Colorado governor signs bill halting expansion of hard liquor sales in grocery and big-box stores
Senate Bill 33 was brought as a way to protect small businesses that sell alcohol from further economic decline following the expansion of beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Supporters worried Gov. Jared Polis would veto it.
Colorado ditches plan to reduce utilities’ wildfire liability. Homeowners may face fees instead.
A 0.5% fee would be imposed under House Bill 1302 on every home insurance policy in Colorado, unless a house meets certain wildfire mitigation standards
Colorado’s political parties navigate a changed political landscape
Democratic soul searching. A Republican fork in the road. As the nation undergoes enormous political shifts, Colorado’s political parties are struggling to find their footing.
Future of union organizing in Colorado remains fuzzy as legislative session enters home stretch
Senate Bill 5 would abolish a requirement in the Colorado Labor Peace Act that 75% of workers at a company sign off before union security negotiations can begin. The bill is a priority for unions and loathed by business interests. Gov. Jared Polis is in the mix, too.
Vacancy-appointed Colorado lawmakers would have to run to keep their seat after a year under reform proposal
The legislation is a response to the growing calls for vacancy appointment reform that began in 2018 when The Colorado Sun first highlighted how many state legislative seats were secured through the vacancy process.
Meet the dogs of the Colorado Capitol. Like, literal dogs
The seat of Colorado’s government can sometimes feel like a doggy day care as Gov. Jared Polis and several state lawmakers frequently bring their pups to work.
Colorado lawmakers hit halftime at the State Capitol
With less than 60 days left to go and plenty of big, controversial bills still in play, it’s crunch time for state lawmakers.
Colorado lawmakers consider rollback of sperm donor disclosure requirements adopted in wake of scandals
Colorado was the first state to outlaw anonymous sperm donation. But a bill this year would reverse some of those transparency rules.
Colorado lawmakers cut bill-drafting power of teen panel, but opt to keep 20-year-old Capitol program
The legislature planned to axe the Colorado Youth Advisory Council to save $50,000 annually amid a tight state budget.
Colorado bill restricting sale of certain semiautomatic guns clears first House committee after notable tweaks
An amendment to Senate Bill 3 would give sheriffs broad power to deny an application to buy certain semiautomatic guns that accept detachable magazines if they have a “reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the applicant makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to themself or others.”
Colorado is about to further limit when sexual assault victims’ prior sexual activity can be discussed in court
House Bill 1138 would eliminate an exemption allowing courtroom discussion of a sexual assault victim’s prior sexual activity when it involved the defendant.
Vacancy appointments get lots of lawmakers to the capitol. Is it time for a change?
Colorado takes a relatively cheap and fast approach for filling statehouse vacancies. What it’s not, is democratic.
Colorado lawmakers, amid tight budget, plan to shut down 20-year-old program getting teens involved at Capitol
Shutting down the Colorado Youth Advisory Council would save about $50,000 a year. That’s a relatively paltry amount, but it’s meant to send a message that costs must be trimmed wherever possible.
How Colorado lawmakers and the governor want to incentivize the construction of affordable condos
House Bill 1272 would rewrite the so-called construction defect liability rules for condos sold for up to $1.2 million. The measure’s sponsors are hoping to find a sweet spot where everyone is a little unhappy.
Colorado ban on manufacture, sale of certain semiautomatic guns now on glidepath to governor’s desk
Senate Bill 3 passed on a 19-15 vote, with three Democrats joining all of the Republicans in the chamber in voting against the measure.
Colorado Senate adds major exception to ban on sale of certain semiautomatic guns before moving it forward
To qualify for the carveout, a gun purchaser would have to complete a training course offered through the state.
