THE MOTHER LODE
A short, sweet, and rich summary of what’s happened at the Capitol
Colorado lawmakers saw several major developments last week, beginning with the confirmation of new HCPF Executive Director Gretchen Hammer. A familiar face within the department, Hammer previously served as Medicaid Director and emphasized during her Senate Health Committee hearing that she plans to get to work immediately, focusing on addressing spending concerns and rooting out fraud.
A controversial topic that was debated on the House floor was the topic of agricultural worker overtime pay. SB26-121, which addresses overtime thresholds for agricultural employees, sparked an intense two- day debate on the House floor. Progressive lawmakers voiced opposition and proposed shifting toward tax credits, resulting in 28 amendments being offered. Ultimately, only one amendment was adopted, ensuring workers are paid for all hours worked. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by two rural legislators representing agricultural communities, narrowly passed by a 33-32 vote.
Budget debates also took center stage in both chambers. In the House, lawmakers approved an amendment expanding the “Cover All Coloradans” program, funded in part through cuts to private prisons, while the Senate left that funding unchanged. Despite more than 70 proposed amendments, only a handful were adopted. Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Littleton, also had the bill read at length, both to highlight its
contents and to protest how House leadership and the Ethics Committee handled her sexual harassment complaint against Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. The extended reading pushed the House into a rare Saturday session.
In the Senate, the Appropriations Committee followed standard practice by stripping out House amendments from the Long Bill. Of roughly 50 proposed amendments, only a few minor changes were approved. One notable addition, from Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, included a footnote that would end funding for wolf reintroduction. The budget will now move to a conference committee, where lawmakers will negotiate final provisions from both chambers.
Outside the Capitol, Republicans held their State Assembly in Pueblo on April 11th, shaping the upcoming primary landscape. Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-Colorado Springs, secured the top line on the ballot, with Victor Marx also qualifying, setting up a three-way primary alongside Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, who petitioned onto the ballot. Meanwhile, Republicans nominated Sen. Mark Baisley, R- Roxborough Park, as their sole candidate, positioning him for a likely general election matchup against U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper.
Notable House Bills Introduced:
HB26-1351 – Healthy School Meals for All State Education Fund HB26-1357 – Phase-out Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation Program HB26-1363 – Temporarily Reduce General Fund Reserve HB26-1374 – Kinship Care Funding Provisions HB26-1398 – Retail Delivery Fee Revenue Allocation HB26-1399 – Eliminate General Fund Transfer to Multimodal Transportation Fund HB26-1401 – Transfers from Unclaimed Property Trust Fund HB26-1409 – Marijuana Tax Cash Fund Distributions HB26-1411 – Changes to Cover All Coloradans Program HB26-1412 – Department of Health Care Policy & Financing Statistical
Sampling & Extrapolation
Notable Senate Bills Introduced:
SB26-161 – Modernize Regulation of Cannabis-Related Products
Notable Resolutions Introduced:
HCR26-1002 – Require Age Verification for Pornographic Material HR26-1008 – Affrm Commitment to Taxpayer Bill of Rights SJR26-022 – Plastic Pollution Awareness
CAPITOL CHATTER
Press releases, news articles, and more
April 16 – Noise exemptions for concert venues remain in doubt after Colorado House kills bill to restore local control
April 16 – After a parade of Medicaid errors and cuts, Colorado lawmakers plan a deep review of health care program
April 15 – Colorado budget plan seeks to keep $306 millions by canceling TABOR refunds
April 15 – After internal strategy sessions, Colorado Senate to take up $46B budget debate
April 15 – Democratic lawmakers target Colorado’s stalled prison population plan
April 14 – Colorado lawmakers want to end use of taxpayer dollars to bring more wolves to state
April 13 – Jared Polis says Colorado needs a new prison ASAP, even as crime has fallen. How did we get here?
April 11 – Colorado House finishes work on 2026-27 state budget, finally
April 11 – Lost sleep for Colorado lawmakers as they reckon with budget cuts for disabled people, immigrant children
April 11 – A closer look at Colorado’s proposed budget cuts, from a dental fund to financial aid to health provider fees
April 10 – What you need to know about the Colorado legislature reading a 661-page bill aloud
April 10 – Amid crisis in tiny Colorado community, bill would make it easier to declare towns abandoned
April 10 – Literal reading of budget bill complicates Colorado legislators’ plans for GOP assembly
April 8 – Imposter Palisade peaches beware: Colorado governor signs bill cracking down on counterfeit produce
April 8 – Legislature will try again to lower homeowners insurance rates by funding hail-resistant roofs
April 7 – Colorado lawmakers take another stab at spinning o" the states’ workers’ comp carrier
April 7 – Colorado lawmakers revive effort to drive down homeowners insurance costs with fees on carriers
April 7 – Polis signs measure expanding who can petition to remove someone’s guns under ‘red flag’ law
April 3 – Gov. Polis names new leaders for Colorado health agencies in wake of Medicaid turmoil
April 1 – Colorado budget writers pick new contract with private prison company over new state-run facility to deal with inmate growth
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
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