Colorado Legislature

Lawmakers rejected a request to add hundreds of new prison beds, saying the state must first address staffing shortages and parole backlogs.

Chief among lawmakers’ tasks is plugging a roughly $750 million hole in the state budget caused by the Republican federal tax and spending bill. But there’s plenty more on the docket.

To close the funding gap, the state also enters a hiring freeze.

Spurred by rising prices, Republicans tried to repeal a law that went into effect this year that requires large egg producers to be cage-free.

Hundreds of Coloradans gathered at the State Capitol to testify on the sweeping gun control measure. Ultimately, after a marathon hearing, lawmakers voted to advance it along party lines.

Starting January 8, 2025, Colorado lawmakers will begin working on getting bills passed during the 120-day legislative session. Climate and environmental issues will be up for consideration.

This is the first time lawmakers have formed an interim committee to discuss Indigenous affairs.

First-of-its-kind American Indian Affairs interim committee meets during the legislative off-season.

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.

The special session will allow lawmakers to advance a deal under which the conservative supporters of Initiatives 50 and 108 will pull their measures from the ballot.