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CCLP in the news

by and | Dec 25, 2017

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This is a partial listing of articles and stories in which CCLP’s work is referenced or featured, or our experts quoted. Updated regularly.

2024

October 1, 2024, The Sum & Substance, Report on hospital facility fees could stir new health-care regulatory efforts

September 23, 2024, National Health Law Program, CCLP and NHeLP file for expedited review of civil rights violations in Colorado

September 2, 2024, The Colorado Sun, Colorado’s minimum-wage increases benefit economy, but many workers are still struggling

August 31, 2024, The Denver Post, Colorado’s Medicaid rolls fall to pre-pandemic level, causing problems for providers

August 30, 2024, Colorado Politics, Property tax cuts again, but who really benefits? | OPINION

August 23, 2024, Daily Camera, Boulder City Council supports increase to local minimum wage

August 23, 2024, Daily Camera, Guest opinion: Julie Van Domelen: Raising the minimum wage is a necessary step for Boulder

August 20, 2024, Law360, Amgen’s Drug Price Suit An Issue For Legislature, Judge Told

August 16, 2024, Colorado Community Media, Petterson, Caraveo, Weiser and Chopra offer ways to avoid getting ripped off

August 14, 2024, CPR, “Medicaid Unwinding” meant some Coloradans lost needed coverage

August 14, 2024, Association of Health Care Journalists, Covering medical debt? You’ll need these resources

July 18, 2024, Denver Bar Association, Welcome to the new president of the Denver Bar Association, Annie Martínez!

July 11, 2024, KFF Health News, Relieving the Growing Burden of Medical Debt

July 11, 2024, Route Fifty, New data tool looks to cure medical debt woes

July 10, 2024, Public News Service, Colorado posts 2nd-highest loss of Medicaid coverage in nation

July 8, 2024, KFF Health News, Colorado Dropped Medicaid Enrollees as Red States Have, Alarming Advocates for the Poor (syndicated in CPR, The Colorado Sun, and USA Today)

July 1, 2024, Denver 7, ‘Access to justice requires us to address these biases’: CO judge’s order aims to reduce bias in the courtroom

June 5, 2024, The Denver Post, New Colorado law adds $2 million in funding to legal aid organizations

June 4, 2024, Colorado Legal Services, New law creates Colorado Equal Justice Fund to support legal aid throughout Colorado

May 19, 2024, The Denver Post, Colorado is about to wipe 100,000 criminal convictions from the public record

May 19, 2024, The San Diego Union-Tribune, A way to support housing options for homelessness into a neighborhood

May 18, 2024, The Daily Sentinel, Health Headlines for May 18, 2024

May 9, 2024, Public News Service, Report: 86,101 Colorado children removed from Medicaid insurance rolls

April 25, 2024, CPR, 15 ways housing, development, and renters’ rights could change in Colorado this year

April 24, 2024, CBS News Colorado, Medicaid mayhem: Tech problems with Colorado’s Medicaid delay critical money for tens of thousands with disabilities

April 24, 2024, Colorado Senate Democrats, Senate committee passes pair of bills to strengthen protections for mobile home park and HOA residents

April 4, 2024, Public News Service, Cutting red tape to access IDs and other vital documents

April 3, 2024, KFF Health News, Medical Debt Affects Much of America, but Colorado Immigrants Are Hit Especially Hard (syndicated in The Colorado Sun; CPR News; Stateline)

March 28, 2024, OPEN MINDS, Lawsuit Alleges Colorado Medicaid Case Management System Discriminatory Against People with Disabilities

March 22, 2024, The Colorado Sun, Colorado Medicaid problems still rampant as state agency tries to address computer, structure issues

March 21, 2024, STAT News, Pharma companies and their allies seek to exempt orphan drugs from state pricing limits

March 13, 2024, Colorado Children’s Campaign, The West Steps: Kids Are Losing Health Coverage at an Alarming Rate

March 19, 2024, Colorado House Democrats, Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents Passess Committee

March 13, 2024, Law Week Colorado, Colorado Legislature Considers a $2 Million Annual Fund for Legal Aid Organizations

March 11, 2024, Colorado Newsline, Colorado leads on medical debt protections, even as health care costs remain ‘out of control’

March 8, 2024, Daily Camera, Broomfield’s annual focus session puts minimum wage, air quality in the spotlight

March 4, 2024, Public News Service, Colorado’s Medicaid insurance terminates seventh highest in nation (and syndicated in Kiowa County Press)

March 2, 2024, The Colorado Sun, Colorado construction workers, pressured by longer, harder hours, die by suicide twice as often as other professions

February 29, 2024, KGNU Community Radio, Colorado Medicaid is failing to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act

February 29, 2024, Denver Business Journal, ‘We want more’: Colorado health care groups say violence prevention bill doesn’t go far enough

February 28, 2024, Rolling Stone, Colorado Is Trying to Cap a Drug’s Price. Big Pharma Has Other Plans

February 28, 2024, The Colorado Sun, Colorado Medicaid is discriminating against people with disabilities, federal complaint claims

February 28, 2024, The Colorado Sun, The Sunriser | Compaint: Medicaid is discriminating against people with disabilities

February 28, 2024, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, 17 Grantee Partners Demonstrate Benefits of Cash Assistance Entering Year 3

February 21, 2024, National Health Law Program, OCR Complaint: Advocates Urge HHS Office for Civil Rights to Stop Colorado Medicaid Cuts, Citing Disabilities Act Violations

February 21, 2024, Inside Health Policy, Advocates: Colorado’s Medicaid Renewals Violate The Disabilities Act

February 20, 2024, The Greenlining Institute (youtube channel), Meet morgan Turner (Colorado): TEEM Platform Launch

February 15, 2024, The Denver Post, Colorado spends less on low-income legal aid than most Western states. That may soon change.

February 13, 2024, Stateline, Governments can erase your medical debt for pennies on that dollar — and some are

February 12, 2024, The Denver Post, An income tax cut is on Polis’ wish list, and Republicans want one, too. Democrats just rejected the first attempt

February 5, 2024, The Colorado Sun, Opinion: Closer look at evictions in Denver shows the good, the bad and the promising

February 2, 2024, Colorado Times Recorder, Bill Seeks To Prevent Colorado Landlords From Using Algorithms To Set Rent

January 9, 2024, KSUT, A new book offers insights on how to support homeless populations while reclaiming our shared humanity

January 8, 2024, Colorado Politics, CO PO Calendar | Jan. 8-14

January 3, 2024, KUNC, Recent landmark Colorado law is taking aim at crippling medical debt. Here’s how it works

2023

December 29, 2023, Aspen Public Radio, ‘When We Walk By’ offers insights on how to support our unhoused neighbors and, in the process, reclaim our shared humanity

December 21, 2023, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Advocacy Groups Sign-On Letter Urging Release of Section 1557 Final Rule

December 18, 2023, Denver Post, Coloradans have been losing Medicaid coverage at pre-pandemic rate following end of public health emergency

December 15, 2023, CNN, Consumer bureau orders debt collection agency to shut down for illegal practices

December 15, 2023, American Banker, Don’t block the CFPB’s plan to provide some relief from medical debt

December 9, 2023, The Colorado Sun, Colorado board won’t cap price of cystic fibrosis drug that costs average of $234,439 per patient per year

November 29, 2023, TheAspen Times, Giving Thought: Supporting our neighbors this giving season

November 21, 2023, CBS Colorado, Cash assistance by Women’s Foundation of Colorado part of growing movement

November 2023, Consumer Federal Protection Bureau, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, CFPB Annual Report 2023 

November 7, 2023, CBS Colorado, Making ends meet in Denver when wages don’t meet self-sufficiency standard

November 7, 2023, Denver Voice, New Book Asks What Happens When We Walk By?

November 6, 2023, Revcycle Intelligence, Consumer Credit Scores Improve After Medical Debt is Wiped from Reports

November 4, 2023, Pauls Valley Democrat, Public health interim studies

November 2, 2023, Urban Institute, Medical Debt Was Erased from Credit Records for Most Consumers, Potentially Improving Many Americans’ Lives

November 2, 2023, NPR, As some medical debt disappears from Americans’ credit reports, scores are rising

October 14, 2023, Daily Camera, Boulder community divided over wait for minimum wage

October 5, 2023, Route Fifty, States grapple with impacts of medical debt

October 3, 2023, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Press Release: Colorado Celebrates Digital Inclusion Week Across the State

October 2, 2023, Public News Service, Agency proposes prohibiting medical debt from credit reports

September 29, 2023, The New York TimesConsumer Agency Moves to Ban Medical Debt From Credit Reports

September 26, 2023, Heart of the Rockies Radio, New Colorado Law Removes Medical Debt from Credit Reports

September 21, 2023, Community Catalyst, Community Catalyst, State Advocates & Impacted Community Members Applaud Biden Administration Action of Medical Debt

September 21, 2023, U.S. PIRG, Consumer Bureau Announces Grounbreaking Plan to Protection Americans from the Devasting Effects of Medical Debt

September 21, 2023, KFF Health News, Medical debt could soon be barred from ruining your credit score (syndicated in NPR, CBS News, and others)

September 21, 2023, KOAA News 5 (via their YouTube Channel), Medical debt removed from credit reports in Colorado, but you should double check

September 21, 2023, KOAA News 5, Medical debt removed from credit reports in Colorado, but you should double check

September 19, 2023, US Representative Rosa DeLauro, DeLauro, Warren Reintroduce Schedules That Work Act

September 13, 2023, Community Catalyst, Day of Action To End Medical Debt Builds Momentum And Adds Pressure On Biden Administration To Do More To Address the Growing Crisis

September 11, 2023, KFF Health News, A Father Dreamed of a Home for His Family. Medical Debt Nearly Pushed Them Onto the Streets.

September 11, 2023, NPR, Medical debt nearly pushed this family into homelessness. Millions more are at risk

September 7, 2023, The Commonwealth Fund, State Protections Against Medical Debt: A Look at Policies Across the U.S.

September 7, 2023, Politico, America’s medical debt piles up

September 6, 2023, The Colorado Sun, Colorado’s county-administered SNAP system is flawed, advocacy groups say

August 23, 2023, Denver 7 (via their YouTube channel), Medical debt? Colorado law says it can’t go on your credit report

August 23, 2023, Denver 7, New Colorado law prevents medical debt from showing on your credit report

August 19, 2023, Boulder Beat, Guest Opinion: Boulder’s families are struggling. Higher wages are needed — now.

August 19, 2023, Daily Camera, Charles Brennan: Current minimum wage falls woefully short for Boulder County families

August 16, 2023, Denver Post, New Colorado law hides medical debt on credit reports

August 15, 2023, KRDO, New Colorado law prohibits medical debt from being included on credit reports

August 13, 2023, Daily Camera, Editorial: Boulder County’s minimum wage plan should be carefully assessed

August 10, 2023, Retro 102.5, New Colorado Law Takes Loads of Stress Off Your Medical Debt

August 9, 2023, Daily Camera, Nearly a quarter of Boulder County families can’t make ends meet

August 9, 2023, Daily Camera, Making Ends Meet in Boulder County presentation and other Boulder events for today

August 8, 2023, Colorado Senate Democrats, New health care laws go into effect

August 8, 2023, Daily Camera, Amos Lee at Chautauqua Auditorium and other Boulder events for today

August 7, 2023, KRDO, Two new Colorado healthcare laws to go into effect Aug. 7

August 5, 2023, Daily Camera, Letters to the editor: Boulder County needs a self-sufficiency wage

August 3, 2023, Boulder Weekly, Money talks

August 2, 2023, Elevated Denver Podcast (linked to Spotify), Hidden Populations Part 2: Working & Priced Out

July 26, 2023, Instagram – We the Patients NY, Health care needs to be made affordable for ALL, not just some

July 24, 2023, Clark Hill, Speaking It Into Existence: A Deeper Dive Into the CFPB Hearing on Medical Billing and Payment Products

July 17, 2023, JD Supra, CFPB holds hearing on medical billing and collections

July 11, 2023, CFPBLive YouTube, CFPB Hearing on Medical Debt and Payment Products

July 11, 2023, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, CFPB Hearing on Medical Billing and Collections

June 24, 2023, Montrose Press, Adult education may be more accessible due to Catlin’s passed bill

June 22, 2023, Colorado Newsline, A tremendous victory for Colorado’s diverse adult learner population

June 22, 2023, Denver Catholic, Colorado Catholic Conference’s 2023 Legislative Recap

June 21, 2023, truthout, Health Care Advocates Celebrate Passage of Medical Debt Relief in New York

June 7, 2023, Jain Family Institute, Press Release: Colorado Expands Child Tax Credit to Parents with No or Little Income

June 7, 2023, Longmont Leader, Longmont keeps regional minimum wage on the table

June 5, 2023, Longmont Times-Call, Longmont City Council to contemplate a regional minimum wage Tuesday

June 5, 2023, Longmont Leader, Longmont council to hear regional minimum wage proposal

June 3, 2023, Denver Post, A new law was supposed to revamp Colorado’s towing industry. Lawmakers say Wyatts Towing is flouting it

May 25, 2023, Daily Camera, Boulder City Council discusses financing of facilities plan

May 19, 2023, Longmont Leader, Report: Boulder County families need over $100K to get by

May 17, 2023, CBS Colorado, Short of staff and beds, mentally ill remain in Colorado’s jails and on our streets

May 11, 2023, Boulder Weekly, ‘A delicate time’

May 9, 2023, Real Vail, Colorado General Assembly Democrats tout legislative accomplishments as session ends

May 9, 2023, Denver Business Journal, Dozens of health care bills head to governor’s desk

May 9, 2023, Axios Denver, 32 ways Democrats changed Colorado in the 2023 legislative session

May 8, 2023, Daily Camera, Event to discuss challenges, solutions to making ends meet in Boulder County

May 5, 2023, Yellow Scene Magazine, Making Ends Meet in Boulder County: Self-Sufficiency and Our Community

May 5, 2023, Coloradoan, Prioritizing compensation: CSU’s budget calls for 4% tuition hike, 5% raise for employees

April 25, 2023, Independence Institute, Bishop: CO Legislature using TABOR refunds to pay for special interest tax benefits

April 19, 2023, Lown Institute, Medical debt and community benefit spending: How states are taking action

April 18, 2023, Western Slope NowHealthcare debt and bankruptcy

April 17, 2023, The Durango Herald, Mercy billing: Seeing double

April 13, 2023, Associated Press, States confront medical debt that’s bankrupting millions (syndicated in Times of India, Colorado Sun, Denver Post9News, ABC News, CPR, and others)

April 12, 2023, Colorado Politics, Colorado Senate OKs letting community colleges issue high school diplomas

April 3, 2023, Colorado Politics, Colorado legislature approves removing medical debt from credit scores, reports

March 2023, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Crisis in the Shadows: Medical Debt in Illinois

March 9, 2023, Wet Mountain Tribune, Details on proposed assault weapons sale ban and a bill that would remove medical debt from credit reports

March 1, 2023, Herald Democrat, Stakeholders criticize county SNAP

March 1, 2023, Colorado Politics, Colorado House OKs removing medical debt from credit scores, reports

February 23, 2023, Denver Business Journal, Colorado hospitals warn of ‘catastrophic’ consequences of proposed bill

February 16, 2023, Fox 31, State lawmakers look to cap medical debt

February 16, 2023, Denver Post, Latino and Black poverty rates in Colorado are near historic lows, but economic stability remains elusive

February 15, 2023, Colorado Politics, Colorado could soon require mediation before eviction for tenants on government financial assistance

February 14, 2023, Denver 7, Colorado lawmakers propose bill to add more patient protections around medical bills

February 9, 2023, Colorado Politics, Colorado House approves prescriptive authority psychologist

February 7, 2023, Loveland Reporter-HeraldLarimer County supports state bill to expand employment training programs

February 3, 2023, The Denver Gazette, Coalition of business industry groups seek to stop ‘Fair Workweek’ bill

January 24, 2023, Nonprofit QuarterlyEliminating Healthcare Debt: A Liberatory Approach

January 23, 2023, Colorado Politics, Colorado community colleges could soon issue high school diplomas

January 18, 2023, Patch, Country School Community Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 3, 2023, The Denver Post, Do you know your rights when your car is towed in Colorado? These DU law students are here to help.

2022

October 28, 2022, Colorado Sun, Medicaid denials for Colorado children with severe disabilities set off “sheer panic” among parents

October 24, 2022, State of Reform, Over 130 organizations coming to the 2022 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference

September 29, 2022, Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Matters, Hospital billing relief; Gerald Albright’s smooth saxophone

September 4, 2022, Colorado Pols, Colorado Week in Review for September 4, 2022

September 2, 2022, The Daily Sentinel – Grand Junction, CO, Hospital discount bill goes into effect

September 1, 2022, Denver 7New Colorado law can help cut medical costs

September 1, 2022, Fox31, New law requires hospitals to screen for and provide discounted care

September 1, 2022, KWGN, Fox31 & Channel 2, Hospital Discounted Care Law Goes into Effect Today

September 1, 2022, KREX, Western Slope Now – Grand Junction, CO, Colorado Hospitals to Screen Patients for Discounts

September 1, 2022, NewsBreakOriginal, Denver launches Business Navigator Program with federal money

August 31, 2022, KRDO 13 ABC – Colorado Springs, CO, ‘Hospital Discounted Care Law’ goes into effect in Colorado

August 31, 2022, KREX, Western Slope Now – Grand Junction, CO, – New Hospital Billing Law for Coloradans

August 31, 2022, Fox21, Hospital Discounted Care law to go into effect

August 31, 2022, Colorado Politics, Colorado hospitals to screen low-income patients for discounts, cap monthly billings

August 30, 2022, The Denver Channel, Frustration grows over Colorado’s response to rising EBT theft

August 29, 2022, Maryland MattersNew safeguards in Maryland and other states may help those who are drowning in medical debt

August 24, 2022, The PEW Chartible Trusts, New Safeguards May Help Those Who Are Drowning in Medical Debt

June 30, 2022, Colorado Politics, Twenty new laws go into effect on Friday, including fentanyl, collective bargaining, state budget

June 24, 2022, Vanderbilt Law News, Brian Ruben named 2022 George Barrett Social Justice Fellow

June 19, 2022, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “One study… of evictions in Denver found that nearly 90 percent of landlords were represented by a lawyer, compared to less than one percent of tenants…” (14:05 in video clip)

May 23, 2022, Colorado Newsline, Mentally ill Coloradans await care in jail for months. Could a new effort clear the backlog?

May 4, 2022, Colorado Newsline, To fund school meals, bill proposes raising taxes on high earners

April 25, 2022, Colorado Politics, Rights for mobile home residents advance without rent stabilization after ‘threats’ from Polis

April 25, 2022, Colorado Politics, Op Ed by CCLP’s Ellen Giarratana: Penalties do not deter addicts

April 14, 2022, The Denver VOICE, Elevated Denver wants to build more collaboration to solve homelessness

March 24, 2022, Colorado Politics, House panel advances cap on rent increases in Colorado mobile home parks

March 16, 2022, The Mercury News, Skelton: Stop taking away child support from California kids, families

March 14, 2022, The Los Angeles Times, Column: California must stop taking away child support from kids and families

March 10, 2022, KVNF Regional Newscast, “A new study shows Colorado food assistance recipients have to pay…” (2:04 in radio clip)

March 8, 2022, Colorado Politics, Battle over physician assistants’ practice in Colorado heats up in both Democratic, Republican caucuses

March 7, 2022, The Sun, Food stamp warning as SNAP claimants are overpaid without knowing – and they’ll be forced to pay back benefits

March 7, 2022, KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM – Colorado’s Morning News, Colorado Center on Law and Policy Bethany Pray on SNAP Overpayments

March 5, 2022, The Denver Post, New report calls Colorado’s dispute-resolution process for SNAP benefits “a system in turmoil” (also published in Greeley Tribune)

March 4, 2022, Pagosa Daily Post, OPINION: Report looks at SNAP violations in Colorado

March 3, 2022, KUSA 9News Denver – Next with Kyle Clark, Why SNAP recipients have to pay back overpayments they didn’t know they received

February 26, 2022, Denver Newsline, More than a million Coloradans could have criminal records automatically sealed under proposed bill

February 10, 2022, Westword, Does the Common Sense Institute live up to its name?

February 2, 2022, Colorado Politics, Colorado Senate bill aims to automatically seal non-violent criminal records

January 26, 2022, National Conference of State LegislaturesMedical Debt: How States Are Supporting Consumers

January 11, 2022, JAMA Network, New State Consumer Protections Against Medical Debt

2021

December 12, 2021, KDVR FOX31 – Problem Solvers, $18K bill for broken wrist? Problem Solvers investigate medical bills

November 17, 2021, Colorado Newsline, The pandemic has been hard. It’s been harder on immigrants.

November 12, 2021, The Denver VOICE, Lawmakers to address fair housing protections for veterans next session

November 9, 2021, KUSA 9News Denver – Next with Kyle Clark, A new study shows that hospitals are not doing what they should… (7:40 in video clip)

November 4, 2021, Colorado Politics, Lawmakers unsatisfied with new judicial protocols for evictions

November 2, 2021, Summit Daily, Silverthorne mobile home park residents concerned about displacement after land sale

October 1, 2021, Chattanooga Times Free PressUsing COVID-19 relief funds, Chattanooga helps expand eviction prevention program

September 22, 2021, Westword, Sealing the Past: Criminal Record Reform Could Help Coloradans Outlive Their Mistakes

September 20, 2021, Westword, Mint Urban Infinity Tenants Ready to Fight Landlord in Court

September 14, 2021, Colorado Springs Gazette, $20M in pandemic housing assistance available to Colorado Springs residents as evictions restart

August 20, 2021, 91.5 FM KUNC, Boost in Food Stamp Benefits Doesn’t Tip Scales Of Inequality In Mountain West Resort Towns

August 19, 2021, KUNR Public Radio, Advocates Argue For Updating Poverty Line (news story halfway down page)

July 27, 2021, Colorado Newsline, Thousands of Coloradans await rental assistance as eviction moratorium expiration looms

July 12, 2021, Denverite, Denver home-ownership totally out of reach

June 25, 2021, Colorado Politics, Equal pay dodge unfair to Colorado workers, say those who worked on Colorado’s law

May 3, 2021, The West Steps Podcast, Birth equity takes center stage

April 20, 2021, Patch.com, ‘Anti-Immigrant’ barriers to public benefits, state licenses would be removed under bill

April 17, 2021, CBS Denver, Coloradans convicted of multiple felonies could seal their records under bill at state capitol

April 2, 2021, Sentinel Colorado, IDENTITY CRISIS — Colorado’s holy grail is a state ID card homeless people struggle to get

March 30, 2021, Colorado Politics, Bill on actuarial review of health benefit mandates makes it out of committee, but not quite to the sponsors’ wishes

March 30, 2021, The Colorado Sun, Opinion: Colorado leaders must enact lasting reform to prevent evictions and promote an equitable recovery (cowritten by CCLP board member Leanne Wheeler)

March 28, 2021, Colorado Politics, Group files ballot initiative for eviction defense, while council works on own proposal

March 17, 2021, Colorado Newsline, Colorado’s laws historically have favored landlords over tenants. A bill at the Capitol could balance the scales.

January 28, 2021, Colorado Politics, Colorado Center on Law and Policy attorney receives national award

January 28, 2021, Colorado Springs Gazette, Moratorium still protects qualifying Colorado renters from eviction, but landlords finding loopholes

January 19, 2021, Colorado Politics, 2 groups announce fiscal sponsorship agreement

January 15, 2021, Colorado Politics, Opinion: Legislators should think big, address inequities

2020

Dec. 30, 2020, Colorado Public Radio, Low-wage workers bear the brunt of Colorado’s economic fallout

Dec. 30, 2020, The Durango Herald, Report shows that rural Colorado struggled before the pandemic

Dec. 30, 2020, The Denver Post, Low-wage workers in Colorado paid a heavy price during the pandemic

Dec. 29, 2020, Colorado Politics, Report: Colorado’s class disparities have gotten worse since the pandemic

Dec. 29, 2020, The Colorado Sun, Opinion: Why Colorado’s economy shouldn’t just return to ‘normal’ after COVID-19

Nov. 30, 2020, The Colorado Sun, Subsidized broadband speeds up but Colorado customers must upgrade to keep discount

Nov. 24, 2020, The Colorado Trust blog, Six months after eviction, Denver woman wonders if she’ll ever have stable housing again

Nov. 23, 2020, The Denver Channel, Denver woman diagnosed with cancer says that repealing the Affordable Care Act jeopardizes her future

Nov. 19, 2020, Colorado Newsline, Navigating housing instability during the pandemic

Oct. 23, 2020, The Colorado Sun, Colorado’s settlement with mobile park operator could set a path for other tenants seeking justice

Oct. 4, 2020, The Denver Post, Colorado is just one of six states where Latinos are more likely to die than white people

Sept. 25, 2020, The Denver PostColoradans borrowing at a high rate to make ends meet

Sept. 11, 2020, Chalkbeat Colorado, Advocates: Put children first in Colorado COVID response

Aug. 23, 2020, Colorado Politics, SHELTER AMID COVID: Beef up tenant safeguards

Aug. 11, 2020, Colorado Politics, Congress must extend COVID unemployment coverage

July 19, 2020, Colorado Politics, Turning to the government during COVID’s wake

July 17, 2020, Westword, Evictions could leave thousands of Coloradans in a lurch this summer

July 15, 2020, Colorado Public Radio, Coronavirus homelessness has already hit Colorado

July 14, 2020, Colorado Public Radio, 30-day notice continues, but is it enough?

July 8, 2020, Summit Daily, Eviction concerns grow as pandemic protections expire

July 1, 2020, Summit Daily, New legislation aims to protect the rights of mobile home residents

June 26, 2020, The Colorado Independent, At every turn, protestors confront a reason to march

June 19, 2020, Colorado Politics op-ed, Legislature made strides for the most vulnerable

May 20, 2020, Aurora Sentinel, Op-ed: Seek help if you’re feeling the lockdown pinch

May 18, 2020, Colorado Public Radio, Would An Emergency Tax Work In Colorado? Progressives Want To Try

May 18, 2020, Route Fifty, Colorado Groups Push for Tax Hike on High Earners to Help With Budget Shortfall

May 18, 2020, Colorado Politics, 135 groups urge state lawmakers to consider three-pronged plan

May 1, 2020, Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Has An Eviction Ban, But ‘Catastrophic’ Threat Still Looms For Renters

April 22, 2020, NBC News, No money, but rent is due: In Colorado few eviction protections as coronavirus spreads

April 18, 2020, Westword, Why Undocumented Coloradans Are Excluded from Rent Assistance

April 3, 2020, The Colorado Trust blog, As Unemployment Soars, Questions Loom for Thousands of Coloradans

April 1, 2020, Colorado Politics, Coronavirus underscores need for safety net programs

March 24, 2020, Denverite, Nonprofit landlords in East Colfax pledge no evictions

March 18, 2020, CBS News4, Coronavirus Update: Temporary Hold on Eviction Enforcement in Denver

Feb. 27, 2020, Families USA, Learnings in Leadership: Allison Neswood

Feb. 9, 2020, The Colorado Sun, Colorado’s Basic Cash Assistance families need a boost out of poverty

Jan. 30, 2020, KDVR FOX 31, Bill suppressing eviction records clears Colorado House

Jan. 30, 2020, The Colorado Sun, Colorado renters may have eviction records even though they’ve never been evicted

Jan. 24, 2020, The Colorado Sun, Colorado’s mobile home owners are about to get more leverage in disputes with park owners

Jan. 12, 2020, The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction), Minimum wage hikes done for now

Jan. 10, 2020, Kaiser Health NewsHigh-Deductible Plans Jeopardize Health of Patients and Rural Hospitals

Jan. 2, 2020, Colorado PoliticsA holiday wish list for Coloradans facing poverty 

2019

Dec. 21, 2019, CGTV, Hungry in America: How Do You Eat if You Lose Your Food Stamps?

Dec. 15, 2019, The Colorado Sun, Opinion: Protect Colorado’s Medicaid enrollees

Dec. 9, 2019, Colorado Politics, Q&A with Bob Mook

Nov. 4, 2019, Kaiser Health News, A Single Underliverable Letter Can Mean Losing Medicaid

Sept. 19, 2019, Scripps MediaBan the box campaign takes on legal barriers to gainful employment

Sept. 16, 2019, Colorado Politics, Q&A with Tiffani Lennon: “When every Coloradan can be lifted up, we all benefit” 

Sept. 15, 2019, The Colorado Sun, Parked: Mobile homes are Colorado’s affordable housing crutch. But they’re disappearing as land becomes more precious

Aug. 15, 2019, KDNK Community Radio, Updates to public charge rule will impact legal immigration

Aug. 5, 2019, The Colorado Trust, Removing a “Lifelong Scarlet Letter” 

July 9, 2019, The Colorado Trust, What It Actually Takes to Make Ends Meet in Colorado 

June 18, 2019, The Denver Voice, Denver’s Eviction Crisis

June 10, 2019, The Colorado Sun, To pay for housing and roads, Colorado lawmakers turned to an unusual source: the public’s “lost and found”

May 31, 2019, Prosperity NowHistoric legislation in Colorado Improves Protections for Owners of Manufactured Housing

May 29, 2019, Aspen Daily News Income levels in Pitkin County are least sustainable in Colorado

May 28, 2019, The Denver Post, Colorado cities can raise minimum wages starting in January 2020

May 28, 2019, Denverite, Getting legal help can be a barrier for low-income Colorado families who need safe, clean housing

May 28, 2019, Denverite: Who’s Next: Hunger – 10 rising stars in the Denver area

April 29, 2019, The Colorado Sun, We pay taxes to help people with disabilities. Why not help them better access that money?

April 26, 2019, Colorado Politics, A couple of bills to boost affordable housing – without a tax hike

April 22, 2019, Real Vail, Colorado Legislature makes affordable housing push in final stretch of session 

April 22, 2019, The Aspen Times, Colorado lawmakers look to fund affordable housing in waning days of session

April 17, 2019, Steamboat Pilot & Daily, Steamboat teachers ask for new tax to fund salary increase

April 16, 2019, Pagosa Daily Post, Help Support Affordable Housing in Colorado

April 8, 2019, The Vail Daily, Colorado’s wage gap

April 7, 2019, Fort Morgan Times, Some lawmakers want to ‘ban the box’

April 2, 2019, The Colorado Sun, It’s the Year of the Renter at the Colorado statehouse

March 22, 2019, Colorado Politics, Docking pay to collect debt digs a hole for poor Coloradans; reform is on the way

March 10, 2019, The Durango Herald, Sen. Michael Bennet aims to tackle childhood poverty with tax credit 

March 6, 2019, Denverite,  It’s the session for landlord-tenant issues in the legislature

March 2, 2019, The Boulder Daily Camera, We’ve measured the living wage. The data is disturbing

March 1, 2019, The Colorado Lawyer,  The eviction crisis in Colorado

Feb. 28, 2019, Westword, Colorado Democrats want to down the eviction process

Feb. 27, 2019, Pagosa Daily Post, Celebrating Colorado’s health care progress

Feb. 13, 2019, Colorado Politics, Giving hard pressed tenants some much-needed breathing room 

Feb. 13, 2019, The Denver Post, Why we should care if that ex-convict can get a job in Colorado

Feb. 10, 2019, The Durango HeraldLow-income residents spend thousands at Durango farmer’s market

Feb 5, 2019, The Denver Post, Colorado’s renters could see fees limited or even returned if new bill becomes law

Feb. 4, 2019, CBS4 Denver, Bill Would Give Renters More Time to Pay Rent

Feb. 1, 2019, KCMJ, Voices and Views: Self-Sufficiency Report

Jan. 30, 2019, Westword, Ban the Box Bill Would Remove Criminal History from Job Applications

Jan. 28, 2019, Colorado Politics, Q&A with Claire Levy | Providing a voice for Colorado’s poor

Jan. 23, 2019, Colorado Politics, The state’s economy isn’t working for everyone

Jan. 8, 2019, The Durango Herald, ‘Ban the Box’ bill targets discrimination against people with criminal records

Jan. 8, 2019, KGNU, The Labor Exchange: Claire Levy on the State of Working Colorado

Jan. 7, 2019, The Colorado Independent,  ‘Ban the Box’ bill would make it harder for employers to discriminate against people with criminal records

Jan. 6, 2019, The Denver Post, With language barriers and other challenges, Greeley’s immigrants and refugees struggling to make ends meet

2018

Dec. 30, 2018, La Junta Tribune-Democrat, The downside of Colorado’s boom

Dec. 30, 2018, Fowler TribuneThe downside of Colorado’s boom

Dec. 23, 2018, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, The downside of Colorado’s boom

Dec. 19, 2018, The Gunnison Country Times, Self-sufficiency not so easy today (commentary)

Dec. 13, 2018, The Colorado Independent, It’s getting harder to be a single mom in Colorado

Dec. 12, 2018, Times-Call Local News, Economic gains can’t keep up with cost of living in Boulder County

Dec. 11, 2018, Pagosa Daily Post, Report Shows Colorado Families Struggling in Boom Economy 

Dec. 11, 2018, Denverite, Colorado Center on Law and Policy Releases Its Report on How Much Income Families Need to Make Ends Meet

Dec. 11, 2018, Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Families Are Struggling Despite a Booming Economy

Dec. 11, 2018, The Denver Post, Two-thirds of Coloradans struggling to cover basic costs don’t even meet the federal poverty definition

Dec. 10, 2018, CBS4 Denver, New Report: 1 in 4 Coloradans Need Public Assistance to Meet Basic Needs

Dec. 10, 2018, The Greeley Tribune, Self-Sufficiency for Colorado: Nearly one-third of Weld households struggle to make ends meet

Nov. 5, 2018, Health Affairs, The View from Colorado: Discrimination, High-Priced Drugs, and Tough Questions for State Regulators

Oct. 29, 2018, CGTN, Working class Americans struggle with affordable housing as rents rise

Oct. 3, 2018, The Vail Daily: As ballot grows in Colorado, attention spans sink 

Oct. 1, 2018, Denverite: New legal clinic for renters facing eviction celebrated in Westminster

Sept. 24, 2018, The Nonprofit Quarterly: Foundations and nonprofits offer support to entrepreneurs of color

Sept. 14, 2018, Pagosa Daily Post: Disabled Coloradans to Benefit from rule change

Aug. 31, 2018, The Denver Post: We need to protect at-risk renters in Denver from an eviction crisis 

August 2, 2018, KVNF: Local Motion: Income Inequality radio interview with Claire Sheridan

July 26, 2018, The Denver Post: Colorado income gains continue to flow disproportionately to the top, study says

July 3, 2018, The Denver Post: Raise cash assistance for needy Colorado families

June 28, 2018, Colorado Watchdog: State agency instructs counties to spend, not save, federal welfare allocations, despite ongoing sanctions 

June 13, 2018, The Denver Post: Low-income renters at risk of eviction in Denver can now seek legal help from a City Council-backed defense fund 

May 30, 2018, Fox 31 Denver: Some Boulder tenants facing 25 percent rent increase

May 29, 2018, Colorado Public RadioWhy Counties Don’t Want Colorado To Raise Temporary Welfare For Its Poorest Families

May 25, 2018, DenveriteDenver’s construction boom means more jobs for workers with records

May 11, 2018, The Longmont Times-Call: Boulder County group to hold poverty simulation in Longmont 

May 4, 2018, The Pagosa Daily Post: OPINION: The Final Countdown 

May 2, 2018, Denver7 News: Eviction cases piling up amid Colorado’s housing crisis

April 26, 2018, Denver Business Journal: Colorado House passes bill to let local governments raise their minimum wage 

April 19, 2018, Denver Business Journal: Colorado Senate committee shoots down efforts to increase arbitration oversight

April 13, 2018, WestwordWhy Minimum Wage Could Go Up More in Some Colorado Towns Than Others

April 6, 2018, The Denver PostColorado should eliminate sales tax on manufactured homes

April 4, 2018, The Denver Catholic: Lend a hand to those seeking employment or job-training

April 2, 2018, Colorado PoliticsA little help goes a long way toward adding job skills for the working poor

March 30, 2018, The Pagosa Daily PostOPINION: Positive Housing Bills from the 2018 Colorado General Assembly

March 26, 2018, The Boulder Daily CameraBoulder Faculty Assembly calls on CU to increase graduate-student wages

March 26, 2018, Kaiser Health NewsKHN Morning Briefing

March 26, 2018, Public News Service ColoradoColorado Senate Pushes Work Requirements for Medicaid Coverage

March 23, 2018, The Fort Collins ColoradoanFight for renters’ rights goes to Colorado Capitol

March 23, 2018, The Pagosa Daily PostOPINION: Work Requirements Don’t Work

March 6, 2018, The Summit DailySummit County residents miss out on $3.2 million in federal food assistance

March 2, 2018, The Denver PostHold drug makers accountable for rising costs

March 1, 2018, The Pagosa Daily PostOPINION: Colorado HB 1260 Addresses High Cost of Prescription Drugs

Feb. 25, 2018, The Durango HeraldMany La Plata County residents eligible for federal aid aren’t enrolled

Feb. 25, 2018, The Grand Junction Daily SentinelPay floor rising

Feb. 19, 2018, Vail Daily NewsThe Longevity Project | Part 3: Despite nation-leading longevity, Colorado mountain communities face significant health challenges

Feb. 14, 2018, The Cortez JournalStudy shows gap between needs and resources in Montezuma County

Feb. 14, 2018, Denver Business JournalLegislative committee backs increase in regulations on free-standing emergency rooms

Feb. 9, 2018, PRIWages for American workers are ticking upward, but the US remains one of the world’s most inequitable nations

Feb. 5, 2018, The Denver PostGrinch America steps up a tad on workers’ wages

Jan. 29, 2018, The Cortez JournalA livable wage: Pathways from poverty tied to age, living costs and, for now, outside support

Jan. 12, 2018, The Denver PostStrengthen tenant rights in Colorado

Jan. 5, 2018, The Colorado IndependentColorado Legislature 2018: Shortfalls in a time of plenty

Jan. 5, 2018, Denver Business Journal8 business issues before the Colorado Legislature

Jan. 4, 2018, The Aurora SentinelLEGISLATIVE PREVIEW: Colorado’s Capitol offense, and defense in 2018

Jan. 3, 2018, The ColoradoanMinimum wage hike hits Northern Colorado businesses

Jan. 3, 2018, The Durango HeraldA livable wage: Pathways from poverty tied to wages, living costs and, for now, outside support

Jan. 2, 2018, DenveriteColorado billionaires doing just fine, workers not so much, new data show

Jan. 2, 2018, The Pagosa Daily Post: OPINION: Thoughts on 2017 and the Road Ahead

Jan. 1, 2018, The Denver PostColorado minimum wage takes second step up in 2018

2017

Dec. 30, 2017, The Boulder Daily CameraBoulder County wages show signs of life

Dec. 28, 2017, Colorado Public RadioWorker’s Friend Or Business Drag? One Year Of Colorado’s Increased Minimum Wage

Dec. 27, 2017, Public News Service ColoradoColorado’s Medical Deduction Helps Put Food on Table

Dec. 23, 2017, The Boulder Daily Camera: Claire Levy: Going backward

Dec. 23, 2017, The Greeley TribuneMinimum wages set to increase, but will they matter in Weld?

Dec. 22, 2017, KGNUMorning Magazine on 12/22/2017

Dec. 20, 2017, The Colorado TrustSome of Us Drown in a Rising Tide

Dec. 19, 2018, The Denver PostShame on Grinch America for workers’ stagnant wages

Dec. 19, 2017, The Denver PostColorado unemployment is super low, so why aren’t wages going up faster?

Dec. 1, 2017, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Higher percentage of area households pay tax, but some may qualify for benefits

Nov. 22, 2017, The Boulder Weekly: Mobile home owners seek to form statewide HOA

Nov. 10, 2017, The Denver Post: Beware of falling taxes 

Oct. 16, 2017, The Pagosa Daily Post: OPINION: Health Care Chaos Can Be Deadly

Oct. 13, 2017, Colorado Public Radio: Does Denver’s New Effort to Curb Evictions Go Far Enough?

Sept. 25, 2017, Westword: Housing Activists Stage Mock Eviction at Office of Major Law Firm

Sept. 22, 2017, The Colorado IndependentColorado renters to landlord law firm: educate don’t evict

Sept. 20, 2017, Fox 31 Denver: What to do when facing eviction  

Sept. 18, 2017, The Pagosa Daily Post:  OPINION: Too Many Coloradans Face Eviction Without Legal Help

Sept. 14, 2017, Colorado Public RadioCensus: Good Times Roll For Most In Colorado, But Disparities Remain

Sept. 13, 2017, The Colorado Independent: Morning Roundup

Sept. 13, 2017, The Denver PostDenver landlords tried to evict nearly 8,000 households last year. The success rate largely depended on one factor: attorneys.

Sept. 13, 2017, The Denver ChannelStudy: Lack of legal representation hurts Denver tenants’ chances in eviction cases

Aug. 5, 2017, U.S. NewsAmid Soaring Rents, Thousands Face Evictions in Colorado

July 28, 2017, The Fort Collins ColoradoanAmid soaring rents, thousands face evictions in Colorado annually

May 23, 2017, The Colorado IndependentReport: Subprime lending giant’s add-on “loan protections” put borrowers at risk

May 22, 2017, The Colorado Springs GazetteAddressing income inequality

May 8, 2017, Aspen Public Radio: What the Republican healthcare replacement could mean for the Roaring Fork Valley

May 5, 2017, The Pueblo ChieftainTipton challenged over keeping promise on health vote

April 27, 2017, The Reporter HeraldHouse committee moves mobile home legislation forward

April 12, 2017, The Denver PostBill requiring landlords to give 3 weeks notice of rent increase or lease termination advances to Colorado House vote

April 10, 2017, The Denver PostQuestions about criminal history don’t belong on job applications

April 5, 2017, Public News Service ColoradoLawmakers Consider Helping Former Offenders Compete for Jobs

March 27, 2017, The Colorado IndependentCO lawmakers want to give consumers more protection against “zombie-debt” collectors

March 26, 2017, CBS Denver Colorado Patient Advocates: Pay Close Attention To Health Care Debate

March 25, 2017, Steamboat TodayColorado bill would extend notice for rent increases, ending contracts and vacating rentals

March 14, 2017, Fox 31 DenverGOP health care replacement bill would have winners, losers

March 12, 2017, The Summit DailyObamacare replacement would have dramatic impacts on Western Slope

March 9, 2017, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Troubles remain for health-care proposal 

Feb. 21, 2017, The SourceCSU’s Fort Collins, Pueblo campuses join forces for social work

Feb. 21, 2017, The Cortez JournalObamacare’s repeal could leave Colorado with high Medicaid cost

Feb. 18, 2017, The Durango HeraldObamacare repeal could leave Colorado with high Medicaid cost

Feb. 9, 2017, PRNewswire: New Analysis: Middle-Skill Gap Means Colorado Employers Struggle to Fill Key Jobs

Feb. 7, 2017, North Denver News: Colorado Bill provides incentives to preserve affordable housing – Senate Bill 98

Feb. 6, 2017, The Pioneer Business ReviewColorado Wage Increase

Feb. 3, 2017, The Summit Daily: Colorado’s mobile home parks are disappearing, but a proposed bill would try to save them

Jan. 28, 2017, DenveriteColorado food stamps, benefit programs start to see much needed improvements

Jan. 19, 2017, The Summit Daily NewsSummit County, other ski resort areas miss out on millions in federal food aid

Jan. 16, 2017, Consumer Affairs: Why you might have to move to get ahead financially

Jan. 15, 2017, The Denver PostFamily HomeStead helps struggling families get back on their feet

Jan. 12, 2017, PRNewswire New report shows 1 in 4 Colorado households can’t afford basic needs

Jan. 12, 2017, Yahoo! NewsNew report shows 1 in 4 Colorado households can’t afford basic needs

Jan. 7, 2017, The Durango HeraldDo not ‘repeal’ health coverage without replacing it

2016

Dec. 30, 2016: The Denver PostRaises coming Sunday for low-wage workers in Colorado

Dec. 28, 2016, The Glenwood Springs Post IndependentGuest opinion: Don’t repeal ACA without a replacement

Dec. 22, 2016, The Colorado Springs GazetteNew economic report shows conditions improving in Colorado, but not for all

Dec. 21, 2016, The Pagosa Daily PostColorado Report Details Wage, Income Gaps

Dec. 20, 2016, DenveriteDenver in 5 minutes: What you need to know today, Dec. 20

Dec. 20, 2016, Denver Business JournalMedian Colorado hourly wage is not yet back to 2007 level

Dec. 20, 2016, Colorado Public RadioIncome For Black, Latino Coloradans Significantly Below Average, Report Finds

Dec. 12, 2016, 5280 Magazine: Local Study Attributes Overall Health to Income, Race

Dec. 9, 2016, Lifezette: Health of Colorado’s Residents is Declining

Dec. 8, 2016, KGNUVital Signs: Health Disparities in Colorado

Dec. 8, 2016, The Denver Post: Colorado’s status as healthiest state under threat, research finds

Nov. 12, 2016, The Denver Post: Are you getting your money’s worth from the ACA?

Nov. 5, 2016, The Kiowa County Press: Report Sheds Light on Seniors Needs

Nov. 4, 2016, Forbes: A Minimum Wage Hike May Not Do Much Harm — Or Much Good

Oct. 31, 2016, The Colorado IndependentWhat would raising the minimum wage actually do? Amendment 70, explained

Oct. 25, 2016, The Grand Junction Daily SentinelAmendment 71 foes trot out Trojan horse

Oct.24, 2016, The Stanford DailyLegal weed is just the beginning

Oct. 21, 2016, DenveriteAmendment 70: What you need to know about the minimum wage increase

Oct. 7, 2016, The Denver PostYes on Amendment 70: It’s a modest increase in the minimum wage

Sep. 28, 2016, The Pagosa Daily PostOPINION: Minimum Wage Opponents Using Scare Tactics

Sep. 26, 2016, The JournalBallot battle over minimum wage intensifies in Colorado

Sept.15, 2016, The Denver PostPoverty falls as incomes rise in Colorado, but rent hikes outpace gains

Aug. 29, 2016, The Fort Collins ColoradoanMap: Your Fort Collins neighbor is hungry

Aug. 16, 2016, Colorado Springs IndependentCO voters will decide on at least four initiatives

Aug. 11, 2016, GCNData maps gaps in Colorado’s human services programs

Aug. 10, 2016, The Denver PostNew “gap map” scores Colorado counties on helping the needy get food, health care

Aug. 9, 2016, Pagosa Daily PostOnline Research Tool Maps Human Service Gaps

July 12, 2016, The Colorado Independent7 crucial questions about Colorado’s minimum wage fight, answered

June 30, 2016, Steamboat TodayRoutt County United Way to shine spotlight on local poverty

June 29, 2016, Vail DailyColorado’s Wage Gap

June 17, 2016, 303 Magazine: Gentrification Through the Eyes of Artists

June 13, 2016, The Boulder Daily CameraAmid pressure from advocates, Boulder mulls higher wages for some city employees

June 10, 2016, The Denver Post: A lost opportunity on affordable housing

May 25, 2016, Journal-Advocate, Help needed for Colorado housing crisis

May 4, 2016, Denver Business Journal: Colorado health exchange won’t need voters’ OK to continue fee on policies

May 4, 2016, Politifact ColoradoReport says ColoradoCare would have higher revenues than McDonald’s

April 29, 2016, The Fort Collins ColoradoanFix sought for Colo.’s $9.2M in food stamp errors

April 26, 2016, The Boulder Daily CameraTime to reclaim local control over minimum wage

April 21, 2016, Biz WestCommunities must work to address housing affordability

April 19, 2016, Denver Business JournalEmployers could get tax credit for hiring from high-unemployment groups under measure

April 19, 2016, The Fort Collins ColoradoanReport: Child care workers can’t meet own basic needs

April 12, 2016, CBS Denver‘Ban The Box’ Bill Would Take Criminal History Question Off Job Applications

March 30, 2016, 5280 MagazineInside the Fight to Increase Colorado’s Minimum Wage

March 25, 2016, Denver Business JournalColorado AG agrees to conversion of InnovAge into for-profit business — with long list of stipulations

March 16, 2016, The Denver PostColorado bill would prevent screening job-seekers solely on criminal history

March 11, 2016, Real VailBill to shine spotlight on skyrocketing drug prices killed in Colorado House committee

Feb. 17, 2016, The Colorado Springs GazetteEditorial: Don’t back minimum outcomes

Feb. 16, 2016, The Boulder Daily CameraBoulder to seek higher wages for city’s contract janitors, landscapers

Feb. 13, 2016, The Boulder Daily CameraBoulder activists push ‘self-sufficiency’ wages

Feb. 9, 2016,The Boulder Daily CameraLeague of Women Voters holds Boulder forum on living wage issues

Feb. 4, 2016,The Longmont Times-Call16.2% of Boulder County kids live below poverty line, report says

Jan. 12, 2016,The Denver PostColorado brings back its Earned Income Tax Credit

Jan. 2, 2016,The Denver PostGuest Commentary by Elisabeth Arenales: InnovAge assets must help elderly, disabled

2015

June 29, 2015, The Colorado Springs GazetteState’s recovery steady, not strong

June 25, 2015, The Durango HeraldRuling has little impact on Coloradans

June 24, 2015, Broomfield Opinion: Guest Column: Self-Sufficiency Standard shows it’s hard to make ends meet in state

June 23, 2015, The Fort Collins Coloradoan: Soapbox: What’s behind Larimer County’s cost of living?

June 17, 2015, Aspen Daily News Online: Teacher pay under microscope

June 16, 2015, Pagosa Daily PostOpinion: What’s ahead for the Affordable Care Act?

June 15, 2015, KUNC: How much do you need to earn just to get by in Colorado?

June 15, 2015, Aspen Daily News Online: Local salaries recovering from economic downturn

June 13, 2015, Summit DailyReport examines wages needed for Colorado families to be self-sufficient

June 12, 2015, Rocky Mountain PBS I-News: Living in Colorado is pricey, but this is how much you really need to get by

June 12, 2015, Colorado Public RadioHow much does a family need to earn to survive in your part of Colorado?

June 11, 2015, Pagosa Daily PostColorado’s ‘Self-Sufficiency Standard’ heads upward

June 11, 2015, Fox 31 Denver: Report: Cost of living up in Colorado, min wage not enough

April 30, 2015, The Boulder Daily CameraClaire Levy: How to pay for affordable housing

April 28, 2015, Inside Real Estate NewsLegislation tackles affordable housing crisis

Feb. 1, 2015, Vail Daily, Child care presents problems for parents

Jan. 26, 2015,Colorado Public Radio:Colorado’s economic recovery has been lopsided at best

Jan. 17, 2015, The Denver Post: Let child support go to kids, not government

Jan. 9, 2015, Denver Business Journal: CCLP report addresses gap between wages, jobs in Colorado

Jan. 3, 2015, The Pueblo Chieftain: CCLP’s Claire Levy on wage discrepancies

2014

Dec. 3, 2014, The Boulder Daily Camera: CCLP’s Claire Levy on local minimum wage

Recent articles

CCLP’s 26th birthday party recap

CCLP celebrated our 26th birthday party while reflecting on another year of successes on behalf of Coloradans experiencing poverty.

Small business displacement and Business Navigators

CCLP partnered with the city and county of Denver to administer a two-year program connecting Denver’s historically underinvested businesses with guides to programs, resources, and services available to them.

HEALTH:
HEALTH FIRST COLORADO (MEDICAID)

Health First Colorado is the name given to Colorado’s Medicaid program. Medicaid provides public, low-cost health insurance to qualifying adults and children. It is an entitlement program funded by the federal, state, and county governments and is administered by counties in Colorado. Those who are required to pay must pay a small co-pay when receiving certain health care services.

State Department: Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Eligibility: Most adults 18 to 64 are eligible for Medicaid in Colorado if their household income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty limit (FPL). Pregnant women are eligible with incomes of up to 195% FPL, while children under 18 may be eligible if the live in a household with income at or below 142% FPL. Some adults over 65 may also be eligible for Medicaid.

Program Benefits: Through Medicaid, low-income Coloradans are eligible for a range of health care services at little to not cost. Services provided include doctors visits, prescription drugs, mental health services, and dental care. Co-pays for certain individuals may be needed for certain services.

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds our Medicaid program through state and federal dollars. Medicaid is an entitlement program, which means that all who are eligible for Medicaid can access the program, regardless of the funding level in a given year. This does not mean that it is always easy to access Medicaid, even when eligible. And since the program is administered by counties, funding levels for county staff and other administrative roles can make it easier or harder for Coloradans to access the program. On top of this, not all medical providers accept Medicaid which limits the ability of Coloradans to seek health services even if enrolled, such as if the nearest provider is a 2+ hour drive away.

Note: This data is from before the pandemic and does not reflect changes in enrollment rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 89.0% of the population at or below 133% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for Medicaid) were enrolled in Medicaid in Colorado.

FOOD SECURITY:
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP helps low-income Coloradans purchase food by providing individuals and families with a monthly cash benefit that can be used to buy certain foods. SNAP is an entitlement program that is funded by the federal and state governments and administered by counties in Colorado.

State Department: Department of Human Services

Eligibility: Currently, Coloradans qualify for SNAP if they have incomes below 200% FPL, are unemployed or work part-time or receive other forms of assistance such as TANF, among other eligibility criteria. Income eligibility for SNAP was different during the study period of this report than today—it was 130% FPL back in 2019 for example. The US Department of Agriculture uses the population at or below 125% FPL when calculating the Program Access Index (or PAI) for SNAP. We follow this practice in our analysis despite Colorado currently having a higher income eligibility threshold.

Program Benefits: SNAP participants receive a monthly SNAP benefit that is determined by the number of people in their household and their income. Benefit amounts decrease as income increases, helping households avoid a sudden loss of SNAP when their incomes increase, even by a minor amount. Benefits are provided to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used to purchase eligible food items, such as fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; and breads and cereals. Other items, such as foods that are hot at their point of sale, are not allowable purchases under current SNAP rules.

Program Funding and Access: SNAP, like Medicaid, is a federal entitlement program. This means that Colorado must serve any Coloradan who is eligible for the program. As such, funding should not be a limit to how many Coloradans can be served by the program. However, funding for administration of SNAP at the state and county level can limit the ability of county human service departments to enroll those who are eligible. Other program rules and administrative barriers can make it difficult for Coloradans to receive the benefits they are legally entitled to receive.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 61.1% of the population at or below 125% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for SNAP) were enrolled.

FOOD SECURITY:
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also know as WIC, provides healthcare and nutritional support to low-income Coloradans who are pregnant, recently pregnant, breastfeeding, and to children under 5 who are nutritionally at risk based on a nutrition assessment.

State Department: Department of Public Health and Environment

Eligibility: To participate in WIC you must be pregnant, pregnant in the last six months, breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age, or a child under the age of 5. Coloradans do not need to be U.S. citizens to be eligible for WIC. In terms of income, households cannot have incomes that exceed 185% FPL. Families who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Medicaid are automatically eligible for WIC. Regardless of gender, any parents, foster parents, or caregivers are able to apply for and use WIC services for eligible children.

Program Benefits: WIC provides a range of services to young children and their parents. These include funds to purchase healthy, fresh foods; breastfeeding support; personalized nutrition education and shopping tips; and referrals to health care and other services participants may be eligible for.

Program Funding and Access: WIC is funded by the US Department of Agriculture. The state uses these federal funds to contract with local providers, known as WIC Clinics. In most cases, these are county public health agencies, but that is not the case in all Colorado counties. Some WIC Clinics cover multiple counties, while others are served by multiple clinics. Private non-profit providers are also eligible to be selected as a WIC Clinic.

Statewide Program Access 2015-17: Between 2015 and 2017, an average of 52.2% of the population eligible for WIC were enrolled in the program in Colorado.

Financial Security:
Colorado Works

Colorado Works is the name given to Colorado’s program for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF. It is an employment program that supports families with dependent children on their path to self-sufficiency. Participants can receive cash assistance, schooling, workforce development and skills training depending on the services available in their county.

State Department: Department of Human Services

Eligibility: In general, Coloradans are eligible to enroll in TANF if they are a resident of Colorado, have one or more children under the age of 18 or pregnant, and have very low or no income. For example, to be eligible to receive a basic cash assistance grant through TANF, a single-parent of one child could not earn more than $331 per month, with some exclusions—and would only receive $440 per month (as of 2022). That said, there are other services provided by counties through TANF that those with incomes as high as $75,000 may be eligible for. In addition to these, participants in TANF are required to work or be pursuing an eligible “work activity” or work-related activity. Any eligible individual can only receive assistance if they have not previously been enrolled in TANF for a cumulative amount of time of more than 60 months—this is a lifetime limit that does not reset. Counties may have additional requirements and offer benefits that are not available in other counties in Colorado.

Program Benefits:  While the exact benefits that one is eligible for under TANF can vary, all qualified participants are eligible to receive a monthly cash payment, call basic cash assistance. Other than cash assistance, counties are have a lot of choice in how to use their TANF funding; generally a use of TANF funds is appropriate so long as it advances one or more of the four purposes of the program: (1) provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of their relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy families on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

It is important to note that those eligible for TANF are also eligible for many of the other programs we’ve included in this report, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and CCCAP.

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds its TANF program through funds received from the federal government through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. Most of the federal funds are allocated by the state to counties, which are required to provide a 20% match of state funding. Federal and state rules allow the state and counties to retain a portion of unspent funds in a TANF reserve.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 50.7% of the population at or below 100% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for TANF) were enrolled in TANF in Colorado.

EARLY LEARNING:
COLORADO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CCCAP)

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program provides child care assistance to low-income families and caregivers living in Colorado in the form of reduced payments for child care. It is a program funded by the federal, state, and county governments and is administered by counties in Colorado. The share owed by parents/caregivers is determined on a sliding scale based on the family’s income.

State Department: Department of Early Childhood Education

Eligibility: Counties set eligibility for families separately, but must serve families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit. Families accepted to the program are no longer eligible once their income exceeds 85% of the state median income. Parents or caregivers must be employed, searching for work, or engaged in another approved activity to be eligible for CCCAP. Parents and caregivers enrolled in Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF) or in the child welfare system are also eligible to participate in CCCAP. Generally, CCCAP serves families with children under 13, although children as old as 19 may be eligible under certain circumstances.

Program Benefits: If a family is eligible for CCCAP and has income, they may likely have to pay a portion of their child’s or children’s child care costs each month. The amount that families owe is based on their gross income, number of household members, and the number of children in child care in the household. As such, households tend not to experience a benefit cliff with CCCAP when they see their incomes increase

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds the CCCAP program using federal dollars it receives from the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. The state allocates federal and state funds to counties using a formula that takes into account factors like current caseloads and the number of eligible residents. Assistance is available until the county’s funds are spent, so the number of families that can be served is often a function of how much funding is available and the income and composition of the household that applies. It is not uncommon for counties to overspend or underspend their allocations of funds. The state reallocates unspent funds from counties who underspent to those who overspent. While underspending could indicate a problem with the way a county administers its CCCAP program, it could just as likely be a sign that there are few providers in the county who participate in CCCAP—or a lack of providers generally.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 10.8% of the population at or below 165% of FPL and younger than age 13 (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for CCCAP) were enrolled in CCCAP.

Housing:
HUD rental assistance programs

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has three housing assistance programs that we look at together: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Project-based Section 8, and Public Housing. In Colorado, these programs provided assistance to over 90% of the households who received federal housing assistance from all HUD programs. Through federally funded, local or regional public housing agencies (PHAs) are the agencies that administer these programs, through not all are available in all counties. These are not the only programs available in Colorado that assist households afford the cost of housing, such as units funded through federal and state tax credit programs.

State Department: Department of Local Affairs

Eligibility: Generally, households with incomes under 50% of the area median income (AMI) of the county they live in are eligible for these rental assistance programs, although PHAs have discretion to select households with incomes at higher percentages of AMI. That said, HUD requires that 75% of new vouchers issued through the Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program in a given year are targeted to households with incomes at or below 30% of AMI. PHAs are also able to create criteria that give priority to certain types of households who are on waiting lists for these programs.

Program Benefits: These rental assistance programs help households afford the cost of housing by reducing their housing costs to around 30% of their household income. In the case of the Housing Choice Voucher program, the PHA pays the voucher holder’s landlord the remaining portion of the rent.

Program Funding and Access: Funding and access are both challenges for these rental assistance programs. In addition to limitations on the number of public housing units or housing vouchers a PHA can manage or issue, lack of funding compared to the need constrains the ability of PHAs to assist low-income households. In 2020, Coloradans were on waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers for an average of 17 months. Waitlists also exist for the other rental assistance programs.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 21.1% of renter households with incomes at or below 50% AMI (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for HUD rental assistance programs) were living in subsidized housing.