Colorado Capitol Coverage

Day one of the 2025 lawmaking term was filled mostly with ceremonial proceedings marking the start of work. Democratic and Republican leaders also gave opening remarks describing their legislative agenda for the session.

Budget cuts and national politics could shape the legislature’s ambitions this year.

Colorado officials from across the political spectrum praised Carter’s legacy after his death Sunday, especially for his humanitarian and environmental work that continued long after he left the White House.

With the election less than two months away, political rifts in Grand County mirror those across Colorado and the rest of the country. Changing demographics are exacerbating political differences and making it hard to focus on the issues that matter, even when Republicans and Democrats agree on them.

More than a dozen statewide ballot measures are on the November ballot. They deal with major issues like abortion, gun violence, elections, and conservation, but they can also be confusing. What does a “yes” vote on any of them really mean?

An annual poll released this week shows inflation, low wages, unaffordable housing, and expensive healthcare are major concerns for Latino voters in Colorado. Also on the list are abortion, immigration, and gun violence.

The state legislature’s special session on property taxes wrapped up Thursday. Lawmakers passed a bill that provides small tax cuts for homeowners and businesses and averts the threat of ballot initiatives that would decimate state and local budgets. They also rejected a slew of other measures.

Colorado’s 2024 lawmaking term ended with notable civility in comparison to the tense final days of last year’s session. This year, lawmakers came together to pass flagship legislation on property taxes, education funding, housing, and gun control.

Gov. Jared Polis and top Democrats announced an agreement with the fossil fuel industry and environmental advocates to avert a ballot box fight in November. As part of the deal, lawmakers scrapped more aggressive regulatory proposals in place of two new bills, with just days left in the legislative session.

A bill that would reform transparency and accountability around police misconduct, especially between officers, was introduced this week with just days left in the legislative session.