(1) (a) The general assembly finds that:
(I) There is a teacher shortage across the state, particularly in rural areas, which jeopardizes Colorado's ability to maintain the highest standards in education delivery;
(II) There are various causes of the teacher shortage; and
(III) There are resources available, and potentially available, that could help alleviate the teacher shortage; however, due to the unique causes of teacher shortages across the state, there is a need for collaboration to connect local education providers with resources to develop customized solutions.
(b) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the creation of a partnership for rural education is an effective way to reduce teacher shortages in Colorado.
(2) There is created the partnership for rural education preparation on the Denver campus of the university of Colorado, referred to in this section as the partnership, to collaborate with other institutions of higher education to bring customized solutions to local education providers to address teacher shortages. Subject to available appropriations, and in collaboration with local education providers, the partnership shall work with identified local education providers to:
(a) Regularly collect and report data on the current and projected hiring needs for the local education provider, including turnover trends, for teachers by geographic and content area;
(b) Determine the causes of teacher shortages;
(c) Identify available and potentially available resources that align supply and demand when addressing the teacher shortages;
(d) Connect these resources to the local education provider through customized solutions targeted to the specific causes of the teacher shortage for the local education provider;
(e) To the extent possible, identify methods for improving diversity of teachers; and
(f) Provide technical assistance in implementing the local education provider's customized solution.
(3) The partnership shall prepare and submit an annual report for each year in which the partnership is operating to the department of education, the department of higher education, and the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or any successor committees, concerning data collected and strategies identified by the partnership to address teacher shortages across the state.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 23-1-104 (1) to the contrary, the appropriation of money for purposes of this section is not included within the single line item appropriation to the regents of the university of Colorado. Any unexpended and unencumbered money appropriated for purposes of this section remains available for expenditure for purposes of this section in the next fiscal year without further appropriation.
Source: L. 2018: Entire section added, (HB 18-1309), ch. 269, p. 1663, � 9, effective August 8.
23-20-141. Emerging technologies for water management - study - report - legislative declaration - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1268), ch. 258, p. 1516, � 2, effective June 18. L. 2022: (1)(c) amended, (SB 22-030), ch. 59, p. 269, � 3, effective August 10.
Editor's note: Subsection (5) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1, 2023. (See L. 2021, p. 1516.)
23-20-142. Educator well-being and mental health program - reporting - repeal. (1) The university of Colorado health sciences center shall establish and operate an educator well-being and mental health program to provide support services for educators serving students in Colorado's public elementary and secondary schools.
(2) The services provided through the educator well-being and mental health program must include, but are not limited to:
(a) A hotline service for educators, providing daily telephone and text access;
(b) Staffed support groups; and
(c) Training and support programs for educators that focus on coping with stress and building resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery from the pandemic.
(3) The department of higher education shall enter into a limited purpose fee-for-service contract with the university of Colorado health sciences center pursuant to section 23-18-308 to provide state funding for the educator well-being and mental health program to supplement other sources of funding.
(4) On or before November 1, 2022, and on or before November 1 each year thereafter, the university of Colorado health sciences center shall submit a report to the department of higher education concerning the use of state funding for the educator well-being and mental health program, including information about the number of educators served, the services provided, funding received from other sources, and other relevant data and information about the implementation of the program and program outcomes.
(5) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (SB 21-185), ch. 246, p. 1339, � 24, effective September 7.
23-20-143. High-potency THC marijuana and marijuana concentrate research. (1) (a) The Colorado school of public health shall conduct a systematic review of all available scientific evidence-based research regarding the possible physical and mental health effects of high-potency THC marijuana and marijuana concentrates regardless of the location of the research.
(b) The research must study the effect of high-potency THC marijuana on the developing brain and the effect of marijuana concentrates on physical and mental health. The research must systematically curate and synthesize existing research, identify evidence gaps, and identify new research that is needed to better understand the health implications of high-potency THC marijuana products and the specific THC potency levels and amounts at which various health concerns arise. The Colorado school of public health shall report by January 31, 2022, to the finance committee and public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the finance committee and health and human services committee of the senate, or their successor committees, whether they have identified any gaps in the research, and, if there are gaps, what those gaps are, what studies are needed to fill those gaps, the funding needed to complete those studies, and the timeline for completion of the necessary studies. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Colorado school of public health from making recommendations regarding appropriate regulatory measures to the scientific review council created in subsection (2)(b) of this section.
(c) The research must be conducted independently without any predetermined outcomes or undue influence from any party.
(2) (a) The Colorado school of public health shall produce an initial report of its findings by July 1, 2022, and shall provide that report to the scientific review council created in subsection (2)(b) of this section and the finance committee and public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the finance committee and health and human services committee of the senate, or their successor committees. If at any point prior to the completion of the final report the Colorado school of public health believes there is sufficient scientific evidence to make a recommendation regarding appropriate regulatory measures, the Colorado school of public health shall provide those recommendations to the scientific review council created in subsection (2)(b) of this section and the finance committee and public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the finance committee and health and human services committee of the senate, or their successor committees. If after submitting the initial report the Colorado school of public health believes additional research and reporting is necessary, the Colorado school of public health may, subject to available appropriations, conduct additional research and issue additional reports and recommendations to the scientific review council created in subsection (2)(b) of this section and the finance committee and public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the finance committee and health and human services committee of the senate, or their successor committees. If after July 1, 2022, additional research is conducted and sufficient data from that research shows a prevalence of negative physical or mental health outcomes from the use of high-potency THC marijuana or marijuana products, the Colorado school of public health shall submit a report regarding the findings to the scientific review council created in subsection (2)(b) of this section and the finance committee and public and behavioral health and human services committee of the house of representatives and the finance committee and health and human services committee of the senate, or their successor committees. Any recommendations must not include additional criminal penalties related to marijuana concentrate use, possession, or possession of paraphernalia or new crimes related to marijuana concentrate use, possession, or possession of paraphernalia.
(b) The Colorado school of public health shall establish a scientific review council to review the initial report and any subsequent reports produced pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section and make recommendations to the general assembly regarding appropriate evidence-based regulatory changes and the funding of additional necessary evidence-based research. The dean of the Colorado school of public health, in conjunction with the dean of the medical school at the university of Colorado and the dean of the school of pharmacy at the university of Colorado, shall appoint members, with a goal of at least twenty-five percent of the members representing communities of color, to the scientific review council who do not have a pecuniary interest or anyone in their immediate family who does not have a pecuniary interest, who represent an unbiased group of professionals, as follows:
(I) An epidemiologist;
(II) A physician familiar with the administration of medical marijuana pursuant to current state laws with experience recommending medical marijuana to those who are age zero to seventeen;
(III) A medical toxicologist;
(IV) A neurologist;
(V) A pediatrician;
(VI) A psychiatrist;
(VII) An internal medicine physician or other specialist in adult medicine;
(VIII) A preventive medicine specialist or public health professional;
(IX) A licensed substance use disorder specialist;
(X) A neuropsychopharmacologist; and
(XI) A medical or public health expert who specializes in racial and health disparities and systemic inequalities in health care and medicine.
(c) The scientific review council shall post public notice of each committee meeting at least two weeks before the meeting, and the meetings must be broadcast to the public. Nothing precludes the public from submitting written comments to the committee.
(3) Based on its research and findings, the Colorado school of public health shall produce a public education campaign for the general public regarding the effect of high-potency THC marijuana on the developing brain and on physical and mental health. The scientific review council created in subsection (2)(b) of this section shall approve the public education campaign.
(4) The Colorado school of public health shall not seek, accept, or use gifts, grants, or donations to fund the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall be completed using only appropriations from the general assembly.
Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1317), ch. 313, p. 1908, � 1, effective June 24.
Editor's note: This section was numbered as � 23-20-142 in HB 21-1317 but was renumbered on revision for ease of location.
23-20-144. Colorado pediatric psychiatry consultation and access program (CoPPCAP) - created. (1) There is created in the university of Colorado the Colorado pediatric psychiatry consultation and access program, referred to in this section as CoPPCAP. CoPPCAP shall:
(a) Support primary care providers to identify and treat mild to moderate pediatric behavioral health conditions in primary care practices or school-based health centers;
(b) Provide support and assistance to primary care providers with the integration of pediatric behavioral health screening and treatment into primary care practices;
(c) Provide peer-to-peer consultations with primary care providers and integrated behavioral health clinicians;
(d) Identify evidence-based resources and care coordination to support diagnosis, treatment, and referrals for children with behavioral health and substance use needs;
(e) Support all patients seen in Colorado primary care practices regardless of payer or ability to pay;
(f) Create ongoing educational opportunities focused on pediatric behavioral health conditions; and
(g) Create digital resources focused on pediatric behavioral health conditions.
(2) (a) CoPPCAP may enter into agreements with the department of public health and environment regarding the provision of federal health resources and services administration programs.
(b) CoPPCAP may collaborate with state agencies, school-based health centers, primary care providers, integrated behavioral health clinics, and community-based social service or behavioral health providers to provide behavioral health assessment and treatment to children and families.
(3) CoPPCAP is authorized to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations from private or public sources to implement CoPPCAP.
(4) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate four million six hundred thousand dollars from the behavioral and mental health cash fund created pursuant to section 24-75-230 to the board of regents of the university of Colorado to fund CoPPCAP to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative public health impacts. CoPPCAP must spend or obligate this money in accordance with section 24-75-226 (4)(d).
(5) The board of regents of the university of Colorado and CoPPCAP shall comply with the compliance, reporting, record-keeping, and program evaluation requirements established by the office of state planning and budgeting and the state controller in accordance with section 24-75-226 (5).
Source: L. 2022: Entire section added, (SB 22-147), ch. 175, p. 1164, � 2, effective May 17; (4) amended, (HB 22-1411), ch. 271, p. 1959, � 11, effective May 27.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-147, see section 1 of chapter 175, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.
23-20-145. Language access emergency alert study - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)
Source: L. 2023: Entire section added, (HB 23-1237), ch. 177, p. 872, � 2, effective May 12.
Editor's note: Subsection (3) provided for the repeal of this section, effective July 1, 2024. (See L. 2023, p. 872.)
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 23-1237, see section 1 of chapter 177, Session Laws of Colorado 2023.
23-20-146. Universal health-care payment system - research and selection of draft model legislation - analysis - legislative declaration - report - definitions - repeal. (1) Legislative declaration. The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) The final report of the blue ribbon commission for health care reform, created in section 10-16-131 before its repeal, issued in January 2008, and the report of the health care cost analysis task force, created in section 25.5-11-103 before its repeal, issued on September 1, 2021, both clearly showed that a single, nonprofit system for health care can save money, cover everyone in the state, and support better health care;
(b) To achieve better, more affordable, and fairer health care, the people of Colorado need answers to very important questions regarding universal health care; and
(c) An analysis of draft model legislation for a universal health-care system is important in order to determine whether such a system would achieve the goals of better, more affordable, and fairer health care for all Coloradans.
(2) Definitions. As used in this section:
(a) Federal act means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub.L. 111-148, as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-152.
(b) (I) Health-care provider or provider means a person that is licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise permitted by state law to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or in the practice of a profession.
(II) Health-care provider or provider includes a professional service corporation, limited liability company, or registered limited liability partnership organized pursuant to state law for the practice of a health-care profession.
(c) Medicaid means the medical assistance programs established pursuant to the Colorado Medical Assistance Act, articles 4 to 6 of title 25.5.
(d) Medicare means federal insurance or assistance provided by the Health Insurance for the Aged Act, Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. sec. 1395 et seq.
(e) (I) Reproductive health care means health care and other medical services related to the reproductive processes, functions, and systems at all stages of life.
(II) Reproductive health care includes family planning and contraceptive care; abortion care; prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care; fertility care; sterilization services; and prevention of and treatments for sexually transmitted infections and reproductive cancers.
(f) (I) Resident means an individual who is living, other than temporarily, within the state and who intends to establish Colorado as the individual's primary state of residence.
(II) Resident includes Colorado residents who are temporarily living in another state or who are traveling out of state.
(g) Universal health-care system means a single-payer, nonprofit health-care payment system that is publicly financed and privately delivered, under which every resident of the state has access to adequate and affordable health care.
(3) (a) (I) No later than July 1, 2025, the Colorado school of public health shall research and select draft model legislation that proposes a universal health-care system for Colorado that directly compensates providers.
(II) The Colorado school of public health shall make the draft model legislation it selects publicly available on its website so that interested parties may evaluate and review the draft model legislation.
(b) The draft model legislation selected must be created by a Colorado nonprofit organization that prioritizes a universal health-care system that:
(I) Provides comprehensive benefits for medical care, including dental, hearing, vision, and mental health;
(II) Provides long-term care and support services to all residents at least at the level of coverage available to those residents who are eligible to receive medical assistance, as defined in section 25.5-4-103 (13);
(III) Requires health-care decisions to be made by patients and the patients' health-care providers;
(IV) Allows patients to choose among all providers that participate in the universal health-care system;
(V) Provides comprehensive health-care benefits to all Colorado residents;
(VI) Is funded by premiums, which premiums are in amounts that are determined based on an individual's ability to pay;
(VII) Prohibits deductibles and copayments;
(VIII) Ensures fair drug and hospital prices, as well as fair payment to providers;
(IX) Is delivered through a publicly administered nonprofit enterprise that is the sole agency paying for health-care costs in the state; and
(X) Is designed to prioritize benefits and access to care for patients while preventing barriers to care that are imposed for the purpose of increasing profits.
(4) The Colorado school of public health shall analyze the draft model legislation selected pursuant to subsection (3) of this section. The analysis may:
(a) Include an estimate of the first-, second-, fifth-, and tenth-year costs for operating a universal health-care system;
(b) Identify reimbursement rates for health-care providers at levels that result in net income that will attract and retain necessary health-care providers;
(c) Consider a program to cover health-care benefits at one hundred twenty percent of medicare rates for residents and at other reimbursement levels as determined appropriate by the Colorado school of public health;
(d) Consider whether the benefits outlined in the draft model legislation are the same as the benefits required by the federal act and by state law;
(e) Identify health-care expenditures by payer;
(f) Identify costs based on an individual's ability to pay;
(g) Describe incentives and financial implications for hospitals from a global-budgeting-based reimbursement system compared to a fee-for-service-based reimbursement system;
(h) Describe how a universal health-care system provides the following:
(I) Services required by the federal act and by state law;
(II) Services covered under medicare;
(III) Medicaid services and benefits that meet or exceed current services and benefits with provider reimbursement rates that are equivalent to or higher than current medicaid reimbursement rates;
(IV) Medicaid services and benefits for individuals with disabilities who do not otherwise qualify for medicaid;
(V) Coverage for women's health-care services and comprehensive reproductive health care to the extent that those services are allowable by state law;
(VI) Vision, hearing, and dental services;
(VII) Access to primary and specialty health-care services in rural Colorado and other underserved areas or populations; and
(VIII) Behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorder services;
(i) Consider other collateral costs as determined by the Colorado school of public health;
(j) Provide a general cost estimate and suggest potential additional revenue sources to cover long-term care and support services for all residents;
(k) Estimate the impact of implementing a universal health-care system on various socioeconomic groups, including a racial equity impact assessment;
(l) Estimate the impact of implementing a universal health-care system on health-care facilities, private health insurance companies, and the Colorado option health insurance plan;
(m) Estimate the impact of implementing a universal health-care system on health plans that are regulated by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. sec. 1001 et seq., including multiemployer Taft-Hartley health-care trust funds;
(n) Evaluate the feasibility of implementing a universal health-care system by expanding or modifying the Colorado option health insurance plan;
(o) Estimate the impact of a universal health-care system on the cost and development of specialty pharmaceuticals and treatment for rare diseases;
(p) Estimate the impact of a universal health-care system on the price of pharmaceuticals; and
(q) Provide any additional information the Colorado school of public health finds relevant.
(5) The Colorado school of public health may utilize an actuarial consultant in conducting the analysis pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.
(6) On or before December 31, 2026, the Colorado school of public health shall submit a report detailing its findings from the analysis completed pursuant to subsection (4) of this section to the house of representatives health and human services committee and the senate health and human services committee, or their successor committees.
(7) (a) The Colorado school of public health shall submit an application to the all-payer health claims database scholarship grant program, established in section 25.5-1-204.5, to acquire funding to cover any data or software costs that may be incurred by the Colorado school of public health in conducting the analysis required pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.
(b) The Colorado school of public health may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations from private and public sources to access the all-payer claims database.
(8) (a) The Colorado school of public health may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purpose of conducting the required research and analysis.
(b) Unless the Colorado school of public health receives an amount of appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations or money from the grant program pursuant to subsection (7) of this section sufficient to cover the costs of the research and analysis, and the department of health care policy and financing receives enough money in gifts, grants, and donations to implement the statewide health-care analysis collaborative pursuant to section 25.5-1-135, the Colorado school of public health shall not implement this section.
(9) This section is repealed, effective December 1, 2027.
Source: L. 2025: Entire section added, (SB 25-045), ch. 191, p. 847, � 1, effective May 14.