Lawmakers still have dozens of bills to consider before the 2019 Legislative Session ends on Friday. Unfortunately, despite bipartisan support, it appears that many of these bills will die, not on their merits, but because of partisan delay tactics to run down the clock.

Though the session is approaching its Eleventh Hour, CCLP encourages our partners to contact leadership in the House and Senate and ask them to let the following bills go to a vote on the floor:

* Developed by CCLP, House Bill 1322 would increase the supply of affordable housing by investing $30 million a year for three years into the Housing Development Grant Fund without using taxpayer dollars. It is scheduled for a second reading on the Senate floor tomorrow.

* Also developed by CCLP, HB 1223 would help Coloradans with disabilities apply for financial assistance from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs. It is scheduled for a second reading on the Senate floor tomorrow.

* The result of several years of discussions with stakeholders, HB 1107 would establish a three-year pilot program that would provide funds to community-based organizations that work with people trying to get into the workforce or improve their skills or get a better-paying job. The measure was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier today and must get through second and third reading before midnight Friday.

* Developed with input from CCLP, HB 1275 would make records for most nonviolent convictions eligible for sealing and unavailable to the public. If passed, the legislation would remove a barrier for many Coloradans seeking employment and housing and let them get on with their lives. The bill is scheduled for a second reading on the Senate floor tomorrow.

* HB 1320 is designed to increase the transparency of community benefit investments by nonprofit hospitals and ensure that they invest in activities that improve health outcomes in the communities they serve. It is scheduled for a second reading on the Senate floor tomorrow.

* Finally, HB 1310 would suspend interest on restitution orders while someone is in prison. The bill is also scheduled for seconds tomorrow in the Senate.

These bills were supported by large numbers of individuals and organizations and many have been painstakingly negotiated by people who invested hours of work to shepherd them through the legislative process. It is unfortunate that stalling and obstruction may doom so much valuable legislation.

Please contact Senate leadership (particularly Sen. Stephen Fenberg and Sen. Leroy Garcia) now and ask them to make these bills a priority so that procedural gamesmanship does not thwart enactment of legislation that would help so many Coloradans.