January 17, 2025

THE MOTHER LODE

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

Colorado’s 75th General Assembly kicked off on January 8th and leadership from the majority party introduced more than 130 bills. These bills included the “Assault Weapons Ban”, prohibition of price gouging and creating a tax incentive to bring the Sundance Film Festival to Colorado.
 
The state Senate chose state Sen. James Coleman (D-Denver), as Senate President. On the House side, legislators had a two-way race for Speaker of the House, when state Rep. Rose Pugliese (R-Colorado Springs) challenged Rep. Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) for Speaker of the House. As expected, Rep. McCluskie won. Six House Republicans voted not certify the Colorado elections, arguing that the Secretary of State Jena Griswold’s release of passwords for voting equipment called into question the election results.

As to the budget, Colorado is estimated to have more than a $700 budget shortfall, which is attributed to the cooling of inflation, rise of Medicaid costs and the loss of money coming in from federal programs.

Governor Polis’s State of the State Address
Full Video and Transcript (CPR) | House GOP Response

Key Takeaways:
1. Reducing Bureaucracy and Regulatory Reform

  • Governor Polis emphasized his work in cutting down on needless bureaucracy:
    “I sawed through 208 old executive orders, some going back over a century, cutting down, quite literally, on needless bureaucracy.”
  • He urged legislative members to continue eliminating unnecessary regulations:
    “And encouraged legislative members to continue to do the same of cutting unnecessary regulations.”

2. Federal Immigration Policies and Stance

  • Opposition to Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies: Polis hinted at his opposition to the incoming Trump Administration’s approach to immigration, particularly around border security and enforcement:
    “I hope that President-elect Trump and Congress work together quickly to secure the border, stop human trafficking, and stop the illegal flow of guns and drugs, and we welcome more federal help to detain and deport dangerous criminals.”
  • Support for Dreamers: He advocated for legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and others seeking to step out of the shadows:
    “Legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and those who seek to come out of the shadows to help make Colorado greater.”
  • Protection for Immigrant Families: Polis emphasized that Colorado will not support actions that break up families or target those on pending legal status:
    “Colorado will not support efforts to deport American citizens, target those on pending legal status, or break up families, creating orphans of American children whose parents are alive and who came to this country to build a better life for their families.”

3. Core Values and Inclusivity

  • Personal Freedom and Choice: Polis declared that in Colorado, it is about individual rights and freedoms:
    “In the free state of Colorado, it’s your body, it’s your marriage, it’s your choice.”
  • Celebrating Diversity: He emphasized the strength found in Colorado’s diversity:
    “In the free state of Colorado, diversity is a strength, not a threat.”
  • Opportunity and Prosperity for All: Polis stressed that Colorado is a place that opens doors to prosperity and opportunity:
    “In the free state of Colorado, we open the door to opportunity, to abundance, to prosperity. This is a Colorado for all.”

4. Housing and Development

  • Modular Housing: Polis called for streamlined processes to help build affordable housing more quickly and at a lower cost:
    “Streamline the process for modular housing options to be built faster and at lower cost.”
  • Condo Liability Reform: He supported reforms to make condo construction more feasible while protecting homeowners:
    “Meaningful condo liability reforms that balance homeowner protections, de-risk the market, and allow for more condos to be built and sold.”

5. Environmental Policy and Climate Change

  • Climate Change Action: Governor Polis reiterated Colorado’s commitment to addressing climate change, with or without federal support:
    “Colorado will continue to lead the way to tackle climate change and pollution, with or without federal support.”

6. Healthcare and Prescription Drug Reform

  • Prescription Drug Discounts: Polis emphasized the importance of providing affordable healthcare, particularly through expanding prescription drug discounts:
    “Protect and expand prescription drug discounts to better serve our most vulnerable.”

7. Education Reform and Funding

  • Tailored Education Funding: Polis called for a more effective funding system based on the actual needs of students:
    “Start funding students where they are in their schools today in ways tailored to individual needs, adding that ‘it is past time to eliminate this antiquated system that funds empty chairs rather than actual students.'”
  • Support for Diverse Educational Models: He expressed his support for both traditional and charter schools, empowering parents to choose the best educational options for their children:
    “High quality and innovative schools to start and operate in Colorado, supporting students whether in a traditional district or a charter school and giving parents the ability to choose the best option for their kids.” 

Opening Day Remarks From Legislative Leadership

  • Senate President James Coleman (D-Denver) 
    (Transcript)
  • Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen (R-Monument) 
    (Transcript)
  • Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) (Transcript)
  • House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese (R-Colorado Springs) (Transcript)

THE BILLFOLD

Updates on impactful legislation

Senate Bill 25-003
Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices (Assault Weapons Ban)
Sponsors: Senator Tom Sullivan, Senator Julie Gonzalez, Representative Andrew Boesenecker, Representative Meg Froelich
Status: Introduced in Senate. Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Seeks to ban the sale and possession of semiautomatic firearms and rapid-fire devices. It also tightens background checks and penalties for violations. Proponents argue it enhances public safety, while opponents cite Second Amendment concerns.

Senate Bill 25-034
Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms Waiver (Self Imposed Red Flag)
Sponsors: Senator Cathy Kipp, Representative Boesenecker
Status: Introduced in Senate. Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Allows individuals to voluntarily add themselves to a state registry preventing firearm purchases, offering a self-imposed “red flag” for personal safety. Supporters see it as a preventive for safety, while critics worry about privacy and misuse.

Senate Bill 25-047
Enforced Federal Immigration
Sponsors: Senator Mark Baisley, Representative Max Brooks, Representative Chris Richardson
Status: Introduced in Senate. Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Requires state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, mandating assistance in detaining undocumented individuals. Supporters argue it strengthens safety, while critics fear racial profiling and harm to immigrant communities.

Senate Bill 25-014
Protecting the Freedom to Marry
Sponsors: Senator Jessie Danielson, Senator Sonya Jauez Lewis, Representative Lorena Garcia, Representative Brianna Titone
Status: Introduced in Senate. Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Seeks to protect marriage equality under state law, ensuring legal recognition of marriages regardless of gender or sexual orientation, even if federal laws change. It affirms LGBTQ+ rights to marry.

Senate Bill 25-006
Investment Authority of State Treasurer for Affordable Housing
Sponsors: Senator Dylan Roberts, Representative Manny Rutinel, Representative Mary Bradfield
Status: Introduced in Senate – Assigned to Local Government & Housing
Expands the State Treasurer’s power to invest in affordable housing projects to address the state’s housing shortage. Supporters argue it will provide crucial funding, while critics may challenge the use of public funds.

Senate Bill 25-005
Worker Protection Collective Bargaining
Sponsors: Senator Robert Rodriguez, Senator Jessie Danielson, Representative Javier Mabrey, Representative Jennifer Bacon
Status: Introduced in Senate. Assigned to Business, Labor & Technology
Strengthens workers’ rights to organize and negotiate, preventing retaliation and improving wages and working conditions. Supporters argue it advances worker rights, while opponents view it as an expansion of union influence.

House Bill 25-1074
Change Confinement Standards Egg-Laying Hens
Sponsors: Representative Ryan Gonzalez, Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer
Status: Introduced in House – Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
Updates standards for egg-laying hens to improve welfare by providing more space and reducing cage use. Supporters argue the current standards are ethical farming, while opponents may worry about costs for producers.

House Bill 25-1072
Pretrial Release for Repeat Violent Offenses
Sponsors: Representative Jarvis Caldwell, Representative Shannon Bird, Senator Byron Pelton
Status: Introduced in House – Assigned to Judiciary
Restricts pretrial release for repeat violent offenders to improve public safety. Supporters argue it prevents further violence, while critics cite concerns about defendants’ rights and presumption of innocence.

House Bill 25-1068
Malpractice Insurers Gender-Affirming Care Minors
Sponsors: Representative Scott Bottoms, Senator Mark Baisley
Status: Introduced in House – Assigned to Health & Health Services
Prohibits insurers from denying coverage for gender-affirming care for minors, ensuring that transgender youth can access necessary medical treatments. Supporters see it as a step forward for LGBTQ+ rights, while critics question the role of insurance in such decisions and for allowing these types of surgeries to minors.

House Bill 25-1051
Repeal Recycled Paper Carryout Bag Fee
Sponsors: Representative Rose Pugliese, Representative Ryan Gonzalez, Senator Byron Pelton
Status: Introduced in House – Assigned to Energy & Environment
Seeks to remove the fee on recycled paper bags at retailers, reversing a policy to encourage reusable bags. Supporters argue the current law does not stop or reduce the use of these types of bags, while critics worry it undermines environmental goals.

House Bill 25-1010
Prohibiting Price Gouging in Sales of Necessities
Sponsors: Representative Yara Zokaie, Representative Kyle Brown, Senator Mike Weissman
Status: Introduced in House – Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor
Makes it illegal to raise prices significantly on essential goods during emergencies. Supporters argue it protects consumers, while opponents will cite supply and demand.

House Bill 25-1005
Tax Incentive for Film Festivals
Sponsors: Representative Julie McCluskie, Representative Brianna Titone, Senator Judy Amabile, Senator Mark Baisley
Status: Introduced in House – Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor
Offers tax incentives to attract film festivals to Colorado, aiming to boost the local economy and tourism. Supporters argue it will create jobs and promote Colorado’s film industry, while critics question the cost of the incentives especially with the looming budget deficit.


 

BUDGET BONANZA


The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) has been diligently reviewing the Governor’s budget proposal and examining projections indicating that this year’s budget will require over $700 million in cuts, as well as an additional $350 million in funding for law enforcement that was approved by voters. The largest contributing factor to this budget shortfall is the rising cost of healthcare. JBC staff have also informed legislators that any potential TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) maneuvers will not provide any relief for the general fund to address this deficit. During a recent meeting of the Joint Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, Senator Kirkmeyer, a member of the JBC, stressed that the legislature should not rely on general funds to replace federal funds when discussing the current deficit. One thing is clear: significant cuts across government departments and programs will be necessary to balance the State’s budget, which is required by statute.

CAPITOL CHATTER

Press releases, news articles, and more

News Story – January 9, 2025 – KSUT
Democrats and Republicans talk Policy Priorities on the First Day of Colorado’s Legislative Session

News Story – January 7, 2025 – Colorado Sun
2025 will be the year of the budget cut at the Colorado Capitol

News Story – January 8, 2025 – Colorado Public Radio
Colorado’s 2025 Legislative Session Begins

News Story – January 13, 2025 – Colorado Politics
Bills to Watch | Colorado Lawmakers Introduce First Gun Bills of 2025 Session