THE MOTHER LODE
A short, sweet, and rich summary of what’s happened at the Capitol
Last week, department supplemental budget requests approved by the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) were heard and passed out of the House. Two proposals generated the most discussion on the House floor.
Department of Corrections Supplemental (HB26-1151)
The first was the Department of Corrections supplemental, HB26-1151, which would increase the number of prison beds. During its consideration in the JBC, the request was initially denied before ultimately being approved.
On the House floor, debate centered on whether additional beds are necessary. Democrats argued that the focus should be on criminal justice reform rather than expanding prison capacity. Republicans countered that sentencing decisions are made by the judicial system, and it is the responsibility of the Department of Corrections to carry out those sentences. They maintained that if inmate populations increase, additional beds are necessary to ensure the safety of both inmates and corrections staff. Republicans also made the argument that if Democrats were so concerned about releasing inmates, then they should release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
Governor’s Offce Supplemental (HB26-1154)
The second supplemental that sparked debate was HB26-1154, covering the Department of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Offce of State Planning & Budgeting. The controversy focused on approximately $743,000 in funding for the Colorado Offce of Film, Television and Media.
An amendment to remove this funding was brought by Douglas County Democrat Rep. Bob Marshall, a vocal critic of tax incentives approved last year to attract the Sundance Film Festival to Boulder. Republicans supported the effort to strip the funding, and after debate, the amendment passed.
However, at the end of floor work, Rep. Brianna Titone, one of last year’s prime sponsors of the Sundance tax credit, introduced an amendment to restore the funding. That amendment succeeded, and the funding was added back into the bill.
Firearm Legislation
Gun policy continues to be a focus for Democrats. Last week, one of Sen. Tom Sullivan’s bill, SB26-043, was heard in committee and advanced to the Senate floor. The bill would regulate firearm barrels, require their registration, and limit sales of these components to federally licensed firearms (FFL) dealers.
Meanwhile, Reps. Max Brooks and Brandi Bradley introduced HB26- 1021, a bill that would repeal more than 30 firearm regulations passed in recent years. The bill was not expected to advance out of committee, and it did not, but it served as what is commonly referred to as a “statement bill.” These bills are typically introduced by the minority party to put members on record, even when passage is unlikely.
House Ethics Committee Investigation
Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie launched a House Ethics
Committee to investigate complaints filed against Rep. Ron Weinberg. The committee held its first hearing last week.
The complaints allege inappropriate behavior, including sexually harassing comments made by Rep. Weinberg toward Rep. Bradley, Rep. Dusty Johnson, and other female members of the Colorado House. The investigation will also examine claims that Weinberg obtained a master key to the Capitol.
Rep. Weinberg had until yesterday to respond to the complaint. The Ethics Committee is expected to meet at least once more to discuss its findings and determine whether further action or consequences are warranted.
Senate Leadership Resignation
Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet of Commerce City resigned on February 10, effective this week, after nearly a decade at the Capitol. She has accepted a position with the David Merage Foundation for Confronting Antisemitism, a local nonprofit organization.
Michaelson Jenet cited legislative pay as a primary reason for her resignation. Her departure leaves her pending legislation in limbo and requires Democrats to convene a vacancy committee to fill her seat. Former State Rep. Adrienne Benavidez has already announced her intention to seek the appointment, and additional candidates are expected to enter the race. Notably, Benavidez resigned from the Colorado House in 2021 during her fourth and final term.
Notable House Bills Introduced:
HB26-1106 – Eviction Protections for Tenants HB26-1108 – Colorado Bureau of Investigation Access Federal Fingerprint Search Service HB26-1121 – Public Accessibility of Emissions Records
HB26-1123 – Preventing Sexual Abuse in Jails HB26-1126 – Requirements for Firearms Dealers HB26-1135 – Transparency of Chemicals Used in Hair Products HB26-1138 – Retail Theft Prevention Program HB26-1139 – Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care HB26-1144 – Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components HB26-1148 – Protections for Youth on Social Media HB26-1190 – Alcohol Beverage Manufacturer Sales HB26-1195 – Psychotherapy Artificial Intelligence Restrictions HB26-1202 – Strategy to Reduce & Prevent Homelessness
Notable Senate Bills Introduced:
SB26-056 – State Overtime Compensation Income Tax SB26- 059 – Multiple Elected Offces Prohibited for General Assembly SB26-062 – Rodenticide Use Restrictions SB26-065 – Systemic Insecticide Use Limitations SB26-087 – Create Legislative Leave Job Protection for General Assembly Members SB26-089 – Recreate Wildfire Matter Interim Committee SB26-093 – Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage Verification SB26-097 – Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity SB26-101 – Local Government Landfill Methane Emission Reduction Regulations SB26-102 – Large-Load Data Centers
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.
The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) has shifted its focus from supplemental funding requests to reviewing this year’s budget proposals from state departments.
This year presents a significant challenge. The JBC must identify more than $850 million in budget reductions, after making similar cuts last year. The shortfall will require difficult decisions and prioritizations across departments.
The committee is chaired this year by Rep. Sirota, with last year’s chair, Sen. Jeff Bridges, serving as Vice Chair.
To help address the shortfall, committee members have asked state departments to present proposed reductions as part of their budget requests. Additionally, any legislation carrying fiscal notes is expected to face a steep uphill climb as lawmakers work to balance the budget.
CAPITOL CHATTER
Press releases, news articles, and more
January 28: Former Colorado state senator convicted of felonies for fabricating letters amid ethics investigation January 31: Western Slope teacher-turned-lawmaker’s bill seeks to protect online “kidfluencers”, mirror e#orts in other states
February 2: Democratic lawmakers plan package of bills to further regulate federal immigration enforcement in Colorado February 3: Bill Expanding Colorado’s “Red Flag” gun law sails through state Senate, heads to House February 4: Ban on plastic-pellets discharge up first on environmental-bill debates February 5: Colorado Democrats propose new limits on 3D printed guns, tougher rules for firearms dealers February 6: Legislator revives bill to make companies list emissions totals on their websites February 6: As federal vaccine guidance shifts, Colorado legislator favor recommendations from pediatric groups February 7: Pro-Density housing bill clears Colorado House, moves to Senate February 9: Some Democrats want to impose new fees on beer, wine and spirits to fund Colorado addiction services February 10: Committee kills vacancy-tax proposal, but more housing debates are coming February 10: Colorado lawmakers kill proposal allowing local governments to tax vacant homes February 10: One of top Colorado Democrats in state Senate resigns to take new job February 10: A top Democrat in Colorado Senate is resigning to take nonprofit job, citing legislative pay February 11: Legislature rejects attempt to let Colorado communities increase taxes on often-vacant homes February 11: Colorado law prohibits candidates from running for two elected offices at the same time. Sort of. February 12: “Huge Deal” tax-bill package seeks to roll back and decouple tax breaks February 13: Colorado would become first state to remove all criminal penalties for prostitution under bill brought by group of Democrats February 13: “Tamale Act” would expand the kinds of food Colorado home chefs can sell February 13: Colorado Capitol caucuses would have to disclose their donors, spending under Democratic unity bill February 13: Colorado legislators, friends and family pay tribute to late Sen
Faith Winter February 13: Colorado policymakers scramble with prisons on track to exceed capacity February 13: Push to regulate high concession prices in Colorado could hurt vendors, critics warn February 14: When should Colorado farmworkers be entitled to overtime? Even Democrats don’t agree February 16: Researchers to study universal health care, as Coloradans face $1 billion in medical debt February 17: Democrats aim to roll back business tax breaks to fund new per- child benefit for lower-income Colorado families February 17: Democrats aim to roll back business tax breaks to fund new per- child benefit for lower-income Colorado families February 17: Colorado Democrats Propose Tax Reforms Steering Impact of Federal Tax Cuts to Families February 17: Sex, Money and ICE: Ten Pending Bills in the Colorado Legislature
THE LOBBY TEAM
Always at your service and geared up
Jake Zambrano PRINCIPAL
[email protected] 303-378-2545
Eriks Lindemanis GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE
[email protected] 303-349-6858
76 Group began as EIS Solutions in 2002. Originally founded to help companies navigate environmental reviews on public lands — known in technical terms as the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) — our company had evolved to become a full-service public affairs firm. We forge a path to victory for a wide range of corporate, non-profit, and political clients.
Copyright © 2026 76 Group, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.