DENVER, CO – Congressman David Ortiz, Lt. Governor Diane Primavera, Colorado Disability Act Executive Director Andrew Romanoff, and other disability advocates today outlined priority legislation and announced the creation of the Colorado Office of Disability Opportunity.
“As we enter our final legislative session, I am incredibly proud of the legislation we’ve passed over the years to improve basic access, and I look forward to a future where the accessibility issues facing our communities are resolved once and for all,” said Rep. David Ortiz, a Littleton Democrat. “Today, we highlighted some of our legislative priorities, including a new bill that would establish the Colorado Office of Disability Opportunity. Together with disability advocates and state leaders, we are leading the way in breaking down the accessibility barriers our neighbors face and creating a safer, more equitable Colorado for all.”
Some of the bills Ortiz highlighted during his press conference include:
HB24-1360, Colorado Office of Disability Opportunity. This bill would create a new office within the Department of Labor and Employment. The goal of this office would be to implement statewide strategies to promote economic stability for people with disabilities and promote successful economic, social, and community integration.
HB24-1067, Voting Rights for Candidates with Disabilities. This bill mandates the continuation of the caucus process to make it easier for people with disabilities to run for office. This bill also mandates a video conference participation option for precinct caucuses or conferences, unless a person does not have access to a broadband network provider.
HB24-1165, Accessibility at Denver International Airport (DIA). This bill would mandate basic accessibility in certain areas of DIA, including minimum accessibility features such as wayfinding and accessible restrooms with changing stations in each concourse. The bill also creates an advisory committee within the airport to help expand and improve accessibility features as the airport expands.
Other priority bills outlined by Rep. Ortiz include preventing evictions (HB24-1098), curbing workplace violence against healthcare workers (HB24-1066), updating prescription drug labels to make them more accessible to people with vision and reading challenges (HB24-1115), retrofitting rental housing for people with disabilities (HB24-1318), improving access to EV charging stations (HB24-1161), expanding access to testimony in public meetings (HB24-1168), and supporting youth with disabilities in schools (HB24-1063).
Congressman Ortiz has been a longtime advocate for disability rights in the Colorado Legislature. He has led the passage of multiple bills to ensure Coloradans with disabilities have access to legal remedies when they experience discrimination, expanded the Youth Prosthetic and Orthotics Compensation Act, established the Colorado Disability Rights Task Force, and introduced two pioneering right to repair laws specifically for wheelchair users.