As a community foundation, we are proud to provide grants to nonprofits in the community to advance our mission. For 100 years, we have activated this kind of funding to meet the most pressing needs of the community.
Several years ago, we heard from the community that we could supplement our grantmaking by offering our voice to policy and advocacy efforts. In this way we could support systemic changes to positively impact our community. We are proud to be engaging in this way in our third legislative session.
This session, we are taking policy positions on bills that will ensure more equitable and timely funding for nonprofit organizations, help individuals and families stay in the communities they have made home, and protect voting access for Coloradans.
This year is also our first year engaging in youth mental health policy. From our listening last year, we heard that we needed to adjust some of our priority areas and expand our “education” priority area to include youth mental health. Under this expanded focus area, “youth well-being,” we will continue to support school funding and K-12 reforms with a focus on racial equity.
In addition, we will also now fund organizations working on youth mental health for K-12-aged children with programs both in the community and in schools. We plan to monitor policy in this space to determine how we can best support these efforts.
We will update this blog through the legislative session.
Economic Opportunity |
Housing
We believe economic opportunity is achievable when the community has the tools and resources to build individual and community wealth.
(SUPPORT) House Bill 25-1090 – Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices
What this is about: This bill aims to ensure transparent pricing practices for consumers and tenants. By requiring upfront disclosure and limiting unfair charges, the bill promotes a level playing field with clear guidelines that foster consumer trust.
Why we care: Through our work with grantees to address matters facing small businesses and tenants, the issue of excessive or additional undisclosed fees, also known as “junk fees” comes up consistently. These costs create additional financial burdens in running businesses and undermine housing affordability. Combating the prevalence of junk fees and deceptive pricing practices is essential for protecting the individual buyer from deception and preserving competitive marketplaces overall.
Status: For more information click here.
Housing
We believe the continuum of housing programs designed to address affordable housing and homelessness should be well-funded and respond to the history of exclusionary housing policies.
(SUPPORT) Senate Bill 25-020 – Tenant and Landlord Law Enforcement
What this is about: This bill is an opportunity to build on current law and provide specific remedies and powers to the attorney general and local governments. Specifically, the bill clarifies the powers of our Attorney General and his team to enforce landlord-tenant laws, allows local governments to address warranty issues through civic actions, and allows both entities to apply for receivership of a multifamily residential property.
Why we care: As a co-lead supporter of SB 24-094 (Safe Housing for Residential Tenants), this bill will address the feedback our partners have received in the past year as it has been implemented. This bill will help prevent rent increases, increase transparency and information provided to tenants, and ensure warranty issues are addressed in a timely manner. These safeguards are critical to helping individuals and families stay in the communities they have made home.
For more information about this policy, click here.
(MONITOR) House Bill 25-1169 – Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land
What this is about: This bill established a process for allowing residential development near faith-based organizations, school districts, or state colleges and universities without going through a rigorous zoning process. The bill prohibits these jurisdictions from imposing restrictive standards on such developments, ensuring they are treated comparably to similar housing projects within the area.
Why we care: This bill expands housing opportunities by allowing faith-based organizations and educational institutions to develop housing on their land, helping address the housing crisis. The bill promotes community development by reducing regulatory barriers, aligning with our mission.
For more information about this policy, click here.
Youth Well-Being
We will consider policy proposals to fund organizations working on school funding and K-12 reforms with a focus on racial equity, and youth mental health.
(MONITOR) House Bill 25-1135 – Communication Devices in Schools Monitoring
What this is about: This bill establishes that schools should develop a policy regarding rules around how students should be allowed to hold on to and use cell phones during the school day to support student learning and well-being.
Why we care: Research shows that student cell phone use during school hours can lead to distractions, increased cyberbullying, and negative impacts on academic performance and mental health. This bill helps create a more focused and less distracting learning environment by ensuring schools have clear policies on student use of communication devices. As we start to dip our toe into youth mental health work, we will monitor this bill.
You can read the Smartphones in Schools Report, 2024, from the Attorney General’s Office.
For more information about this policy, click here.
Philanthropy and Nonprofit Sector
(SUPPORT) House Bill 25-1101 – State Disbursement Process
What this is about: This bill requires that state agencies provide retainer payments to nonprofit organizations upon entering contracts or grant agreements. It also asks these nonprofits to provide information on the organization’s leadership ethnicity and business structure information, and if the organization has received funding from the state in the past.
Why we care: This bill ensures more equitable and timely funding for nonprofit organizations, allowing them to provide critical services without financial delays. By requiring transparency in leadership and business structure, the bill also promotes accountability and equity in state funding, aligning with our commitment to fostering inclusive and well-supported communities.
Status: For more information click here.
Critical and Timely Issues
Under our policy principles, The Denver Foundation maintains an opportunity for engagement in “critical and timely” policy proposals. Recent examples include policy proposals to address the COVID-19 pandemic and racial reckoning. The following critical and timely issues have been identified as appropriate for the foundation’s engagement during this legislative session.
(SUPPORT) Senate Bill 25-001 – Colorado Voting Rights Act
What this is about: This bill will help establish consistent standards for voting in local elections, protect against discrimination in voting systems, and further accessibility options when voting. These provisions are crucial to addressing the gaps in turnout among communities of color.
Why we care: We have funded nonprofit organizations to build their expertise and resources to reach and mobilize new and low-turnout voters from historically underrepresented communities. Many of them are leading this effort in partnership with the bill sponsors and stakeholders. We believe now is the time for Colorado to build on its current statewide policies and practices to continue protecting voting access for Coloradans. We hope this bill will further equitable access to democracy, especially for communities experiencing barriers to voting in elections.
For more information, click here.
About The Denver Foundation’s 100 years
For 100 years, The Denver Foundation has been building a stronger, thriving Metro Denver, Colorado, and beyond. We’ve received $2.1 billion from generous donors and given $1.6 billion in grants to support community initiatives. We’re the foundation of Denver, connecting and collaborating to address the current and future challenges of our community.
