Colorado 2023 Legislative Session Wraps Up

Yet another legislative session has come and gone, and with it, Colorado democrats racked up several wins including stricter gun control, increased penalties for car theft, and regulations on newly legalized psychedelic mushrooms. Colorado lawmakers introduced more than 600 bills this legislative session, and many made it to the governor’s desk in the 120-day term that ended on May 25.

As previously reported on by OFM, regulations for psychedelic mushrooms are beginning to take shape, with officials estimating that the first licenses for facilities where you can ingest psychedelics will come by 2025. Colorado lawmakers raised the legal age required to purchase firearms from 18 to 21, while also requiring firearm buyers to wait three days before receiving their purchase. Another law signed this session would make it easier for individuals to request Extreme Risk Protection Orders, otherwise known as Red Flag laws.

Another law enacted this year would increase the penalty for car theft to a felony, allocating $5 million to a dedicated auto theft protection fund. Though not all democrats agree that this is the right move. In an interview with OFM earlier this year, then-mayoral candidate Ean Thomas Tafoya says, “Study after study and my own lived experience within my community have shown me that the best way to reduce crime is to reduce poverty.” Tafoya and others have spoken out against the decision to make car theft a felony.

Colorado hospitals will no longer be allowed to charge facility fees for preventative care visits, and are now required to post signs highlighting often overlooked, or under-discussed fees. Colorado lawmakers also capped the price of a dual pack of EpiPens to $60 for those with insurance, individuals without health insurance can now apply to a low-cost program. Automated pharmaceutical vending machines have been approved by the state legislature, which will make picking up prescription drugs as easy as purchasing a bag of chips.

Colorado schools can now hire licensed therapists even if they are not licensed by the State Department of Education to address a shortage. An estimated $2.5 million will be awarded to state preschool providers to incentivize them to participate in the state’s preschool program. Colorado schools will now be required to investigate harassment and discrimination complaints and accommodate students who are on the receiving end of such harassment. Additionally, an Office of School Safety will be founded in an effort to streamline school security protocols and improve crisis responses. A new education program will allow adults aged 21 and older to receive their high school diploma in person for free.

Renters are now protected from eviction without mediation if they are receiving public assistance such as supplemental security income, federal social security disability insurance, or cash assistance through the Colorado Works program. Renters can also use the same background check to apply to multiple apartments in order to save on expensive fees. Another new law gives local government the first bid on multi-unit housing complexes that go up for sale as a way of increasing affordable housing. Colorado landlords are now required to reduce their pet fees, capping at $35 a month, while pet deposits cannot exceed $300.

Employers will now be hard-pressed to skirt around Colorado’s equal pay laws by requiring state labor regulators to investigate and enforce violations. Colorado is the first state to pass a “Right to Repair” law that allows farmers to fix their own equipment after a law mandating manufacturers provide access to parts, tools, software, and manuals for repairs. Beginning in July 2025, calls to prison will now be free in the state of Colorado, making it easier for prisoners to speak not only to loved ones but to legal representatives as well.

Most schools and government workers can now join a union and receive workplace protections, though the entities are not obligated to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. Another law now requires that any public building will need to include a non-gendered bathroom. Lastly, a state-run insurer-of-last-resort will be created to provide property insurance where coverage is not available, such as in areas vulnerable to wildfires.