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Monday, February 17, 2025

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N.Y.C. Council speaker calls on Mayor Eric Adams to resign; KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings; OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts; Protesters say Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy.'

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On a Middle East visit, Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejects a Gaza takeover. President's Day protests erupt around the country against White House moves, and another aviation accident draws attention to recent FAA cuts.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Cost of living tops Denver lawmaker’s priorities

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025   

Addressing Colorado's rising cost of living and protecting clean air and water are priorities for Democratic Representative Emily Sirota of Denver in the current legislative session.

Sirota recently introduced House Bill 1090 to regulate so-called junk fees charged by landlords.

The bill would protect tenants from getting bills that can add hundreds of dollars to their monthly rent, for things such as valet trash service, internet service, surcharges on rent payments, pest control and more.

"All sorts of additional fees are being added to folks' bill," Sirota pointed out. "We think if landlords want to charge those fees, they should be reflected in the rent."

Some see junk fees as deceptive and unfair trade practices, because landlords advertise one price to lure renters, but the price is not what they will actually have to pay. Industry groups argued fees are necessary to recoup hard costs and added out all fees are listed in black in white before tenants sign their leases.

Sirota has also introduced House Bill 1011, a measure to add guardrails as private equity firms buy up child care operations, firms already disrupting housing and health care markets.

"And really has been to the detriment of consumers in those sectors because their traditional business model is to increase prices or fees and drive down wages," Sirota observed.

The Trump administration has once again abandoned a promise the U.S. made in Paris nearly 10 years ago to combat climate change, and has instead promised to ramp up fossil fuel production and remove environmental protections. Sirota believes state lawmakers still have a role to play.

"We are trying to make sure that Colorado is able to protect its air and water and meet our climate goals, as we see this being unwound federally," Sirota explained.


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