Under the new law, a person will receive six months off their sentence for a certificate or other credential that requires the completion of at least 30 credit hours; one year off for an associate’s or baccalaureate degree; 18 months off their sentence for earning a master’s degree; and two years off their sentence for a doctorate degree.

Colorado Democratic lawmakers introduced a package of three bills Thursday that, if passed, would increase and protect access to abortion and gender-affirming care in the state.

The proposed laws expand upon lawmakers’ passage of a 2022 law codifying the right to abortions at any stage of pregnancy after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision guaranteeing the right to abortions.

This session, Gonzales is majority whip of the Senate, co-chair of the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus and treasurer of the Board of Latino Legislative Leaders. She is also chair of the Judiciary Committee and Committee on Legal Services (one of only three senators to chair multiple committees), a member of two other committees, and prime sponsor of 17 bills so far — the eighth most of any senator.

Just over a month into the 2023 legislative session, Gonzales sat down with Colorado Politics to discuss her goals for the year ahead and how she seeks to legislate for the marginalized.