Colorado

Legislation*

*Legislation that was introduced and not passed

2003

Colo. H.J.R. 03-1051 -Introduced April 9, 2003*

Recognizes April 16, 2003, as the first World Voice Day in Colorado to raise awareness of the importance of healthy voice use. Acknowledges the social, emotional, and professional impact of voice disorders and commends the National Center for Voice and Speech in Denver for its educational efforts. Encourages public education on voice disorders, laryngeal cancer, and preventive voice care.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-21-104 (as amended by H.B. 1346) – Enacted in 2003

Expands and reorganizes Colorado’s Dental Assistance Program for low-income seniors. Authorizes the Department of Public Health and Environment to award service grants to qualified grantees to provide dental and oral health services, including oral cancer screening, denture care, and relief for pain and infection. Grants prioritize grantees with the ability to leverage other resources and must comply with federal HIPAA standards. The statute also establishes a Dental Advisory Committee to advise the department and make grant recommendations. The program may include alternative administration and funding mechanisms and must report semiannually on services delivered.

2024

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-21.5-104 (as amended by S.B. 24-142) – Enacted in 2024

Establishes the Oral Health Screening Pilot Program within Colorado’s oral health community grants program. Authorizes the Department of Public Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to award grants—up to $20,000 annually for two years—to at least five local education providers to implement oral health screening for students in kindergarten through second grade. The program includes requirements for qualified screeners, parental notification and opt-out rights, data reporting, use of approved screening tools, and referrals for follow-up care. De-identified screening data must be submitted to evaluate program effectiveness. Repeals July 1, 2028.