Rep. Ty Winter

Maddy summarySB 25-111 is a funding bill that allocates additional state money for specific capital construction projects across Colorado state agencies and institutions. It directly affects departments like Corrections (upgrading facilities), Education (modernizing school buildings), Human Services (replacing fire systems), and higher education institutions (repairing campus infrastructure). The bill provides supplemental funds for concrete improvements such as elevator upgrades, security system replacements, roof repairs, and HVAC modernization at state facilities. This is a procedural budget measure focused solely on funding existing project plans, not creating new policies.

Current law requires mandatory sentencing to at least the minimum of the prescribed range for a person who, within the immediately preceding 4 years, was twice convicted of felony theft from a store and who is once again convicted of felony theft from a store. The bill requires a state court to sentence a person convicted of burglary, robbery, theft, or a related property crime from or of a store, who was convicted of any 2 of the specified property crimes or comparable municipal offenses from or of a store within the preceding 4 years, to at least the midpoint term for the current offense. The bill adds language to the existing theft statute clarifying how a gift card's value is determined for purposes of determining the offense level and associated penalty. If the stolen item of value is a gift card, then the value is the full monetary face value or, in the case of a variable load gift card, the maximum potential value, regardless of whether funds have been transferred to the gift card at the time of the theft. The bill adds gift cards to the list of written instruments subject to forgery. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The bill grants a person who is at least 18 years of age and permitted to possess a handgun pursuant to federal and state law the same authority to carry a concealed handgun as a person who holds a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permit). A person who carries a concealed handgun without a permit has the same rights, limitations, and authority to carry as a person who holds a permit. A person may obtain a permit for the purpose of using the permit to carry a concealed handgun in another state that recognizes a Colorado permit. The bill makes the minimum age to obtain a permit 18 years of age. Under existing law, Colorado recognizes permits issued in other states that meet certain criteria, including that the holder of the out-of-state permit is at least 21 years of age. The bill changes the minimum age for recognition of an out-of-state permit to 18 years of age. Under existing law, a permit is valid for 5 years. The bill makes a permit valid for the life of the permit holder. Existing permits, other than temporary emergency permits, are converted to lifetime permits. Because the bill makes permits valid for the life of the holder, the bill repeals provisions relating to the renewal of permits. The bill repeals the temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill repeals local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry of a handgun, including repealing the authority of special districts and the governing boards of institutions of higher education, as applicable. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) designating September 14-20, 2025, as "Co-Responder Units and Behavioral Health Crisis Professionals Week" in Colorado. It honors professionals who work alongside law enforcement in crisis situations involving mental health or substance use, recognizing their role in de-escalating emergencies and connecting individuals to resources like counseling and housing. The resolution expresses legislative appreciation for their service but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes.

Maddy summarySJR 25-007 is a ceremonial resolution proclaiming February 14 as "Colorado Read to Your Child Day." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of reading aloud to children for early literacy development. The resolution cites research linking early reading exposure to future academic success and reduced educational disparities. This resolution directly affects Colorado residents by designating an annual observance to encourage family reading habits, without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Under current law, a landlord may initiate a no-fault eviction of a tenant if the tenant refuses to sign a new rental agreement with reasonable terms. The bill clarifies that, for purposes of determining whether a new rental agreement includes reasonable terms, a rent increase in the new rental agreement is reasonable if the landlord increases rent in view of fair market rent, as evidenced by the rental amount of comparable properties. Also under current law, a landlord is prohibited from increasing a tenant's rent in a discriminatory, retaliatory, or unconscionable manner. The bill clarifies that a rent increase is not discriminatory, retaliatory, or unconscionable if the landlord provides evidence showing that the rent increase is in line with fair market rent, as evidenced by the rental amount of comparable properties. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Colorado. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of the significance of Black history and contributions to Colorado and the nation. The resolution references historical milestones, including Black laborers, community builders, and civil rights efforts in Colorado, to underscore the importance of this observance. It affects all Coloradans by formally designating the month for recognition and education.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Monday, January 27, 2025, as "Colorado 4-H Day" to recognize the Colorado 4-H Youth Development program. It is a symbolic resolution honoring 4-H's work with youth aged 5-19, including its role in community engagement, leadership development, and STEM education through Colorado State University Extension. The resolution has no legal effect or new requirements - it simply encourages public acknowledgment of the program. (HJR 25-1006, passed by both chambers on January 27-30, 2025)

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJR 25-1007) is a commemorative resolution designating a specific segment of Interstate 25 in Colorado - southbound from mile marker 199.4 and northbound from mile marker 194.8 - as the "Firefighters Memorial Hwy in Memory of Chief Troy Jackson." It honors Troy Jackson, a 30-year firefighter with South Metro Fire Rescue who developed cancer prevention programs for first responders before passing in 2019. The resolution allows the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations for signage and coordinate with Arapahoe and Douglas counties for sign maintenance. As a naming resolution, it has no policy or funding changes beyond this memorial designation.

The bill prohibits a person from selling, offering for sale, manufacturing, or distributing cultivated meat (prohibition), which is defined as a food product produced from animal cells that are grown in a laboratory setting in a controlled environment. A person that violates the prohibition is subject to certain civil penalties and commits a petty offense. The bill also allows the department of public health and environment or a county or district public health agency to suspend or revoke the license of a retail food establishment that violates the prohibition.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)