Alec Garnett
Here’s what’s in the Colorado fentanyl “accountability and prevention” bill just sent to the governor
House Bill 1326 was one of the most contentious measures debated at the Colorado Capitol this year.
Republican stall tactics in Colorado House threaten fate of dozens of bills as 2022 lawmaking term nears Wednesday close
Stuck in a long queue are bills that would change Colorado’s unemployment system, increase penalties for fentanyl users and dealers, and spend millions of dollars in federal coronavirus aid. The School Finance Act is also stuck in the logjam.
Colorado Democrats aim to quickly pass property tax relief to head off ballot measure from business group, conservatives
Democrats are trying to quickly introduce and pass property tax reduction legislation to head off a 2022 ballot measure from Colorado Concern. Polling indicates that measure may be doomed from the start.
A Democrat wants Colorado voters to eliminate a Capitol delay tactic the GOP has used many times
House Resolution 1002 would ask voters to remove a provision in the Colorado constitution requiring bills to be read at length upon request, which the Republican minority has turned to many times in recent years
“You’re under threat”: Voting rights resolutions at Colorado statehouse become election-year pitch from Democrats
Republicans called the measures a partisan distraction aimed at drawing voters’ attention away from rising inflation and crime on Democrats’ watch
Littwin: Jared Polis just showed how to make an election-year State of the State speech
Polis wants to save Coloradans money, which may not be the most controversial public-policy pitch ever made. More controversial was Polis’ decision to sing about it.
“A fighting tone”: Colorado Republicans are heading into the 2022 legislative session on the offensive
Over the past three years the GOP’s main strategy at the Capitol has been to try to slow down the Democratic machine through delay tactics like long speeches in protest of legislation
The Colorado legislature’s IOU to the state’s public pensions is growing as retiree benefits get cut
Public employees are now paying more in exchange for worse benefits than their predecessors
Despite partisan rhetoric at the Colorado Capitol, just 4.4% of bills this year passed along purely party lines
The analysis, the second such study conducted by The Colorado Sun in three years, once again indicates more bipartisanship in the Colorado General Assembly than might be expected
Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of Colorado law limiting the sale of medical marijuana concentrates
House Bill 1317, which passed the legislature with broad bipartisan support, is aimed at curbing illegal teen use of cannabis products that are high in THC
Opinion: When it comes to protecting Colorado kids, is the marijuana industry in or out?
It’s surprising when an industry leader references many “significant shortcomings” in a recently passed compromise bill on high-potency THC.
Democrats pursued a no-policy-left-behind mantra for Colorado’s 2021 legislative session
Much of Democrats’ policy agenda was heavily amended, but it passed with very limited exceptions. “I think we’ve hit our stride,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat.
Colorado lawmakers’ effort to curb illegal use of high-potency marijuana by teens is stoking privacy concerns
House Bill 1317 would track how much medical pot patients buy to enforce daily limits. Some are concerned about the state keeping the data secure.
Housing, workforce development, infrastructure: How Colorado Democrats plan to spend $3.8B in federal aid
About $2 billion will be allocated before the 2021 legislative session ends by June 12.
“A lot of big items still out there”: Colorado lawmakers have a massive to-do list with only a month left
There are about 250 pieces of active, unresolved legislation. And more meaty bills are being introduced by the day.
Colorado lawmakers aim to enact strict new regulations on marijuana concentrate, medical cannabis
House Bill 1317 is aimed at curbing teen use and adult overconsumption of high-potency cannabis
Colorado Democrats formally introduce their transportation-fee bill with Republican, business community support
Senate Bill 260 would impose new fees on motorists purchasing gas and diesel fuel, while also adding additional costs to deliveries, rideshare trips and electric vehicle registrations
Colorado lawmakers, governor unveil $700M state economic stimulus plan. Here’s where the money will go.
The money lawmakers are using to pay for the state stimulus plan comes from unexpected tax revenue.
Indigenous students say they need more from Colorado universities. An in-state tuition bill is a first step.
Senate Bill 29 would require higher education institutions in Colorado to charge in-state tuition to any student who is part of a federally recognized American Indian tribe that lived within the state. Fort Lewis College already waives tuition for Indigenous students.
As Colorado legislature reconvenes, leaders pledge funds for K-12, higher education
Lawmakers plan to triage pandemic problems and hope to get back on track after a tumultuous 2020. For education, that means replacing money cut to balance the budget last year.
