Author: Marianne Goodland
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Colorado bill redirecting $300M in TABOR refunds raises legal concerns, sparks budget committee dispute
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A discussion about a bill that would eliminate $300 million in TABOR refunds over the next two fiscal years quickly shifted into a strategy session — and a tense exchange among Joint Budget Committee members — over what would happen if a lawsuit were filed to stop it. House Bill 1419 attempts to take $300…
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Colorado lawmakers to get automatic pay increase as $1.5B shortfall forces cuts to Medicaid, other services
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Colorado’s $1.5 billion budget deficit is driving widespread cuts across state services, including reduced reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers and steep income losses for families caring for relatives with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, as those reductions take effect, an automatic pay increase for state lawmakers — triggered by a 2024 change in law —…
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Colorado wolf-depredation claims exceed $1.07 million, far exceeding budget estimates
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After paying more than $706,000 in March to ranchers for livestock lost to wolves, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is poised to approve two additional claims totaling over $262,000 at its May 7 meeting. Those approvals would bring total payouts to $969,229.68, with another $55,845.71 in claims rejected across the March and May meetings.…
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Overtime for farms, school safety, public office rules: What’s new in Colorado law
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Gov. Jared Polis signed 25 bills into law Monday, bringing changes that will affect workers, families, schools, and local governments across Colorado. The new laws deal with a range of issues – from overtime rules for farmworkers to limits on lawmakers holding multiple offices, along with school safety upgrades and new standards for dementia care…
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Colorado lawmakers advance rewrite of 2024 law to regulate artificial intelligence
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With just nine days left in the 2026 legislative session, a revised proposal to amend the 2024 artificial‑intelligence law is finally advancing — even though it’s not the bill Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez had hoped for. Senate Bill 189, which largely mirrors a draft bill written by a governor-appointed task force, was introduced in…
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Colorado legislature enters final 10 days with hundreds of bills still unresolved
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With less than two weeks left in the 2026 session, Colorado lawmakers are staring down the final stretch of a crowded agenda, with 228 bills still unresolved as of Monday and several major measures that have yet to even be introduced. There are 228 bills still awaiting final resolution, including 78 House bills and 53…
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Colorado ethics committee flags irregularities in Democratic caucus spending
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The House ethics committee said Monday that reviewing the financial records connected to an ethics complaint against Aurora Democrat Rep. Mandy Lindsay is proving more complex than usual. The committee is examining a complaint from Rep. Bob Marshall, D‑Highlands Ranch, alleging that Lindsay mishandled and improperly used funds for her own personal benefit in a…
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Fight over credit card ‘swipe fees’ attracts nearly 200 lobbyists in Colorado
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One of the most expensive fights of the 2026 session got a little closer to being over on Friday, when the Colorado Senate took a second final vote on the proposal to eliminate “swipe fees” on sales taxes. It’s not exactly a David and Goliath story. It’s more like Goliath versus Goliath. Also known as…
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Aurora mental health nonprofit cuts 100-plus jobs after Colorado agency reduces reimbursement rate
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A nonprofit that provides services through 11 mental health centers in Aurora announced Thursday that it is eliminating 111 jobs effective June 30, the result of federal and state budget reductions. Aurora Mental Health & Recovery said the positions being eliminated are mostly administrative and support service jobs. That includes 91 jobs currently held by…
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Colorado bill prohibits credit card companies from charging ‘swipe fees’ on sales taxes
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Colorado senators on Wednesday voted to advance a proposal to eliminate credit card “swipe fees” on sales taxes. Proponents say the move would save businesses tens of thousands of dollars annually, while critics have countered those fees are needed to ensure a stable and secure environment for financial transactions. Also known as interchange fees, swipe…