The 2026 Colorado legislative session adjourned on May 13. In this issue of Policy Perspective, we provide a summary of ADVOCACYDENVER’s 12 priority bills for this session. ADVOCACYDENVER strongly supported 11 of these bills and opposed one. We then show you how every member of the Colorado Legislature voted on these bills and provide them with a “grade” – the percentage of votes each member cast that were aligned with our position on these bills—and information on whether not Governor Polis has signed each bill into law.
[Read more…] about 2026 Colorado Legislative Report CardHealth Care Policy and Financing Lack of Transparency and Accountability
from the desk of Pamela Bisceglia, Executive Director
As I ready this E-Voice for print, Coloradoans are still sorting out the flurry of final changes made to the Long Bill by Colorado lawmakers. We live in one of the wealthiest states and yet we made profound cuts to Medicaid in order to balance the budget. The cuts to public benefits disproportionately impact children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among the budget drivers that Colorado lawmakers and Joint Budget Committee point to each year are Colorado taxpayer policies (Tabor and Gallagher); opinion in relation to these policies will need to wait for another day—shared over dark chocolate outside of the workday.
[Read more…] about Health Care Policy and Financing Lack of Transparency and AccountabilityColorado Proposes Disability Rights Protections for Students in Public Schools
In this edition of Policy Perspective, ADVOCACYDENVER shares some details on the second of two proposed pieces of legislation that would provide additional protection’s for students in Colorado. ADVOCACYDENVER stands in support of this legislation.
[Read more…] about Colorado Proposes Disability Rights Protections for Students in Public SchoolsColorado Proposes Anti-Discrimination Measures for Public Schools and Universities
This edition of Policy Perspective, provides some details on one of two proposed pieces of legislation that would provide additional protection for students in Colorado. ADVOCACYDENVER stands in support of this legislation.
[Read more…] about Colorado Proposes Anti-Discrimination Measures for Public Schools and UniversitiesDiscussing Colorado’s Medicaid with Senator Judy Amabile (D-Boulder)
An Interview by Paul Baumann
For this issue of Policy Perspective, I had a conversation with Senator Judy Amabile (D-Boulder), a member of the Colorado General Assembly Joint Budget Committee (JBC). A primary responsibility of the JBC is to prepare the state’s budget for consideration by the Colorado House and Senate. Since the state is facing a budget shortfall of over $1 billion, the JBC will be making numerous budget cuts, including significant cuts to Medicaid. Senator Amabile and I focused our conversation on this issue of importance for Colorado’s disability community.
[Read more…] about Discussing Colorado’s Medicaid with Senator Judy Amabile (D-Boulder)Mid-Session Updates
Each year, the Colorado Legislature meets for a 120-day session to revise and create laws and to develop and adopt an annual budget for the state. Monday, March 16 marked the 60th day of the 2026 legislative session.
In this issue of The Policy Perspective, I want to share with you some of the current policy developments that are happening in our state legislature. Below you will find several mid-session highlights on several key issues that impact Colorado’s disability community.
[Read more…] about Mid-Session UpdatesACTION ALERT: Preserve Protections for Students with Disabilities
More than 8 million students with disabilities are served by our nation’s public schools. Since its creation in 1980, the U.S. Department of Education has provided expertise, funding, and enforcement for federal laws that provide protections and services for students with disabilities.
[Read more…] about ACTION ALERT: Preserve Protections for Students with DisabilitiesFood Resources for Denver Residents
Due to the continued federal government shutdown, people who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) may not receive their full food benefits starting on November 1, 2025.
[Read more…] about Food Resources for Denver ResidentsDisability Policy Marches On
by Kaley Day
Colorado’s 2022 legislative session came to a close on May 11th. In a year where continued COVID recovery and an upcoming midterm election loomed, legislators across the aisle came together and championed efforts to advance inclusion, options, and services for individuals with disabilities. Thanks to the exhaustive work of self-advocates, families, community advocates and policymakers alike, five key bills made their way to the governor’s desk and will be highlighted below.
[Read more…] about Disability Policy Marches OnLegislative Wins and a Brighter Future
By Kaley Day and the Arc of Colorado
The 2021 Colorado legislative session began with uncertainty. Amid COVID protocols that required distancing and virtual testimony, economic concerns, and fear that any bill with a fiscal note may not make it to the governor’s desk, advocates and community members were unsure how far their efforts to promote legislation for the disability community would go. In the end there was cause for celebration as the session closed officially on June 8th and the state saw major legislation, some years and decades in the making, passed in order to support and advance the rights of Coloradoans with disabilities.
[Read more…] about Legislative Wins and a Brighter Future