Colorado Politics

 Attorney General issues public advisory on new kratom law

The Attorney General has issued a public advisory to notify Coloradans of changes to state law governing kratom products following the passage of a new law earlier this year. Kratom is a plant-derived substance that can have intoxicating effects when...

 Colorado health officials unveil plan to soften impact of federal cuts to Medicaid

Colorado’s health officials on Tuesday unveiled a plan to tackle changes to Medicaid outlined in a Congressional budget — with the goal of avoiding “draconian” cuts to the health program. Ultimately, a big part of that strategy is to reduce...

 Federal judge, for now, declines to block Colorado’s gas stove disclosure law

A federal judge on Monday declined to block a 2025 Colorado law requiring health disclosures on new gas-fueled stoves, instead suggesting the state work with the challengers to voluntarily halt enforcement in the near-term. In June, Gov. Jared Polis signed...

 Complaint accuses Rep. Weinberg of misusing campaign funds for gifts, apparel, travel

A campaign finance complaint has been filed by state Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Roxborough Park, against fellow House member, Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, over contributions she says violate state campaign finance laws. Most notably, Weinberg, according to his TRACER account, contributed...

 Denver’s ‘Eat Less Meat’ campaign sparks backlash from ag community, praise from activists

A climate campaign by the Johnston administration in Denver, which notably encourages people to “eat less meat,” drew criticism from Colorado’s agricultural producers, who called the marketing blitz “tone deaf,” “elitist” and yet another “demonization” of cattle production. Activists, meanwhile,...

 Colorado governor, legislators have yet to agree how to plug $800M deficit | ANALYSIS

Colorado legislators will convene at the state Capitol in about two weeks without first having secured a deal—congress budget discussions are ongoing— with the governor or among themselves — outlining how to plug an $800 million budget deficit, which means...

 Rural Reckoning | Polis, lawmakers say housing, health policies benefit rural Colorado

Amid the tension between rural and urban leaders at the state Capitol, the governor and lawmakers have tackled housing, healthcare, food security and mental health access across Colorado’s rural communities, advocates from both sides of that divide said.   They pointed...

 Awareness of 988 Colorado grew 80% in past year, mental health line says

Awareness of Colorado’s statewide mental health support hotline increased by 80% in the past year — thanks to recent improvements and an extensive public outreach campaign. Established through legislation in 2021 as Colorado’s version of the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline,...

 House Republican leader forwards allegations against Ron Weinberg to Legislative Legal Services

A pair of letters from women accusing a Loveland legislator of making lewd comments has been sent to the Office of Legislative Workplace Relations, according to a House Republican leader. The letters came from former Elizabeth School Board member Heather Booth,...

 Two women accuse Colorado representative of making sexual comments; legislator denies allegations

Two women have accused a state legislator of making graphic sexual comments toward them at public events a few years ago. Rep. Ron Weinberg’s announcement has denied the allegations, calling them “politically motivated.”    The accusations were included in a pair...

 Rep. Carlos Barron elected as state House Minority Whip

Freshman state Rep. Carlos Barron, R-Fort Lupton, has been selected as the House Minority Whip, the Republican caucus announced Monday.  “I’m honored to serve as Caucus Whip and thankful for the trust of my colleagues,” said Barron. “Together, we’ll work...

 Republicans Ron Weinberg and Brandi Bradley run for minority whip

Two Republicans are seeking a leadership position at the state Capitol, after the minority whip announced his resignation to take a job in Arizona.  Reps. Ron Weinberg of Loveland and Brandi Bradley of Roxborough both announced they are running for...

 Colorado governor announces $250,000 grant for places of worship following Boulder attack

Gov. Jared Polis announced that $250,000 is available for organizations at “increased risk” of threat following the attack on a group of Jewish demonstrators in Boulder earlier this month.  The funds, made possible through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, will...

 Colorado legislator resigns for job in Arizona

House Minority Whip Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, will resign from his seat effective Sept. 1, he announced on Monday.  In a post on X, Armagost said he was offered a “fantastic professional opportunity” in Arizona. He didn’t describe what the...

 New Colorado laws take effect July 1: Guns, domestic violence policies

While most bills passed in Colorado become law the minute the governor puts pen to paper, many aren’t officially in effect for months or over a year after passage. Here are the laws passed during the last two legislative sessions...

 Colorado measure to regulate kratom sparks debate among industry stakeholders

A proposed bill to regulate the dietary supplement kratom has divided key industry players—some view it as a positive step forward. In contrast, others argue it won’t stop unscrupulous sellers from distributing adulterated products because it does not go far...

 Freshmen lawmaker Q&A | Colorado newcomers reflect on 2025 Colorado legislative session

As the 2025 legislative session wrapped up, Colorado Politics spoke with four freshman lawmakers about their first 120 days at the state Capitol and their reflections on the experience. The lawmakers were Democratic Rep. Rebekah Stewart of Lakewood, a former city...

 Back for more | In 2025 Colorado legislators revive failed measures, with more planned in 2026

Playing the long game is paying off for some Colorado lawmakers. Some of the state’s most significant legislation in 2025 stemmed from years of slogging, as measures once declared dead in previous sessions were revived — a pattern that’s becoming...

 Bent County opposes new firearm training law with resolution to be ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’

An eastern Colorado county has passed a resolution declaring itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” in opposition to a bill passed by the legislature this year that requires individuals to participate in safety training to be eligible to purchase certain types...

 Charges filed against Colorado man accused of sexually assaulting lawmaker while posing as Lyft driver

District Attorney Brian Mason of Adams and Broomfield Counties has filed a felony charge against a man accused of sexually assaulting a state lawmaker last year while posing as a rideshare driver.  Mukhammadali Mukadyrov, 42, has been charged with one...

 Colorado lawmakers kill proposal to create loan program for fire departments

A panel of Colorado lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly rejected legislation that would have created a loan program for fire departments to help with equipment purchases and infrastructure improvements.    House Bill 1078 would have required the state treasurer to take out...

 Colorado Democrats send union bill to Gov Jared Polis with veto threat looming

Colorado lawmakers on Tuesday officially approved the proposal to eliminate the requirement for an election before labor organizations can negotiate to impose dues on non-union members. The measure’s fate remains uncertain, as Gov. Jared Polis has said he would veto...

 Colorado senators pass bill to penalize ‘deadnaming,’ ‘misgendering’ transgender individuals

Colorado senators began their final week of session debating a proposal to add “deadnaming” and “misgendering” to the state’s anti-discrimination law. The measure passed on a 20-14 vote, with all Republicans and Democratic Sens. Marc Snyder of Colorado Springs and...

 Colorado lawmakers tackle bill to collect data on psilocybin program

Colorado lawmakers are considering legislation that would charge the state health agency to collect data and information on the health effects of the state’s psilocybin program, which is set to launch this summer.  Under the bill, the Department of Public Health...

 Colorado House passes immigration bill to limit ICE access to schools, hospitals

After over four hours of debate spanning two days, lawmakers in the Colorado state House on Saturday passed legislation to limit federal immigration officers’ access into specific Colorado places, such as schools, and penalize, under specific situations, entities that provide...

 Tempers flare at Colorado state Capitol, with only days to go before lawmakers wrap up work

Colorado lawmakers are feeling the weight of the final days of the legislative session, leading to several contentious moments on the House floor. Here’s a few.  Bill on identification forms sparks two-hour debate over race  A bill that seeks to...

 Colorado Senate panel OKs amended version of bill penalizing ‘misgendering’ and ‘deadnaming’

The legislation that seeks to penalize “deadnaming” and “misgendering” drew in more than 600 people to a committee hearing at the state Capitol yesterday, when some argued that the proposal is necessary while others insisted questions over whether transition services...

 Bill to curb credit card ‘swipe fees’ put on hold in Colorado Senate

The Senate sponsors of a bill that sought to rein in “swipe fees” imposed by credit card companies on taxes and tips are postponing the measure until next session. The delay will give sponsors more time to communicate directly with...

 Faith-based group urges Colorado Baptist pastors, members to oppose transgender bill

A faith-based association is urging pastors and members of the Southern Baptist Convention in Colorado to speak out against a bill that seeks to penalize “deadnaming” and “misgendering” as discriminatory actions and mandate the courts to include such claims in...

 Colorado Democrats push to eliminate statute of limitations on child sex abuse

Colorado lawmakers hope to bring a constitutional amendment to the ballot next year to eliminate the statute of limitations for civil claims in childhood sexual abuse cases.  Sponsors argued that the proposal would remedy a loophole that has precluded victims...