CEDP January Newsletter
Priority Bills Introduced at the Colorado General Assembly, February Rental Assistance Windows, Expanding the CEDP Team, and more!
Happy New Year! This month was a busy one at CEDP. If you’re short on time, here are some of the highlights:
CEDP’s Genie Ruiz spoke at a press conference introducing several of CEDP’s priority bills, including HB25-1004, which will prohibit rental price fixing, HB25-1090, which will prevent surprise junk fees for renters, and HB25-1010, which will stop price gouging on essential goods.
Application windows for rental assistance through Denver and the state will open for a set time each month throughout 2025. Find more details about when and how to apply in February below!
One of the bills CEDP is supporting, SB25-005, The Worker Protection Act, was introduced on the first day of the 2025 legislative session.
Staff at our Colorado Springs office have been busy hosting events with local partners and getting into the community! Keep reading to learn more about two Know Your Rights workshops that took place in January.
We’re hiring! Visit the “Careers” page on our website for all the details.
CEDP-Supported Bills to Address Price-Fixing, Junk Fees, and Algorithms Introduced
CEDP’s Genie Ruiz spoke at a press conference introducing legislation that will prohibit algorithmic price fixing amongst landlords in Colorado (HB25-1004), prevent surprise junk fees for renters (HB25-1090), and a bill to stop price gouging on essential goods (HB25-1010). We’re excited to support these bills that will make the cost of living more affordable for Colorado families.
As Genie shared “When passed, these bills will stop abusive pricing schemes that hurt families, and put necessities like food, housing, and medicine out of reach.”
Rental Assistance Windows Opening Monthly Throughout 2025
As we head into the new year, we’re continuing to help administer rental assistance to qualified Colorado renters. There are two programs available, one through the state of Colorado, and the other through Denver. Windows to apply open each month. Here are the upcoming dates for February:
Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA)
The application window is typically open for three days each month.
The next application window is from February 10th at 11 a.m. until February 12th at 5 p.m.
Visit the CERA website for more details and the link to the pre-application once it is available.
Denver Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA)
The application for TRUA opens on a specific day every month and is open until capacity is reached.
The next date the application will open is February 18th at midnight (6 a.m. MT).
Visit the TRUA website for more details and the application link once it is available.
If you have questions about the process, need help applying, or need further assistance, contact the CARE Center.
Worker Protection Act Passed Senate Committee Hearing
One of the bills CEDP is supporting, SB25-005, The Worker Protection Act, was introduced on the first day of the 2025 legislative session by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez and Senator Jessie Danielson. After being introduced, the legislation was heard before the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee and passed with a vote of 4 to 3.
This new legislation will modernize Colorado’s labor laws and eliminate the second election required for workers to form a union. Learn more about the Worker Protection Act and other efforts across the country to pass worker protections this year in a story from More Perfect Union.
Know Your Rights Workshops in Colorado Springs
In January, our Colorado Springs staff teamed up with local community partners to host Know Your Rights trainings in person. The first event, on January 25th, was in partnership with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Family Success Center (where our Colorado Springs office is located). There were nearly 80 community members in attendance and we were able to connect participants with a variety of resources available through our programs.
On January 28th, CEDP partnered with Colorado Springs Pro-Housing Partnership and presented on HOA rights. Jesse Loper, our director of foreclosure defense at CED Law, presented to 16 participants who reside in HOAs about their rights, and attendees were connected with our Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program and other homeowner resources.
Huge shoutout to Alisa Rizo, programs operations manager for our Colorado Springs office, for coordinating these events!
We’re Looking for More People to Join the CEDP Team
CEDP is continuing to grow! Check out our website for more information and the link to apply for open positions, including:
CDFI Loan Officer — Contractor
Director of Eviction Prevention Programs
Temporary Supervisor of Housing Intake and Navigation Services
Bilingual Licensed Therapist
Licensed Therapist
Temporary HR Administrative Specialist
Bilingual Rural Colorado Case Manager (Sterling, CO)
Rural Colorado Case Manager (Sterling, CO)
Housing Coordinator
Upcoming Community Events
EC3 Monthly Legal Clinic
When: February 19th at 6:00 p.m.
Where: East Colfax Community Collective (1195 Newport St, Denver, CO 80220)
Get Help
The Community Economic Defense Project provides rental assistance, legal assistance/representation, and resource navigation for clients facing eviction, housing insecurity, and other types of economic hardship. If you need assistance, please visit our website to get help.