GOVERNOR'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER KICKING OFF STATEWIDE BILL SIGNING TOUR AFTER SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE SESSION GOVERNOR'S PRESS RELEASES COLORADO BILL TRACKER GOVERNOR'S WEBSITE LIST OF BILLS SIGNED STATE OF COLORADO JOBS SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE SESSION The evening of May 8th marked the official end of the 2024 legislative session. This highly successful legislative session delivered on the promises made in my 2024 State of the State address on the issues Coloradans care about most. Major highlights from this session include: ✅ MORE HOUSING NOW: We are creating more housing near transit and job centers, giving Coloradans the freedom to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their own property, ending unfair occupancy limits, eliminating unnecessary parking requirements that increase costs, and helping seniors downsize without risking their tax exemptions. ✅ CUT TAXES: We are delivering historic, bipartisan property tax savings, cutting the income and sales tax rates, making the Senior Homestead property tax exemption portable, and providing major additional tax relief to put money back into the pockets of hardworking families. ✅ FULLY FUND SCHOOLS: We are proud of our historic investments in Colorado’s education system, including fully funding our schools and eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor for the first time since 2009, making historic increases to per pupil funding, creating a new student-focused school finance formula, making community college free for qualified Colorado students, and funding new medical and veterinary schools. ✅ CLEANER AIR, BETTER TRANSIT: We are making bold progress to improve and expand access to reliable, low-cost transportation, getting Coloradans where they need to go while protecting air quality. By bringing together the environmental community and oil and natural gas producers, we successfully reached a transformative agreement that will expand funding for transit and conservation, reduce pollution, and make progress towards our bold climate goals. We are also strengthening the Free Fair for Better Air and Free Fares for Youth initiatives, saving people money on transit. ✅ MAKING COLORADO ONE OF THE TEN SAFEST STATES: Colorado is making data-driven investments in proven crime prevention strategies to make Colorado safer. By doubling down on auto-theft prevention efforts, giving the Colorado Bureau of Investigation the tools and funding to stop illegal gun activity, creating gun-free schools and other public spaces, giving law enforcement the support to identify concerning firearm purchases before tragedies occur, cracking down on human trafficking, and supporting victims of sexual assault and other crimes, we are taking important steps to make Colorado communities safer. KICKING OFF BILL-SIGNING TOUR I kicked off my 30-day bill-signing tour in Colorado Springs, where I signed HB24-1304 Minimum Parking Requirements into law. HB24-1304 reduces excessive parking requirements for housing, effectively lowering housing costs in an effort to make Colorado more affordable and livable. On the same day, I signed two more bills in Pueblo, respectively strengthening railroad safety requirements and permitting delivery and takeout of alcoholic beverages, and two bills in Denver, both of which expanded apprenticeship opportunities across the state. I am looking forward to celebrating the many successes of this legislative session throughout the upcoming bill-signing tour. CELEBRATING LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS: MORE HOUSING NOW I was thrilled to sign into law two bills that deliver on my promise of more housing now for Coloradans. On May 13, I signed the bipartisan HB24-1152, Accessory Dwelling Units, at BuildStrong Academy in Denver. This legislation gives homeowners the freedom to build an accessory dwelling unit on their property without costly paperwork and delays, creating more housing opportunities Coloradans can afford, helping homeowners benefit from additional income, and allowing Coloradans to have a space where younger or older family members can live with them.  In the afternoon, I signed HB24-1313, Housing in Transit-Oriented Communities, which allows more housing near transit to be built. The bill signing took place at Evans Station, an RTD light rail station that showcases an example of higher density housing located in close proximity to public transit. I am excited to support transit-oriented communities because they will reduce time and money spent in the car, improve air quality, and create more housing near jobs and transit for Coloradans. Dozens of stakeholders and legislators joined me at both bill signings to celebrate these remarkable legislative successes in creating more housing now in Colorado. Thank you all for coming out to show your support and celebrate these victories for housing in Colorado. ALL ABOARD! I had the exciting opportunity to sign SB24-032, Methods to Increase the Use of Transit, while aboard the B-Line RTD train to Union Station. This bill will provide funding for the Zero Fare for Youth and Zero Fair for Better Air initiatives, which increase access to free public transportation, helping reduce traffic and protect air quality. This bill will also allow transit agencies to continue the successful Zero Fare for Clean Air initiative for the third consecutive year. I rode the train from the signing of SB24-229, Ozone Mitigation Measures, and SB24-230, Oil & Gas Production Fees at the Westminster Station to the signing of SB24-184, Support Surface Transportation Infrastructure Development, at Union Station. CELEBRATING AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. To celebrate this month with the local AANHPI community, I met with small business owners and representatives from the Asian Chamber of Commerce Colorado for a roundtable discussion at Anise Modern Vietnamese Eatery in Denver. We discussed a variety of issues and policy solutions that affect small business owners, such as health insurance for employees, taxes on commercial property, and international supply chain delays. We also reflected on the cultural significance of two AANHPI heritage sites in Denver, the Far East Center and Sakura Square. I enjoyed celebrating the vibrancy and resilience of the AANHPI community and supporting Colorado’s diverse community of small business owners. EVENTS CORNER If you have an event you would like us to highlight, please fill out this event submission form. Veteran Resource Conference - Thursday, June 6 @ Library 21c (1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs) from 5:30-7:30pm. Free food and beverages will be served. JOB OPENINGS AT THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Payroll Officer, Application Closing on 5/22/24 Health Policy Advisor, Application Closing on 5/23/2024 Energy and Climate Federal Funds Officer, Application Closing on 5/28/24 Human Resources Coordinator, Application Closing on 5/28/2024 PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS Community Engagement Newsletter 04-26-24 Community Engagement Newsletter 03-04-24 Community Engagement Newsletter 12-14-24 SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter (@GovofCO) Facebook (@jaredpolis) Instagram (@govofco) Governor Polis | colorado.gov/governor State of Colorado - Governor's Office | 136 State Capitol | Denver, CO 80203 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice