When the 2025 General Assembly convenes at the State Capitol this week, “protection” will be the prevailing theme for Voce Unidas. As always, Voces Unidas will be engaging in some capacity on more than 30 bills over the course of the session, but we will take the lead and place the most emphasis on three bills capable of providing a variety of protections for Latinos in Colorado.
In partnership with state Rep. Elizabeth Velasco (HD-57), we have been preparing a follow-up measure to HB23-1237, Inclusive Language Emergency Situations, to require critical emergency notifications in Spanish (and other languages) to better protect the one million Colorado residents who speak a language other than English at home. There is currently no state requirement that emergency alerts be sent in other languages, even for evacuation orders due to floods or fire or for shelter-in-place information during active shooter incidents.
Worker protection legislation is another priority issue for our organization heading into the 2025 legislative session, including establishing extreme heat and cold temperature safety standards to protect all outdoor and indoor workers.
Colorado’s outdoor and indoor workers need protection from injuries and fatalities when they are exposed to extreme temperatures at work. Our 2024 Colorado Latino Policy Agenda polling found that more than 85% of the state’s Latino voters support more protections for workers exposed to extreme temperatures. And as the planet continues warming to record levels, heat will become an even bigger issue for workers and the industries that depend on them.
Our third priority bill will focus on immigrant protections. Voces Unidas has been working with the Attorney General and other partners to introduce legislation to strengthen protections for immigrants in Colorado.
Click here to follow our policy work in 2025.