Denver, CO – Today, the Senate passed several initiatives to support vulnerable Coloradans, including mobile-home park residents and domestic abuse victims. The body also fought to protect respiratory health by prioritizing the long-term improvement of air quality. 

SB20-170 Update Colorado Employment Security Act, sponsored by Senator Danielson would make it easier for domestic violence victims to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Currently, the law requires those who are forced to leave their jobs due to domestic violence, to jump through burdensome administrative hoops to receive benefits. SB20-170 removes these hurdles and supports those suffering from abuse.  

“With people being forced to stay home due to the public health emergency, there has been a stark uptick in reports of domestic violence and abuse,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge.” We need to help people stuck in violent situations by removing unnecessary barriers for them to keep themselves safe.” 

SB20-204 Additional Resources To Protect Air Quality, sponsored by Majority Leader Fenberg protects public health from dangerous air emissions by ensuring that environmental regulations are enforced, including measures to eliminate the statutory fee cap and direct the commission to increase fees by a minimum of 25%.

“The “Clean Up Colorado’s Air Act” will ensure Colorado has the resources and scientific expertise to improve Colorado’s air quality. This bill will ensure my generation, my daughter’s generation, and all future generations in Colorado have clean air to breathe,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “Colorado has for far too long failed to meet basic federal clean air standards. With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to impact the respiratory health of Colorado families, there has never been more urgency to clean up Colorado’s air.”

SB20-1001 Nicotine Product Regulations, sponsored by Senator Bridges and Senator Priola raises the minimum age of nicotine products and tobacco sales from 18 to 21, requires relevant retailers to obtain a license, and increases enforcement to prevent underage sales.

“Colorado has the highest rate of teen vaping in the nation, and in a time when our community is being devastated by a respiratory virus, it is more critical than ever that we protect the health of our young people,” said Sen. Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “This bill makes Colorado a leader in keeping tobacco out of the hands of teenagers.”

HB20-1196 Mobile Home Park Act Updates, sponsored by Senator Fenberg and Senator Lee, protects mobile park residents by defining the meaning of retaliation and outlining a process to defend residents when they speak out. Low-income communities have been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people have lost their jobs and are facing unreasonable, aggressive landlords that use retaliatory tactics when they are unable to pay rent. This bill works to protect these Coloradans by ensuring that mobile park owners are not allowed to retaliate against residents with unwarranted evictions.