Governor Polis called the Colorado State Legislature to a Special Session from August 21st to 26th. Focus was on resolution of the state budget deficit and the implementation of the AI Bill passed by the 2024 Session (the latter has been delayed until 2026). GAPP took a position of “Support” on two of the bills that were clearly in line with CNA’s Social Determinants of Health Action Statement:

• SB 25B-002 on state funding for Planned Parenthood, in the absence of federal funding;
• SB 25B-003 on the provision of Healthy School Meals for All.

Both bills were passed.

With health care insurance for many Coloradans expected to rise by at least 30%, HB 25B-1006 addressed health insurance affordability. But the Session left many questions unanswered about the federal budget cuts and their effects in Colorado. Contract Lobbyist Gil Romero spoke to GAPP members at the meeting on August 27th, saying: “The big problems are going to be before us in January and GAPP will play a role in informing legislators.”

In addition to analysis of the Special Session, GAPP has begun looking at the Sunset of the Nurse Practice Act, scheduled for 2026. All members are urged to read the Nurse Practice Act and join one of the small groups that have formed to discuss details of its provisions. Nurses have an opportunity to assist in updating the bill and building in protections and provisions that may be currently missing. Email mark@coloradonurses.org to join a group.

GAPP is an official committee of CNA and can best be described as its legislative advocacy arm. The committee consists of 15 voting members who commit to familiarizing themselves with pending bills and issues before the State Legislature to facilitate meaningful and productive discussion at meetings. Members, and sometimes guests, may be asked at times to provide more in-depth information regarding a particular topic or bill as it falls within their specific area of expertise. Meetings are regularly attended by CNA’s Executive Director Mark Longshore and Deputy Director Margaret Bishop. Mary Satre and Mavis Mesi-Goresko co-chair the committee and Amy Diamond completes the leadership team as recording officer. Capitol Success, our contract lobbyist team, is represented by Gil Romero, Ryan Romero, and Alec Romero.

Semi-monthly meetings will be held from January to May 2026, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 6:15 until 8:00 PM, to allow GAPP members to follow the 2026 Legislative Session as it unfolds.

GAPP leadership encourages interested members to familiarize themselves with the “Bill Tracker” link found under the Advocacy tab on the CNA homepage (www.coloradonurses.org ). This list of priority bills cites the position taken by CNA (“Support, Oppose, or Monitor”) and is regularly updated during Session to reflect the work that GAPP completes. GAPP is kept informed by our team of contract lobbyists and in turn informs the CNA Board, to whom they are responsible. GAPP’s work is guided and supported by the action statements and position papers passed by CNA membership.

Students and all CNA members are welcome at GAPP meetings and can access the registration details and more information about GAPP by going to: https://www.coloradonurses.org/gapp/. (Click the “Advocacy” tab on the CNA Homepage and then click “GAPP.”) Information about becoming a voting member is provided at the start of every meeting.