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: Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Watch
All that’s happening with the Joint Budget Committee — what Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee is doing with the state budget.
What Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee is doing with the state budget.
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.
CAPITOL CHATTER
Press releases, news articles, and more
News Article – January 31, 2025 – Colorado Sun Colorado’s cities, counties could be required to limit the amount and type of grass allowed around homes by 2028
News Article – January 31, 2025 – Colorado Sun Conservative activists start 2026 Colorado ballot measure blitz with immigration, fentanyl and fees
News Article – February 3, 2025 – Denver Post In a warning for Colorado Democrats, a new poll shows their popularity slipping. Now what?
News Article – February 3, 2025 – Colorado Sun How the Colorado Labor Peace Act came to be and why unions want so desperately to get rid of it
News Article – February 3, 2025 – Colorado Sun TABOR’s vanishing people: Why lawmakers are afraid 24,000 Coloradans may disappear in the next budget year
News Article – February 4, 2025 – Colorado Sun Colorado is on track to raise the minimum age to buy firearm ammunition to 21
News Article – February 4, 2025 – Denverite 1,800 pack Denver church as Trump’s immigration plans spur resistance
News Article – February 5, 2025 – Colorado Sun Is northwestern Colorado the next nuclear waste site?
News Article – February 5, 2025 – Colorado Sun Thousands gather at Colorado Capitol as part of nationwide protests against Trump policies
News Article – February 8, 2025 – Colorado Sun Colorado Senate debate on bill banning manufacture, sale of semiautomatic guns delayed amid negotiations with Jared Polis
News Article – February 11, 2025 – Colorado Sun All the lawsuits Colorado has filed against the Trump administration so far
News Article – February 10, 2025 – Denver7 Bill to increase fentanyl criminal penalties halted in Colorado Senate
News Article – February 11, 2025 – KKTV ‘It truly affects all consumers’: New Colorado Price Gouging Bill Headed to the House for Voting