The Gold Miner #12

February 13, 2025

THE MOTHER LODE

A short, sweet, and rich summary of what’s happened at the Capitol

Over the past two weeks, the Colorado legislature has been active in introducing and debating significant legislation.

Colorado SB25-003, also known as the semi-automatic gun ban bill, has been delayed twice from being debated on the Senate floor. Before the second delay, Senator Marc Snyder voiced his opposition to the bill, which still has 19 Democrats in favor, with only 18 needed to pass it. Another concern for Democrats is whether Governor Polis will sign the measure, which is one of the reasons for the delay—allowing more time for negotiations between Democrats in the legislature and the governor. The bill is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor today.

House Republicans had a 109-page bill, HB25-1084, read at length, followed by a lengthy debate on HB25-1027. Republicans argued that the bill would grant excessive power to the governor and bureaucratic offices, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the bill should include more stakeholders. These concerns led to numerous proposed amendments, and the House remained on the floor for about five hours. Afterward, the House Finance Committee heard two controversial bills that sparked heated debates. The first, HB25-1005, led to arguments about whether Boulder would receive “all” the benefits from the Sundance Festival tax credits and whether the cost was justified. Proponents argued that the bill would benefit smaller festivals and boost tourism, resulting in more tourism dollars. Ultimately, the bill was approved to move on to the house floor, with Democrat Representative Bob Marshall siding with Republicans. The second contentious bill, HB25-1010, aimed to prohibit price gouging in the sale of necessities. Critics of the bill argued that it was too broad, that price controls don’t work, and that it would negatively impact businesses. Supporters contended that the bill was necessary to combat rising prices driven by corporate greed. This bill also was also approved to go to the House floor and Democrat Representative Bob Marshall sided with Republicans again.

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard a bill to increase penalties for individuals accused of manufacturing, selling, or distributing— or possessing with the intent to do so— substances containing fentanyl, carfentanil, or benzimidazole opiates. The bill was ultimately defeated by a 4-3 vote and postponed indefinitely. However, this is likely not the end of the debate, and voters may have a say in 2026. On Friday, the Colorado Title Board held an initial hearing regarding Initiatives 14 & 15, which, if placed on the ballot and passed by voters, would increase penalties for fentanyl-related crimes.

Senator Hinrichsen (D) introduced a Senate Joint Resolution, SJR25-006, condemning the January 6 Insurrection pardons. Following his floor speech, Senator Baisley (R) took the floor to express his disapproval of the resolution, arguing that Joint Resolutions should not be used for partisan political purposes. All Republicans voted against the resolution.

Lastly, the Senate Ethics Committee held a hearing regarding a complaint against Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis. The complaint was filed by five former staffers on her behalf, represented by the Political Workers Guild (PWG), which advocates for legislative aides, campaign workers, and political organizers fighting for dignity in the workplace. The complaint includes accusations of wage theft and campaign finance violations. Another meeting will be held next Tuesday to review the evidence, and a decision is expected either that day or no later than Thursday, February 20.

THE BILLFOLD

Updates on impactful legislation

House Bill 25-1164
Constitutional Carry of a Handgun
Sponsors: Representative Ron Weinberg
Last Action: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Summary: Concerning the authority to carry a handgun

Senate Joint Resolution 25-006
Condemnation of January 6 Insurrection Pardons
Sponsors: Sen Hinrichsen, Sen Matt Ball, Representative Sean Camacho
Last Action: Passed in Senate
Summary: Concerning condemnation of the pardons of those involved in the January 6, 2021, insurrection against the United States of America.

House Bill 25-124
Reducing Costs of Health Care for Patients
Sponsors: Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Sen Julie Gonzalez, Representative Kyle Brown
Last Action: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to Health & Human Services
Summary: Concerning outpatient drugs that are sold at a discount to nonprofit hospitals through the federal 340B drug pricing program.

Senate Bill 25-156
Reducing Costs of State Regulation
Sponsors: Senator Janice Rich, Representative Rebecca Keltie
Last Action: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Summary: Concerning reducing the cost of regulation in Colorado

Senate Bill 25-139
Grocery & Utility Reduction Measures
Sponsors: Senator Mark Baisley
Last Action: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Summary: Concerning measures to reduce household costs in the state and, in connection therewithin, authorizing the use of nuclear energy as a clean energy resource and repealing certain charges associated with groceries or utilities

Senate Bill 25-138
Permanent Reductions to State Income Tax
Sponsors: Senator John Carson
Last Action: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Summary: Concerning permanent reductions to state income tax

Senate Bill 25-131
Reducing the Cost of Housing
Sponsors: Senator Paul Lundeen
Last Action: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Summary: Concerning the reduction of the cost of housing

BUDGET BONANZA

Last week, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) unveiled the supplemental bills for Colorado’s government departments and agencies. Initially introduced in the Senate, these bills have since been approved by the Senate and are now being voted on the House. In an unusual turn of events, there was public disagreement among Senate JBC members during discussions on the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Supplemental.

Several key themes emerged during the supplemental discussions, with both sides of the legislature focusing on them. One widely reported issue was the failure of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to effectively process rape kits. Another topic of concern was the need to upgrade government fleet vehicles. A further point of contention, with differing opinions between Republicans and Democrats, was the proposal to have the state fully fund immigrant children’s health programs.

During the Senate discussions, Senator Kirkmeyer emphasized that Colorado not in a recession or facing an emergency, but the legislature is overspending on various projects. She also voiced opposition to using the state’s reserves to cover the shortfall, which is currently slightly above 13%, falling $252 million short of its statutory 15% obligation. In response, Senator Bridges argued that the Senate is fiscally responsible and is financially responsible to pay its bills. As the JBC and the Appropriations Bill—commonly referred to as the Long Bill—approach, both sides of the aisle are expected to engage in intense debates. The legislature will also face the challenge of cutting over $1 billion to meet the constitutional requirement of balancing the budget.