July 01, 2008 02:00 PM UTC

Buy Your Alcohol THIS Sunday!

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• by: Colorado Pols

Lots of new laws go in effect today, including Sunday Liquor Sales!

Click below for a list of notable laws that go into effect today, as provided by the House Democrats’ communications office.

Bills that become effective July 1 include:

SB 221 protects our forests and reduces fire danger. Local communities will get the help they need to remove fire hazards in our forests, such as the lodge pole pine trees killed by bark beetles. (Rep. Christine Scanlan, Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Summit County, et al)

SB 77 targets online ticket abusers who use predatory software to buy out tickets and re-sell them at astronomical prices — remember the Rockies World Series debacle? Harsher penalties are in store for people who obtain more tickets than allowed by a vendor through an online sale. (Rep. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge)

HB 1112 helps crime victims receive vital services, such as mental health counseling, more efficiently through the state Victim’s Assistance & Law Enforcement Fund. (Rep. Andy Kerr; Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood)

HB 1108 helps more elderly live independently at home through the Older Colorado Cash Fund. The Fund can provide more seniors with a menu of services including meals-on-wheels, shopping shuttles, and in-home care. (Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley; Sen. John Morse, D-El Paso County)

HB 1094 lets advanced practice nurses spend more time delivering health care to patients and less time fighting with insurance companies by allowing reimbursement of services. Advanced practice nurses include certified nurse midwifes, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists. (Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada; Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora)

HB 1389 The FAIR Act (Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates) ensures that 1.3 million Coloradans’ health insurance rates can’t be increased without good cause. Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner is empowered to deny proposed insurance rate increases when insurers cannot justify rate increases. (Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora; Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver)

HB 1390 The CoverColorado Program offers health insurance coverage to thousands of Coloradans who would otherwise be unable to obtain insurance, without significant exclusions. (Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver; Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus)

HB 1244 ensures chairlifts at ski resorts remains safe for Colorado’s families and tourists through the Passenger Safety Tramway Board, which provides oversight for Colorado’s 374 “tramways” — most of which are ski lifts. (Rep. Christine Scanlan, Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Summit County)

HB 1069 protects Colorado’s wildlife habitats and open spaces by curbing illegal incursions of off-highway vehicles – such as ATVs – on federal land. By allowing greater law enforcement into closed areas and trails, it provides a long-term solution for using and preserving public land in a sustainable way. (Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison; Sen. Lois Tochtrop D-Thornton)

SB 82 pumps money into our local economy by allowing alcohol to be sold on Sundays. (Rep. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge; Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver)

HB 1353 preserves Colorado’s open spaces by preventing fraud and misuse of the Conservation Easement Tax Credit Program, ensuring that the program — which has already conserved more than 1 million acres of open space — will be made stronger. (Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder; Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus)

Just in time for Independence Day, HB 1304 ensures that our national symbol will be protected.  It makes it illegal to hunt, take, or possess bald eagles. Each violation carries a fine of $1,000 to $100,000, and up to one year imprisonment. (Rep. Judy Solano, D-Adams County; Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village)