Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Featured photo courtesy of National Sexual Violence Resource Center

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie Popp

Office of Children, Aging, and Community Services

Colorado Department of Human Services

(720) 788-130

julie.popp@state.co.us

1 in 2 Women and 1 in 6 Men Face Sexual Violence Each Year

The Colorado Department of Human Services Highlights Survivor Support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

DENVER (April 13, 2026) — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and its partners urge every community to take action. There are many ways communities can join the effort to prevent sexual violence and strengthen confidential support for survivors. This year’s national theme: “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” highlights the progress made in prevention and the work that still lies ahead.

Sexual violence is more common than many people realize. Nationally, data from PreventConnect shows that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 6 men will experience some form of contact sexual violence – including rape, coercion, and unwanted contact- in their lifetime. Additionally, about 1 in 3 people report experiencing verbal sexual harassment in the workplace or in public spaces. According to the National Sexual Assault Hotline, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted nearly every minute.

“Sexual violence affects individuals and families in every community,” said Dr. Meghan Stidd, director of the Division of Community Programs. “Increasing awareness and access to support services is essential for both prevention and healing.”

Colorado has progressed in its response to Sexual Violence. In 2022, SB22-183 recognized the importance of supporting community-based sexual violence services and directed CDHS to invest in these critical services. Since this directive, the 15 advocacy organizations partnering with CDHS answered more than 10,500 crisis calls and served over 7,600 clients between 2023 and 2025.

Survivors in Colorado can access free and confidential services through community-based advocacy organizations funded by CDHS. Available services include:

• 24/7 crisis intervention
• Medical and legal accompaniment
• Safety planning and advocacy
• Professional counseling

This support is available regardless of when the violence occurred, and survivors do not need a forensic exam to receive these free and confidential community-based services.

Survivors can also receive medical forensic exams with or without reporting to law enforcement. Colorado offers three reporting options: law enforcement reporting, medical (non-investigative) reporting, and anonymous reporting.

“It takes tremendous courage to come forward, and every survivor deserves to have access to resources, free of judgment or shame,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran. “As a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, I know this firsthand and faced many obstacles and stigmas after escaping my abuser. By continuing to strengthen laws that support programs and build community awareness, we can help survivors begin their healing journey.”

Community members can help by listening without judgment, avoiding blame, learning about safe and healthy interactions, and connecting survivors to professional resources.

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month and throughout the year, Coloradans are encouraged to learn the signs of sexual violence, promote healthy relationships, and share available resources.

For no cost, confidential help in Colorado, visit the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault website: youhavetherightco.org/support-services/

If someone has engaged in harmful sexual violence or is concerned they might cause harm, it is never too late to seek help. Visit the Sex Offender Management Board page to learn more about approved treatment providers and pathways towards accountability and change.

About us:

The Office of Children, Aging, and Community Services (OCACS) is an office within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) dedicated to promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of Coloradans of all ages. OCACS provides statewide leadership, funding, policy development, and oversight in partnership with county human services departments, Tribes, Area Agencies on Aging, and community organizations. OCACS oversees Child Welfare, Community Programs, and Aging and Adult Protective Services, which collectively ensure consistent and effective service delivery for vulnerable populations across their lifespans.

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Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

DENVER, CO – Colorado General Assembly Democratic Leadership today released statements following the assassination and targeted attack on Minnesota elected officials and their families.

“Melissa was a cherished colleague and words cannot express how deeply saddened I am,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “She was a brilliant public servant, a champion for her state, and simply a wonderful person. My heart is with her family, her caucus and the state of Minnesota who I know are grieving alongside an entire nation that is in shock, and I am praying for the recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife. Our democracy is based on the idea that we resolve our differences through peaceful debate and in courts, elected bodies, state legislatures and the halls of Congress. There is no place in our country, ever, for the targeting of elected officials and political violence, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

“Under no circumstances is political violence acceptable in America. There is room for healthy disagreement and debate, but we must never turn to violence against our political opponents,” said Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver. “The targeted attacks in Minnesota are a dark example of how violent rhetoric can devolve into violent actions. I share in the grief of losing Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and I am praying for a full and speedy recovery for Senator John Hoffman and his wife.”

“These acts of targeted violence in Minnesota have shaken us all to the core and are a direct attack on the democratic values we hold dear,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “I never thought I’d see the day when a state legislator would be assassinated in their home. No one who runs for office signs up to lose their life in their service to their community and standing up for what they believe in. We must all speak up and say unambiguously that violence is not the answer and work toward a future where something like this is never possible. The entire Colorado legislature is praying for the speedy recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife, and our hearts are with the families of Speaker Emeritus Hortman and her husband.”

“Retaliation and violence against public servants must never be tolerated,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Americans across the country sacrifice their time and energy to run for office and serve their communities – they should never fear that in doing so they sacrifice their safety as well. We all must unequivocally condemn this horrific act of violence and commit to respectful and peaceful means of settling our political differences. My thoughts are with the families of Speaker Emerita Hartman and her husband, and I am hopeful for complete recovery for Senator Hoffman and his wife.”

The post Democratic Leadership Release Statements on Assassination and Targeted Attack on Minnesota Elected Officials appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

HB25-1130 boosts labor protections for construction jobs by state agencies

DENVER, CO – The Governor today signed legislation sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Representative Michael Carter, D-Aurora, to allow public projects to use Project Labor Agreements to ensure worker protections.

“The health of Colorado’s public sector depends on high-quality, well-paid jobs protected by Project Labor Agreements that work for both employers and workers,” Danielson said. “We’ve passed measures in recent years to expand apprenticeship opportunities and build a skilled, protected workforce, and this law will broaden these protections to the public construction sector.”

“This law allows public construction projects to use Project Labor Agreements to extend workplace protections and bargaining rights to workers on these projects,” Carter said. “Project Labor Agreements are similar to union contracts and offer workers better pay and safer conditions while leading to higher quality work and faster completion of public projects.”

“I am committed to ensuring that Colorado workers are paid fairly for their work and protected from unfair employer practices,” Kolker said. “This law simply extends existing worker protections to make Colorado law consistent across all sectors.”

“I have proudly passed laws in the energy and public sectors to create safer work conditions and ensure Coloradans are paid a fair wage for their work,” Duran said. “This law seeks to extend protections to Colorado workers on public projects, making Colorado law more consistent across all sectors to protect Colorado workers.”

HB25-1130 implements project labor provisions to ensure that state projects, like their energy sector counterparts, have the option and authorization to utilize this procurement method.

The new law defines a project labor agreement as a collective bargaining agreement between a lead contractor for a public project and construction labor organizations to establish the terms and conditions of employment of the construction workforce on the public project. These agreements must include guarantees around strikes and lockouts, requirements to resolve disputes before project completion, and policy objectives regarding underrepresented minorities in the construction industry.

This legislation builds on the Colorado Quality Apprenticeship Training Act of 2019, also sponsored by Senator Danielson and Majority Leader Duran, to establish apprenticeship protections for public projects and a 2023 law, also sponsored by Duran, to create clear and fair working standards for Colorado workers transitioning into the clean energy sector.
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