THE MOTHER LODE
A short, sweet, and rich summary of what’s happened at the Capitol
Topics at the Capitol over the past two weeks have included ethics and criminal proceedings, firearms legislation, immigration policy, and increasingly pointed floor debate.
The ethics investigation involving Sen. Ron Weinberg, R- Loveland, moved forward with some complaints dismissed and others advancing for further review. At this point, any significant disciplinary action appears unlikely. In a separate matter, former Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, was sentenced to two years’ probation after being convicted of attempting to influence a public servant and forgery for fabricating letters of support during an investigation into her alleged mistreatment of Capitol aides.
After the sentencing, Gov. Jared Polis used Lewis’ probation sentence as a possible reason to pardon former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who received a nine-year sentence for allowing unauthorized individuals to access sensitive voting-machine software and helped copy and circulate confidential election data. Polis, who came under fire from both sides of the political aisle after floating the idea of clemency on social media, said that both Lewis and Peters were charged with attempting to influence a public servant but Lewis received a much lighter sentence. Peters was charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors. Polis announced he is reviewing cases that may involve
sentencing disparities and has extended the deadline for clemency requests to April 3.
A legislative vacancy was also filled during this period. Following the departure of Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Janet, a vacancy committee selected former State Rep. Irene Aguilar Benevidez as her successor, which maintains the current party balance in the chamber. Sen. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, was selected to fill in as the new Senator Pro Tempore.
Firearms legislation continues to advance in both chambers. A House bill banning the 3D printing of firearms and firearm components passed the House and now heads to the Senate. Meanwhile, a Senate bill requiring the registration of firearm barrels passed that chamber and now moves to the House. Both measures are expected to generate continued debate as they move forward.
Immigration remains a hot topic during this session. In the last couple weeks, the use of license plate reading cameras, which record vehicle movements, has been a contentious topic. Some lawmakers argue that law enforcement should be required to obtain a warrant before accessing data collected by these devices, while law enforcement officials contend the technology is especially valuable during the early stages of investigations. The debate reflects broader tensions over privacy and public safety.
In the House, the use of “points of personal privilege” has become a source of contention. Last week, Democratic members used the procedural tool to criticize political opponents. Rep. Yara Zokaie, D- Fort Collins, spoke about recent the U.S. and Israel attacks in Iran, and Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, addressed disagreements with a county sheri#, including an email he sent out criticizing her and her concerns about the potential extended detention of individuals based on immigration status. House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell called out Democrats for their misuse of “points of personal privilege” yesterday and asked that they get back to their intended use.
Finally, two of the session’s most closely watched and controversial measures have now been introduced. Senate Bill 26-131, “Sports Betting Protections,” would establish new consumer safeguards and advertising restrictions for sports betting in Colorado. The proposal limits certain operator practices, including capping daily deposits, prohibiting push notifications that solicit bets, banning proposition bets and credit card deposits, and restricting the timing and content of advertising. It also requires operators to provide annual data to the Division of Gaming for periodic public reporting, creates penalties for violations, and preserves minimum annual transfers from the Sports Betting Fund to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund. Senate Bill 26-097, “Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity,” would decriminalize consensual commercial sexual activity among adults statewide and preempt conflicting local laws. The bill repeals criminal o#enses related to prostitution while maintaining penalties for pimping and for coercive or intimidating conduct, updating statutory terminology to “commercial sexual activity.” It also makes related statutory changes, including adjustments to human traffcking provisions and regulatory laws, and eliminates a diversion program associated with certain prostitution-related o#enses.
Notable House Bills Introduced:
HB26-1250 – Procedures Related to Civil Asset Forfeiture HB26-1255 – Social Media Duty to Report & Search Warrants HB26-1256 – Procedures & Data Individual’s Release from Department of Corrections HB26 -1263 – Conversional Artificial Intelligence Service Operator Requirements HB26-1272 – Extreme Temperatures Worker Protections HB26-1275 – Law Enforcement Identification & Immigration Training Requirements HB26-1276 – Protect Safety of Individuals Who Are Immigrants HB26-1289 – Modifications of Certain Tax Expenditures HB26-1301 – Hospital Funding
Notable Senate Bills Introduced:
SB26-131 – Sports Betting Protections SB26-097 – Decriminalize Adult Commercial Sexual Activity SB26-117 – Permissible Methods of Selling Lottery Tickets SB26-119 – Authorize Local Electronic Ballot Return
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) continues to meet as it works toward finalizing the state budget. Introduction of the budget bill, commonly referred to as the “Long Bill,” is scheduled to be introduced in the House by March 30. With less than a month remaining before its introduction, the JBC and state departments face difficult decisions as they work to balance priorities and finalize funding allocations.
CAPITOL CHATTER
Press releases, news articles, and more
March 4 – Colorado Democrats blast Gov Jared Polis as he again hints at intervening in Tina Peters’ prison sentence March 3 – Colorado Lives on a effort to prevent high “captive audience” pricing meets demise March 3 – Colorado lawmakers hope to cut CMAS testing time to ease student stress and the state budget March 2 – AI in Health care, open records rules on docket at Colorado Capitol March 2 – Colorado lawmakers debate limits on police surveillance, data and tech: ‘It’s not just coming down the pipe – it’s here’ March 2 – Colorado’s House, Senate advance pair of gun control bills targeting 3-D printing, barrel sales February 28 – Bills would allow people to sue ICE agents, limit online gambling, and more from the Colorado legislature this week February 27 – Former state representative tapped to fill vacant Colorado Senate seat February 27 – Former Colorado Senator gets probation, community service for faking support letters February 27 – Former Colorado state senator sentenced to probation for fabricating letters amid ethics investigation February 26 – Vacancy committee selects former state Rep. Adrienne Benavidez to replace Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet February 25 – AI chatbots operating in Colorado would have to take steps to protect kids, prevent suicides under bipartisan bill February 24 – Colorado legislature passes bills seeking to aid ranchers, coal industry workers February 24 – Bipartisan bill would limit Colorado law enforcement’s ability to access data from Flock cameras and other license plate readers February 23 – Proposed tax breaks for data centers would increase taxes for poor Coloradans, analysts say February 23 – Colorado governor wants to change a local tax benefiting schools to help the state’s budget deficit February 18 – Democrats propose bills to decouple Colorado
businesses from new tax breaks, revive tax credit for low-income families
THE LOBBY TEAM
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Jake Zambrano PRINCIPAL
[email protected] 303-378-2545
Eriks Lindemanis GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE
[email protected] 303-349-6858
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