs Bills to Strengthen Public Safety, Save Coloradans and Businesses Money on Energy, Increase Access to Healthcare, Support Advanced Industries

Trending...
~ Colorado Governor Signs Bills to Strengthen Public Safety, Lower Energy Costs, and Expand Healthcare Access

Today, Governor Jared Polis signed several bills into law at events in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. These new laws aim to make Colorado a safer state, save money for residents and businesses on energy costs, improve access to healthcare, support advanced industries, and more.

At the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Governor Polis signed HB25-1171 - Possession of Weapon by Previous Offender Crimes. This bill was sponsored by Representatives Shannon Bird and Andrew Boesenecker, as well as Senators Nick Hinrichsen and Dafna Michaelson Jenet. Under this new law, anyone convicted of first degree motor vehicle theft will be ineligible to possess a firearm. This measure is intended to keep guns out of the wrong hands and protect communities across the state.

During the signing ceremony, Governor Polis stated, "Today, we are taking important steps to make Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the nation. I am proud of our work to improve public safety in Colorado, and with this bill signed into law, I look forward to continuing our bold progress to protect Coloradans and our communities."

The governor also signed HB25-1177 - Utility Economic Development Rate Tariff Adjustments at the event. This bipartisan bill was sponsored by Representatives Tisha Mauro and Ty Winter and Senators Nick Hinrichsen and Byron Pelton. It aims to reduce utility costs for Coloradans by providing utilities with the certainty needed to secure new investments. This will help lower electricity costs while also advancing climate goals and promoting clean energy.

More on Colorado Desk
Governor Polis explained the benefits of this legislation saying, "In Colorado, utility rates remain below the national average, and this new bipartisan law will help reduce costs, saving Coloradans and businesses money on energy."

Later in the day at SkyView Middle School in Pueblo, Governor Polis visited one of Colorado's 2024 National Blue Ribbon Award Winning schools. This marked the governor's fourth visit to a Blue Ribbon school in the state. He had previously visited Mesa View Elementary School in Grand Junction, DSST: Cedar Ridge High School in Denver, and Zach Elementary School in Fort Collins.

During his visit, Governor Polis stated, "Providing every Colorado student with a high-quality education at every level of K-12 education is important for students' futures, our workforce, and economy. I was honored to visit SkyView Middle School to celebrate its well-deserved national recognition as a blue ribbon school."

In addition to signing bills at the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and visiting SkyView Middle School, Governor Polis also signed several other bipartisan bills throughout the day.

One of these bills was HB25-1184 - Community-Based Continuing Care for Seniors. This legislation was sponsored by Representatives Amy Paschal and Anthony Hartsook and Senators Dylan Roberts and John Carson. It aims to expand access to necessary care for seniors by allowing them to receive care while awaiting admission to supportive living facilities.

More on Colorado Desk
Governor Polis emphasized the importance of this bill saying, "In a Colorado For All, every Coloradan, no matter your age or ability, should have access to the care you need when you need it. Thanks to this law, Coloradans awaiting admission to supportive living facilities will not need to wait before receiving necessary care."

The governor also signed HB25-1157 - Reauthorize Advanced Industries Tax Credit at the event. This bipartisan bill was sponsored by Representatives Brianna Titone and William Lindstedt and Senators Marc Snyder and Mark Baisley. It aims to support advanced industries in Colorado by providing tax credits that will help drive innovation and create jobs.

Governor Polis praised Colorado's innovative spirit saying, "Colorado is a state of innovators, leading the way in the cutting-edge emerging technologies of the future. Advanced industries support hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, find solutions in every sector from transportation to health care and agriculture, and are leading the way."

In addition to these bills, Governor Polis also signed HB25-1270 - Patients' Right to Try Individualized Treatments and SB25-116 - Spousal Maintenance Guidelines. Both of these bipartisan bills were sponsored by a group of legislators and aim to improve access to healthcare and provide guidelines for spousal maintenance.

With these new laws in place, Governor Polis hopes to continue making Colorado a better place for all residents. He stated, "By signing these bills into law, we are taking important steps towards creating a Colorado For All where everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive."

Filed Under: Government, State
Show All News | Report Violation

0 Comments

Latest on Colorado Desk