Weekend Update – Some Legislative Session Need-To-Knows

It’s Sunday, January 12, 2025. There are 115 days left in the 2025 Colorado General Assembly.

The Colorado legislative session is known for being a fast-paced and high-pressure time for lawmakers—and for good reason. Running from January to May each year, it’s marked by intense activity, as legislators and lobbyists work around the clock to influence state laws. 

During the session, elected officials from across Colorado gather at the State Capitol in Denver to introduce, debate, and vote on a wide range of bills that affect the lives of state residents. In the 2024 session, lawmakers introduced 705 bills, following the 617 bills introduced the year before (2023). It’s likely we’ll see similar numbers this year.

There are several factors that contribute to the intensity of this period, along with some key details worth understanding. Let’s take a closer look:

Flurry of Legislation – During the legislative session, hundreds of bills are introduced, many of which require in-depth research, committee hearings, and revisions. Lawmakers must carefully review each proposal, engage in discussions, solicit feedback from stakeholders, and determine which bills to move forward. With a wide range of policy issues on the table—from education and healthcare to the environment and infrastructure—the workload is intense and can be overwhelming. This year will be no exception, with significant debates expected on topics such as labor relations, guns, construction litigation reform, abortion, wage theft, and efforts to reduce regulation and fees, among others.

Committee Work – A significant portion of a legislator’s time is devoted to committee work, where bills are carefully reviewed. Each member of the General Assembly serves on committees assigned by legislative leadership. Committees typically meet several times a week and cover a broad range of topics. Members hear testimony from experts, lobbyists, and the public, and are often responsible for deciding on amendments or voting to advance a bill. Given the high volume of bills introduced each session, committee work is crucial in shaping the final legislation. While Democrats maintain strong majorities in the House across all committees, we may see more tension and tough decisions in the Senate, where their majority is narrower, and the political climate tends to be more moderate.

Debates on the Floor – Once bills pass through committee, they move to the legislative floor for debate. This is where heated discussions and negotiations often unfold, especially for high-stakes or controversial bills. Lawmakers may propose amendments or work to rally support—or opposition—for a specific measure. These debates are usually time-sensitive and can stretch for hours or even days, particularly when the outcome of a vote is uncertain. Effective clock management by leadership is essential due to the large volume of legislation being considered. With Republicans taking a more defensive stance, we can expect increased filibusters and political maneuvering during floor debates, particularly in the House, as both parties vie for influence.

Budget Negotiations – One of the most critical tasks during the legislative session is passing the state’s annual budget. In fact, it’s really the only responsibility lawmakers are constitutionally required to fulfill – passing a balanced budget. The rest of the legislation is essentially extracurricular. The budget is carefully debated and adjusted through multiple committee hearings, with funding priorities set for areas like education, transportation, healthcare, and public safety. As the budget is a direct reflection of the state’s fiscal priorities, these negotiations often consume a significant portion of legislative time. This year, lawmakers are facing a very tight budget, with a projected shortfall of around $700 million. This means limited funds for new programs and possibly even cuts to some big discretionary buckets. Expect the budget to be one of the biggest issues of the session.

Public Engagement – The legislative session also provides time for public hearings, where citizens have the opportunity to voice their opinions on specific bills. Lobbyists, interest groups, and constituents are actively involved in trying to shape policy decisions. This level of public engagement adds to the intensity at the State Capitol, as lawmakers work to balance the needs and concerns of their districts with the broader priorities of the state. As a result, committees sometimes run late into the evening or even into the early hours, with hundreds of stakeholders signed up to testify. With legislation expected on high-profile issues like guns, abortion, energy, and education, we can anticipate some lengthy and heated committee hearings in the coming months.

Deadline-Driven Environment – The legislative session operates under strict deadlines for the passage of bills, with key dates for bill introductions, committee votes, and final passage. Lawmakers often face intense time pressure as they work to push their bills through the process before the session adjourns. This creates a high-stakes environment, where efficiency and productivity are paramount. As a result, not every bill makes it through the process—some will stall on the calendar, while others may falter due to a lack of funding. And, of course, there’s the Governor’s veto power to consider. In 2019, Governor Jared Polis used his veto power for the first time, rejecting five bills. He vetoed three in 2020, four in both 2021 and 2022, and a record ten bills in 2023. In 2024, Polis vetoed six bills. For comparison, his predecessor, Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper, vetoed just 14 bills in his first seven years, with none in 2013. However, in 2018—his final year as governor—Hickenlooper vetoed nine bills as he prepared for his unsuccessful presidential bid. The record for most vetoes in a single year belongs to Republican Governor Bill Owens, who vetoed an astonishing 47 bills in 2005. Based on recent trends, we can expect Governor Polis to veto between three to six bills this session. Given the tight budget, he may use his veto power strategically to curb spending on high-cost legislation.

End-of-Session Rush – As the session draws to a close, there’s often a surge of activity. Bills that haven’t yet passed must be voted on quickly, and last-minute amendments are frequently tacked onto key pieces of legislation. This “end-of-session rush” can be chaotic, as lawmakers scramble to wrap up their work before the clock runs out. Major legislation, like the property tax overhaul last session, is sometimes pushed through in the final hours, making this period particularly frenetic and high-pressure. Last year, just over 56 hours after state lawmakers first revealed the details, a sweeping reform of Colorado’s property tax code was approved by the General Assembly on the final day of the session. But later, lawmakers had to reconvene for a special session to further address property tax. So, don’t be surprised if major issues emerge in the final weeks—or even days—of the session.

Influence of Political Parties – The political party in power plays a key role in determining the direction of the legislative session. When one party controls both the state House and Senate, it generally has a clearer path to advancing its legislative agenda. However, if control is divided or there are significant political disagreements, negotiations and compromises can slow down the process, making the session more complex and often contentious. Republicans will undoubtedly work hard to push back against progressive policies, but we can also expect some inter-party drama. Despite Democratic control, there are divisions within the party, whether between General Assembly legislators or between the legislature and the Governor. A major point of contention is already shaping up for 2025, as Governor Polis and General Assembly Democrats are at odds over proposed changes to the Labor Peace Act. In his State of the State Address, Governor Polis made it clear that any changes to the Labor Peace Act should only move forward if there is consensus between employers and workers.

Constituent Services and Advocacy – During the legislative session, lawmakers often balance their responsibilities in Denver with serving their constituents back home. This means juggling town halls, constituent meetings, and addressing concerns, all while staying focused on the demands of the session. This dual responsibility requires legislators to constantly shift between their duties at the Capitol and their connection to the people they represent. It’s important to keep a close eye on this dynamic this year, as I expect rural legislators to play a critical and vocal role this year in highlighting the issues facing their communities—whether it’s roads, water, or wolves.

Media Attention – The media closely tracks the legislative session, offering regular coverage of key bills, votes, and political developments. This heightened media attention adds to the already busy atmosphere, as lawmakers are frequently required to respond to press inquiries, issue statements, and participate in interviews. The increased public scrutiny can make the work even more demanding, as legislators must balance the legislative process with maintaining their public image. Lawmakers are no strangers to this kind of scrutiny. In recent years, we’ve seen a range of controversies, including a lawmaker arrested for DUI, another who accidentally dropped a firearm in a public area of the Capitol while rushing to a meeting, one facing an ethics panel over her behavior and drinking, and another stripped of her aides due to mistreatment of staff. All eyes will be on the Capitol with session in full swing.

The Colorado legislative session is a fast-paced and high-pressure period that requires significant time, energy, and focus from state lawmakers, lobbyists, and staff. With intense legislative activity, committee work, public engagement, and the constant need to meet deadlines, it’s the busiest time of the year for the state’s elected officials and political insiders.

Over the next four months, I look forward to being your eyes and ears at the Capitol. Please feel free to reach out with any comments or questions.

And now, a few things you may have missed:

• Immigrants in Denver weighing options — from self-deporting to fleeing to Canada — ahead of Trump presidency – Many immigrants are weighing their options as they wait for the enactment of the new administration’s immigration policies after Donald Trump takes office for a second time on Jan. 20. They’re considering how those changes might affect their lives and their ability to remain in the United States. Denver-area immigration advocacy groups and attorneys say they have heard from distressed migrants — predominantly recent arrivals — who are considering turning themselves in to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, voluntarily leaving the country or even taking their chances by seeking asylum in Canada.
• Newly arriving immigrant students continue to buoy Denver Public Schools enrollment – Buoyed by newly arriving immigrant students, Denver Public Schools has about 1,000 more students enrolled this school year than district officials had projected — marking a second year of consecutive gains. According to a budget report prepared for the board’s work session Thursday, the 84,908 students counted in October marked the highest enrollment numbers in recent years. The district has been struggling — like many districts across Colorado and the U.S. — with declining enrollment. Some have identified lower birth rates, skyrocketing home costs in Denver and gentrification as the major forces driving student declines.
• 1 killed, 2 injured in string of stabbings along Denver’s 16th Street Mall – A woman was killed and two men were injured Saturday night in a string of stabbings along 16th Street Mall in Denver’s Central Business District. All three stabbings happened on 16th Street between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Denver Police Department said in a news release. Officers first responded to a stabbing in the 700 block of 16th Street, near California Street, around 5:20 p.m., police said in the news release. Police said paramedics took an unidentified woman to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Two other nonfatal stabbings are under investigation: one that happened near 16th Street and Lawrence Street around 5:56 p.m. and one that happened near 16th Street and Tremont Street around 6:20 p.m., police said. Paramedics took two men to the hospital with minor injuries — one from each stabbing
• Arapahoe County swears in new, returning commissioners, new district attorney – Arapahoe County swore several new elected officials into office in a ceremony Thursday evening, welcoming back two county commissioners, a new commissioner and a new district attorney. As Amy Padden, the new district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, takes the position, the makeup of the district is changing. The addition of Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District means that Arapahoe County is now the sole entity of the 18th Judicial District, which once consisted of four counties.
• Trade group sounds alarm over potential cuts to Colorado business grants – An expected state budget deficit could shrink a program aimed at supporting Colorado businesses this year. The Colorado Bioscience Association warned that the state’s anticipated budget deficit in the 2025-26 fiscal year — estimated by state economists reach as high as $750 million — could create a harmful gap in economic development programs. Top among the group’s concerns is the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program, a grant program that supports startups in industries like software, aerospace and bioscience with awards that typically range from about $100,000 to $500,000.
• Biden extends protected status for migrants from four countries ahead of Trump return – With a little over a week before the end of President Joe Biden’s term, his administration extended humanitarian protections for nationals from four countries Friday before President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised an immigration crackdown, returns to the White House. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for another 18 months for 103,000 Ukrainians, about 600,000 Venezuelans, and 1,900 Sudanese, which is until October 2026. DHS also extended TPS for 232,000 Salvadorians until September 2026. Roughly 1 million people have TPS, which allows them to live and work in the U.S. because their home country is deemed too dangerous to return to for reasons including war, environmental disasters or violence. It’s up to an administration to determine whether or not to renew a status. TPS does not lead to a long-term path to citizenship. Immigration advocates have pushed the Biden administration to extend TPS status before a second Trump administration. The former president has expressed his intent to not only enact mass deportations, but to scale back humanitarian programs.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!

Best,

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