Between engagement related to Denver’s Municipal Election and the Colorado State Legislative Session, the first half of this year has been jam-packed. While the election is still underway, the legislative session wrapped up earlier this month. We’re excited to share this recap of what bills we took positions on, what happened to them, and what comes next.
- HB23-1101: Ozone Season Transit Grant Program Flexibility
- What: Updates to the program established in the 2022 legislative session, which provided funding for transit agencies to offer fare-free transit service during the ozone season. One update of particular interest to DSP was the elimination of the requirement that RTD provide a 20% match to funds granted to them for the program, which was not required of any other transit agency in the state.
- DSP’s position: SUPPORT
- Outcome: PASSED
- Why we took this position: We supported the 2022 bill that established this program, and the changes in this bill offered more flexibility for RTD to continue the program.
- What’s next: RTD is applying to the grant program through the Colorado Energy Office, in order to offer fare-free service in July and August of this year.
- HB23-1202: Overdose Prevention Center Authorization
- What: A bill to authorize the operation of an overdose prevention center (OPC) within a city’s jurisdiction for the purpose of saving the lives of persons at risk of preventable overdoses. Basically, allowing local control over OPCs.
- DSP’s position: SUPPORT
- Outcome: LOST; In the Senate Health and Human Services Committee
- Why we took this position: OPCs came onto our radar as an organization in late 2021, when RTD and the City and County of Denver were ramping up enforcement at Denver Union Station (DUS) in response to an increased number of people publicly using drugs there. At that time, in partnership with the Harm Reduction Action Center (HRAC) and the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety, we called on decision-makers to lead with compassion and dignity and to work to address root causes of issues folks were experiencing. Conversations with HRAC revealed that folks were using drugs at DUS, and otherwise on and around transit, because they didn’t want to overdose and die alone.
Since then, we’ve continued to hear a lot of news and fear-mongering in Denver about drug use on and around public transit—because like it or not, public spaces like our buses and trains are being used as makeshift OPCs today. However, enforcement, fear, and distrust of people who aren’t getting their physical and mental needs met is not the answer. OPCs help meet people’s needs by giving them spaces to be safe and to be treated as humans. This bill would have given decision-makers a new data-backed tool to reduce public drug use, prevent overdose deaths, and connect folks with services and resources they need.
Just like we believe at DSP that no one should be killed in preventable traffic crashes on our streets, we also believe that no one should die a preventable death from an overdose. - What’s next: It is expected that this bill will show up again in the next legislative session. DSP will monitor and work with partners to build support for legislation that will give communities like Denver the authority to pursue OPCs.
- SB23-213: Land Use
- What: This bill aimed to solve the state’s escalating housing affordability and climate crises by allowing more housing options like accessory dwelling units, duplexes, triplexes, and multi-family homes near jobs, transit, and other services. By combining zoning reforms that enable compact development in urban centers with policies that prevent exurban sprawl, this bill was aimed at lowering housing costs while reducing traffic and pollution, and protecting our precious natural resources.
- DSP’s position: AMEND; But a supportive amend position!
- Outcome: FAILED; After first passing the Senate with substantial amendments, then passing the House with further amendments, this bill failed to receive concurrence from the Senate or to be assigned to a conference committee in the final hours of the legislative session.
- Why we took this position: We landed on an official amend position on this bill because we wanted to see the bill strengthened at every step of the process. Overall, we were a very supportive amend.
Land use and transportation are inexplicably linked—housing and transportation are the top two household costs for most families. The status quo forces many to live far from their daily destinations, increasing their transportation costs. We desperately need minimum standards for transit-oriented areas and key corridors, affordability requirements, and the elimination of parking minimums to help alleviate this pressure.
While Denver and some surrounding communities have made progress in recent years, land use and housing affordability are still issues of statewide concern. It’s clear the path we’re on isn’t working and our current system is only perpetuating existing inequities across our state. - What’s next: DSP will continue to work with partners in the Colorado Sustainable Housing Coalition in order to advance these policy changes at the state level in the next legislative session. DSP will also work with partners to advance policy changes that expand access to housing at the local level with the new mayor and city council.
We’re excited to support the successful implementation of HB23-1101 and will continue to work with partners to advocate for other state and local policies that further our organizational priorities, like expanding access to housing and public spaces designed with human dignity in mind.