Public News Service

Older Coloradans who may have never been issued a birth certificate because they were born at home qualify for assistance getting vital documents, including identification cards but many cannot access Colorado's Necessary Documents Program. (Adobe Stock)

Cutting red tape to access IDs and other vital documents

Advocates are urging Colorado lawmakers to make key improvements to a state program seen as critical to helping people fleeing domestic violence or ex…

Opportunity Next Colorado will provide guidance on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and college applications, and group coaching over the summer to prevent the drop-off of enrolled postsecondary students known as

New scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs

This year's high school graduates will be eligible for 14,000 new scholarships offered through Opportunity Next Colorado, a $21 million investment …

After lawmakers passed House Bill 1232 in 2021, standardized Colorado Option health insurance was developed with extensive input from consumers, insurers, health providers, rural communities and other stakeholders. (Adobe Stock)

Tracking effectiveness of Colorado’s Public Option health coverage

Colorado's standardized health-insurance plan, known as the Colorado Option, is changing how consumers interact with insurance, according to a new …

Health advocates are urging the Polis administration to put terminations for vulnerable populations on hold while the state digs into what is causing outsize losses of Medicaid coverage. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado’s Medicaid insurance terminations seventh highest in nation

Two-thirds of Coloradans who have lost their health insurance during Medicaid's unwinding process are still eligible for coverage - but were terminate…

Tepeyac Community Health Center's new 24,500 square foot facility that serves all patients regardless of their ability to pay is just blocks away from public transit stops. (Galatas)

Health center development offers innovative model for affordable housing

A new development in Denver's Elyria-Swansea neighborhood that combines affordable housing, a healthcare provider, a pharmacy - and next, a grocery …

Las nuevas instalaciones de 24,500 pies cuadrados del Centro Comunitario de Salud Tepeyac, atiende a todos los pacientes independientemente de su capacidad de pago, y est� a s�lo unas cuadras de paradas de transporte p�blico. (Galatas)

El desarrollo de centro de salud ofrece modelo innovador de vivienda asequible

Un nuevo desarrollo en el barrio Elyria-Swansea de Denver, que combina viviendas asequibles, un proveedor de atención médica, una farmacia …

La falta de claridad en torno a la cobertura de los Beneficios de Salud Esenciales para la atenci�n materna a nivel federal significa que muchas pacientes encuentran l�mites en los servicios prenatales y de parto cubiertos, y una cobertura inconsistente de los servicios de lactancia. (Adobe)

Defensores presionan para actualizar la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio

El número de personas con cobertura médica de la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio está en aumento, pero muchos no son capaces …

Lack of clarity around Essential Health Benefit coverage for maternal health care at the federal level means that many patients encounter limits on prenatal and delivery services covered, and inconsistent coverage of breastfeeding and lactation services. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates press Biden to update Affordable Care Act essential benefits

The number of people with Affordable Care Act health coverage is on the rise, but many are not able to access the care they need to get and stay …

The Colorado Avalanche and Xcel Energy are helping fundraise for Energy Outreach Colorado, a nonprofit that in 2023 helped more than 38,289 Colorado households through energy efficiency gains, connecting with community solar gardens and crisis-intervention services. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Avalanche scores an assist on energy bills

The Colorado Avalanche has teamed up with Xcel Energy to generate funds to help people struggling to pay their energy bills this winter. Every time …

Over the past two years, corporate executives have been explicit in earnings reports about how they have exploited their pricing power to boost profits, and how they will continue to do so even as inflation comes down. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 'Greedflation' primary driver of higher consumer prices

As corporate profits remain at all-time highs, a new report shows that more than half of rising consumer prices in 2023 were caused by corporate …

The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, Feeding Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, Nourish Colorado and other advocates across the state are calling on Colorado's Congressional delegation to help avoid massive funding cuts for WIC in the federal government's 2024 budget. (Adobe Stock)

25,000 Colorado families could lose access to food and health assistance

Congress is running out of time to fully fund a program that provides food and health support for breastfeeding moms, and kids up to age five…

Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, Feeding Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, Nourish Colorado y otros defensores en todo el estado est�n pidiendo a la delegaci�n del Congreso de CO su ayuda para evitar recortes masivos de fondos para WIC en el presupuesto del gobierno federal para 2024. (Adobe Stock)

25,000 familias de CO podrian perder acceso a atención médica y alimentaria

El Congreso se está quedando sin tiempo para financiar completamente un programa que proporciona apoyo alimentario y de salud a madres lactantes …

Nine out of ten employers in the state say they have jobs to fill but can't find skilled workers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Post-high school certificates, degrees offer good ROI

Coloradans who graduate from college or trade schools are ready to join the labor market equipped with high-demand, highly competitive skills needed …

Nueve de cada diez empleadores en el estado dicen que tienen puestos de trabajo que cubrir, pero no pueden encontrar trabajadores calificados. (Adobe Stock)

Certificados y títulos post-secundarios ofrecen buen retorno de la inversión

Los habitantes de Colorado que se gradúan de la universidad o de las escuelas vocacionales están listos para unirse al mercado laboral equip…

In 2022, 29.3 million adults, representing 11.2% of the population, reported having three or more chronic conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Colorado 12th healthiest state in nation as chronic conditions rise

Colorado is the 12th healthiest state in the nation, according to the latest America's Health Rankings report. But the number of Coloradans dealing …

Not having money for out of pocket costs, not being able to take time off work and a lack of reliable transportation are some of the barriers to accessing preventative care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Coloradans able to access preventative health care

Overall, more Coloradans are getting the care they need to stay healthy compared to previous years, according to a new analysis of data in the …

No tener dinero para pagar del bolsillo, no poder ausentarse del trabajo y la falta de medios de transporte confiables son algunos de los obst�culos para acceder a la atenci�n preventiva. (Adobe Stock)

Informe: Más habitantes de CO pueden acceder a atención médica preventiva

En general, más habitantes de Colorado están recibiendo la atención que necesitan para mantenerse sanos en comparación con añ…

Colorado rate payers are still on the hook for $500 million after grid failures in Texas created a spike in natural gas prices in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Coloradans brace for winter heating bills

After Coloradans cranked up the heat to welcome family members for Thanksgiving dinner, many are worried about the price they will pay when their …

States wanting to implement Summer EBT this coming summer need to have plans in place by early 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Special session could boost food security for kids in summer

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called a special legislative session after voters rejected plans to provide property tax relief. Polis says he also …

Los Estados que deseen implementar el EBT de este pr�ximo verano deben tener planes para principios de 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Sesión especial aumentaría seguridad alimentaria para niños en verano

El gobernador de Colorado, Jared Polis, convocó a una sesión legislativa especial después de que votantes rechazaran los planes para …

Community-based organizations applied for grants from $5,000 to $20,000, to support and actively promote the Healthy School Meals for All program locally. (Adobe Stock)

Free Healthy School Meals for Public School Students Underway

After Colorado voters approved a measure to provide free meals to all public school students regardless of their ability to pay last year, 41 …

While enrollment in SilverEnhanced Savings has hit the funding cap, undocumented Coloradans who are not eligible for other programs can still get health insurance through Omni-Salud. (Adobe Stock)

Strong demand among undocumented Coloradans for health coverage

Colorado's Omni-Salud program - which allows low-income undocumented Coloradans and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients to enroll in aff…

Solar canopies are expected to produce nearly 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, and eliminate 70,000 metric tons of climate pollution over the next decade. (Adobe Stock)

Solar canopies throw shade on Colorado school parking lots

Colorado schools are joining the struggle to hold off the worst impacts of climate change and lower their energy bills by installing solar canopies on…

Financial literacy fairs allow young people to make mistakes with their finances in a realistic but safe environment while developing problem-solving skills around their finances. (Adobe Stock)

CO students get bites of reality in financial planning

Credit unions in Colorado and across the Mountain West are helping high school students tackle money challenges through "Bites of Reality" fairs…

The cost efficiencies of bundling medical, oral and behavioral health services at federally qualified community health centers has produced better outcomes than most primary care practices can demonstrate year after year. (Adobe Stock)

Re-investing Medicare savings in Colorado’s safety net health centers

Colorado's safety net community health centers are getting a boost in funding after saving Medicare over $15 million last year, serving nearly 14,000 …

La rentabilidad de agrupar servicios de salud m�dica, bucal y conductual en centros de salud comunitarios a nivel federal ha producido mejores resultados que los que la mayor�a de las consultas de atenci�n primaria pueden demostrar a�o tras a�o. (Adobe Stock)

Reinvertir ahorros de Medicare en centros de salud de Colorado

Los centros de salud comunitarios de la red de seguridad de Colorado están recibiendo un impulso en su financiación después de ahorrarl…

September marked the planet's fourth-hottest month in a row, and 2023 is on track to be the hottest year on record. (Adobe Stock)

Surge in renewables keeps hopes of averting worst climate impacts alive

Record growth in wind and solar energy, battery storage and electric vehicle sales have kept the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 within …

One in eight Coloradans, roughly 700,000 residents, currently hold some form of medical debt in collection. (Adobe Stock)

Agency proposes prohibiting medical debt from credit reports

The 100 million Americans currently carrying medical or dental debt could get some relief, after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took steps …

Starting January 1, 2024, a pregnancy opens a special enrollment period for health insurance, after Colorado lawmakers passed House Bill 22-1289. Coverage is retroactive to the month a pregnancy was certified by a health provider. (Adobe Stock)

Health Exchange Open for Coloradans Dropped from Medicaid Rolls

Coloradans who were dropped from the state's Medicaid health insurance plan, Health First Colorado, can sign up for new coverage before open …

Food to Power, a group in Colorado Springs, has redistributed more than $6 million of healthy groceries to struggling families since 2013. (Adobe Stock)

Harvest Celebration Marks Decades-Long Quest to Address Food Insecurity

This year's Food to Power Harvest Festival marks 10 years since Colorado Springs residents launched a food rescue project to get fruits and vegetables…

At least 5,934,000 Medicaid enrollees nationwide have been dis-enrolled from health coverage as of September 8, 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Thousands of Coloradans Eligible for Medicaid Losing Health Insurance

Colorado ranks 15th in the nation for the highest rate of people losing Medicaid health insurance after pandemic-era protections ended on March 31…

Al menos 5,934.000 afiliados a Medicaid en todo el pa�s han sido dados de baja de la cobertura m�dica a partir del 8 de septiembre de 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Miles de habitantes de CO con derecho a Medicaid pierden seguro medico

Colorado ocupa el decimoquinto lugar en el país con mayor tasa de personas que pierden el seguro médico de Medicaid después de que las …

Data show people in rural communities are more likely to live in poverty, have higher mortality rates, and have higher rates of incarceration. (Adobe Stock)

Rural America Organizes to Create More Opportunities

Overall, Colorado has been on the rebound since COVID-19 affected supply chains and shook economies across the globe. But many of the state's rural …

Regulation 28 is a result of a Colorado law aiming to reduce climate pollution from buildings by seven percent by 2026, and to reduce energy use by 20% by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

CO Targets Apartment, Commercial, Industrial Building Climate Pollution

Colorado wants to reduce climate pollution from apartments and commercial buildings 50,000 square feet and larger, but there is growing concern …

Nationally, nearly 70 million Americans live in areas without enough dental providers. (Adobe Stock)

One Million Coloradans Lack Access to Dental Care

Just 49% of Coloradans are able to access the dental care they need, and health advocates say increasing the number of licensed dental therapists -- …

A 2023 AARP survey found 64% of workers 40 and older reported seeing or experiencing some form of age discrimination in the workplace, and 65% agreed that Americans should not be required to provide age-related information during the hiring process. (Adobe Stock)

New CO Age-Discrimination Law Could Help Fill In-Demand Jobs

Colorado employers will soon be barred from asking questions that could reveal someone's age on a job application. Colorado lawmakers passed the …

So far, 283 projects in Colorado have been identified as priorities under the Inflation Reduction Act. (Adobe Stock)

IRA Funding Set to Boost Colorado's Clean Energy Economy

This month marks one year since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation's first significant investment in addressing climate change…

Each year, there are 4,000 job openings for registered nurses, and 3,700 unfilled elementary and secondary educator positions, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)

Free Tuition at Colorado Colleges for High-Demand Jobs

Colorado will give students pursuing degrees or credentials in high-demand fields free tuition at the state's 19 community and technical colleges star…

Cada a�o se producen 4,000 vacantes de enfermeros titulados y 3,700 de educadores de primaria y secundaria, seg�n datos estatales. (Adobe Stock)

Matrícula gratuita en universidades de CO para trabajos de alta demanda

A partir de este otoño, Colorado ofrecerá matrícula gratuita a los estudiantes que deseen obtener títulos o credenciales en …

RTD may raise the top income to qualify for 50 percent discounted tickets. Under a new plan, a family of four could make a household income of $75,000 or less and qualify for the discount. (Galatas)

Transportation Board to Decide New Fares

The Regional Transportation District is holding a public meeting tomorrow - to decide whether or not to adopt a new fare structure, change existing …

Post-pandemic SNAP benefit cuts, $90 per person on average, have reduced benefits to $6.10 per person, per day on average. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado's Pandemic SNAP Success Offers Model for Farm Bill

Colorado is the eighth most-improved state at ensuring SNAP food assistance reaches its most vulnerable residents, according to new rankings from the …

In 2015, 1,230,000 visits to areas within the ECRMP planning area for non-motorized recreation resulted in $54.3 million in spending to the local economy and supported 693 jobs. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Plan for Public Lands Along Arkansas River Heads to Gov. Polis

The Bureau of Land Management's plan for managing 658,000 acres of public lands in central Colorado includes new protections called for by community m…

Some crops beneath solar panels only need watering every couple of days, compared with every few hours for those grown in direct sunlight. (Adobe Stock)

Solar-Farming Combos Reducing Water Usage

By Jane Palmer for Ensia.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Ser…

In no state, metropolitan area, or county in the U.S. can a worker earning the federal or prevailing state or local minimum wage afford a modest two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent by working a standard 40-hour work week. (Adobe Stock)

GOP Budget Cuts Could Push a Million People Into Homelessness

Colorado's minimum wage workers would have to work 94 hours per week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, according to a new report. Even after …

Rising temperatures as summer takes hold could stretch budgets for many Coloradans still struggling to pay off winter's price spikes. (Adobe Stock)

Summer Heat Brings Little Relief for High Utility Bills

The same families who had to apply for emergency assistance when heating bills skyrocketed this past winter could face similar challenges this summer…

Between 2005 and 2023, the New Markets Tax Credit has been used to help build 33 projects in Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Want New Markets Tax Credit to Be Permanent

Advocates want to extend the New Markets Tax Credit, which has aided several Colorado developments. This tax credit incentivizes community …

Grant opportunities continue to be open to all food pantries in the state, with a focus on purchasing meat, dairy, and fresh produce from local farmers, ranchers, and producers. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Food Pantries Get Emergency Relief

Some 245 food pantries across Colorado are getting emergency funding to help meet a surge in demand after double-digit inflation and the end of pandem…

Las oportunidades de subsidios contin�an abiertas a todas las despensas de alimentos del estado, con un enfoque en la compra de carne, productos l�cteos y productos frescos de agricultores, ganaderos y productores locales. (Adobe Stock)

Despensas de alimentos en CO reciben ayuda de emergencia

Alrededor de 245 despensas de alimentos en todo Colorado están recibiendo fondos de emergencia para ayudar a satisfacer un aumento de la demanda …

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CO: Livable Wages/Working Families