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Colorado Restores Public Access to Funeral Home Inspection Reports

Colorado Restores Public Access to Funeral Home Inspection Reports

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a bill restoring public access to funeral home inspection reports, reversing a previous decision that blocked such access. The new law aims to increase transparency and accountability in the funeral home industry, following scandals involving mishandled remains. The legislation also increases penalties for corpse abuse, addressing public concerns about industry practices.

Colorado Restores Public Access to Funeral Home Inspection Reports After Scandals

Colorado Restores Public Access to Funeral Home Inspection Reports After Scandals

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a bill restoring public access to funeral home inspection reports, reversing a 2024 decision that had made these records private. The change comes in response to scandals involving mishandled remains and fake ashes, which had raised public concern about transparency in the funeral home industry. The new law, set to take effect in August, will allow the public to access detailed inspection findings, although certain sensitive information will remain confidential. The legislation also increases penalties for the crime of abusing a corpse.

Colorado Restores Public Access to Funeral Home Inspection Reports After Two-Year Block

Colorado Restores Public Access to Funeral Home Inspection Reports After Two-Year Block

Governor Jared Polis has signed a new bill that restores public access to funeral home inspection reports in Colorado. This decision reverses a 2024 law that had made these reports secret, a move that was initially intended to restore trust in the funeral home industry but ended up blocking public access to important information. The new legislation comes in response to public demand for transparency, especially after scandals involving mishandled remains and fake ashes. The restored access will allow the public to see details about the conditions and practices of funeral homes, such as the temperature of body storage refrigerators and the sanitary conditions of the facilities. The state will, however, withhold any photos or information that could identify deceased individuals.

Governor Polis Signs Bill to Counter Federal Coal Plant Orders in Colorado

Governor Polis Signs Bill to Counter Federal Coal Plant Orders in Colorado

Governor Jared Polis of Colorado has signed into law HB26-1226, a bill designed to counter federal orders that mandate the continued operation of coal plants beyond their planned retirement dates. The legislation aims to provide transparency on the costs associated with these federal mandates and supports Colorado's clean energy and climate goals. The bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to approve new resources to help the state meet its 2030 climate targets and requires modern pollution controls for coal plants operating after 2033. This move is a response to the Trump administration's 202(c) orders, which have been criticized for increasing costs and pollution.

Boulder Mobile Home Residents Aim to Purchase Park to Prevent Rent Hikes

Boulder Mobile Home Residents Aim to Purchase Park to Prevent Rent Hikes

Residents of the San Lazaro Mobile Home Park in Boulder County, Colorado, are mobilizing to purchase their community for $42.5 million to prevent potential rent increases or redevelopment by corporate buyers. The residents have until July 18 to secure financing, leveraging a Colorado law that gives them the first right of refusal. The community, consisting of over 800 residents, is working with local organizations and government entities to raise the necessary funds. This effort is part of a broader trend of mobile home communities seeking resident ownership to ensure stability and control over their living conditions.

Colorado Law Mandates Colleges to Provide Abortion Drugs Amid Federal Challenges

Colorado Law Mandates Colleges to Provide Abortion Drugs Amid Federal Challenges

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a new law requiring colleges and universities in the state with student health centers to provide access to abortion medication. This legislation, set to take effect in August 2027, mandates that campus pharmacies offer the medication or provide prescriptions for off-campus pharmacies if they lack in-house facilities. However, institutions are exempt if compliance would jeopardize federal grants, deviate from standard billing practices, or conflict with religious beliefs. The law emerges as federal rules on abortion drugs face legal challenges, with a U.S. appeals court recently freezing rules that allowed telemedicine prescriptions and mail delivery of mifepristone. The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily restored access pending ongoing litigation.

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Surveillance Pricing, Sparking Debate

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Surveillance Pricing, Sparking Debate

Colorado Governor Jared Polis vetoed a bill that aimed to ban the use of surveillance pricing by companies to set wages and consumer goods prices. The proposed legislation was considered the most comprehensive in the nation against algorithmic pricing, surpassing Maryland's recent law that targets grocery store pricing. Governor Polis cited concerns that the bill was overly broad and could inadvertently penalize beneficial uses of technology. The bill, supported by progressive groups, sought to prevent companies from using personal data to set individualized prices and wages. Critics argue that such practices exploit consumer data to maximize profits and minimize wages.

Governor Polis Vetoes Progressive Bills on Surveillance Pricing, Arbitration, and Plastic Waste

Governor Polis Vetoes Progressive Bills on Surveillance Pricing, Arbitration, and Plastic Waste

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has vetoed three progressive bills addressing surveillance pricing, arbitration reform, and plastic waste reduction. The surveillance pricing bill aimed to prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices and wages, but Polis argued it was too broad. The arbitration reform bill sought to make arbitration more accessible, but Polis expressed concerns about its complexity. The plastic waste bill proposed banning automatic distribution of plastic utensils in restaurants, which Polis believed should be a local government decision. These vetoes reflect Polis's cautious approach to statewide mandates and his preference for local governance.

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Surveillance Pricing Amidst National Debate

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Surveillance Pricing Amidst National Debate

Colorado Governor Jared Polis vetoed a bill that aimed to ban the use of surveillance pricing, a practice where companies use personal data to set individualized prices and wages. The proposed legislation was considered the most comprehensive in the nation, surpassing Maryland's recent ban limited to grocery stores. Polis argued that the bill was overly broad and could inadvertently penalize beneficial uses of technology. Consumer advocates criticized the veto, accusing Polis of siding with corporations over consumers and workers. The bill's rejection marks the second time in a year that Polis has blocked similar legislation.

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill on Credit Card Swipe Fees, Citing Business Risks

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill on Credit Card Swipe Fees, Citing Business Risks

Governor Jared Polis of Colorado has vetoed a bill that aimed to prohibit credit card companies from imposing swipe fees on sales taxes starting in 2028. This decision is part of a series of vetoes, including measures to aid firefighters with cancer and allow lawsuits against federal immigration agents for constitutional violations. The vetoed bill, Senate Bill 134, was opposed by the Electronic Payments Coalition and the airline industry, who argued it could disrupt business operations and consumer benefits. The bill had passed narrowly in both the Senate and the House. Polis cited legal risks and limited benefits for small businesses as reasons for his veto, despite support from local businesses who argued that swipe fees on sales tax were unfair.

Colorado Regulators Reject Xcel Energy's $2.9 Billion Gas System Plan Over Environmental Concerns

Colorado Regulators Reject Xcel Energy's $2.9 Billion Gas System Plan Over Environmental Concerns

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has denied approval for significant portions of Xcel Energy's proposed Gas Infrastructure Plan, which involved a $2.9 billion investment in methane gas infrastructure from 2025 to 2030. The decision was influenced by environmental groups' arguments that the plan did not align with Colorado's clean energy goals and would impose unnecessary costs on consumers. The PUC emphasized the need for Xcel to explore cleaner, more affordable alternatives that align with state decarbonization policies. The commission also adopted proposals from public interest groups to better align gas system forecasts with state policies and to offer electrification incentives as alternatives to pipeline replacements.

Gov. Jared Polis Enacts Magnus' Law Following Cyclist's Death

Gov. Jared Polis Enacts Magnus' Law Following Cyclist's Death

Governor Jared Polis of Colorado has signed Magnus' Law in response to the tragic death of a rising cyclist star. The law was enacted in Boulder, aiming to address safety concerns and enhance protections for cyclists. This legislative move comes after the cyclist's untimely death, which has sparked a broader conversation about road safety and the need for stricter regulations to protect vulnerable road users. The law is named in honor of the cyclist, serving as a tribute and a call to action for improved safety measures.