This year's session will be defined by budget constraints, dozens of freshman legislators and an effort to balance the Democratic state government with the Republican federal government. Many big debates are on the way, from gun control to the cost of living to Medicaid funding.
Here are the basics to help you follow along:
Colorado's Lawmaking Process
The Colorado Legislature convenes for 120 days each year to consider new laws between January and May. Special sessions can also be called in the off-season to address specific issues like the COVID-19 pandemic or the 2023 property tax special session.Proposals begin with the introduction of a bill in either the Senate or the House of Representatives. The bill must then pass a vote in a committee related to the topic, such as the Education or Judiciary Committees. If the bill needs state money to be implemented, it must also pass the Appropriations Committee. Once the measure clears the committee votes, it goes to the full Senate or House for a debate and voice vote. It then faces a final official vote in that chamber. If the bill survives those steps, it is introduced in the second chamber to repeat the entire process. Once the legislature finishes its work, the bill is sent to the governor to be vetoed or signed into law.
This year, legislators have until May 7 to get their bills across the finish line.
Bills in Colorado
Hundreds of proposals will be debated over the next 120 days. Last year, legislators introduced 705 bills. Of them, 525 passed and all but six were signed into law by the governor. By 5 p.m. on the first day of the session, January 7, legislators had already introduced 125 bills.The vast majority of the proposals pass with bipartisan support — around 90 percent did so last year, according to the Colorado Sun. However, the bulk of debate and media coverage will surround the contentious issues.
This session, hot-button political topics in Colorado are expected to include gun control, labor union regulations, legislative vacancy reforms, policies to lower the cost of living and bills to respond to or defend against federal changes regarding immigration, abortion and LGBTQ rights from the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
Budget Constraints at the State Capitol
Though legislators will pass hundreds of bills over the next 120 days, the only thing they are constitutionally required to do is pass a balanced state budget. That responsibility will shape every vote this session.Legislators need to make $700 million worth of cuts to the budget for the next fiscal year, largely because of the end of one-time federal COVID relief money, unexpectedly high Medicaid costs and limits on governmental spending growth from the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). On top of that, voters passed a ballot measure in November requiring the legislature to designate $350 million for law enforcement recruitment and retention. The measure did not specify when the money must be spent, but Governor Jared Polis has asked legislators to do it as soon as possible.
To address the budget shortfall, Polis has recommended Medicaid cuts and changes to education funding. Legislators have also discussed cutting spending in recently created grant and pilot programs. As the budget debate continues throughout the session, it's unlikely that any new bills with big price tags will make it through.
Colorado State Legislators
There are 100 legislators who make up the Colorado legislature: 65 in the House and 35 in the Senate. Democrats have majority control over both chambers, with 43 Democrats to 22 Republicans in the House and 23 Democrats to twelve Republicans in the Senate.Thirty-four legislators will be new to their seats this session. Thirty were elected in November: 23 brand-new legislators and seven former House representatives who moved to the Senate. Three others — Matt Ball, John Carson and former Representative Iman Jodeh — were appointed to the Senate via vacancy committees in the last week after three senators resigned in November. A fourth legislator will soon be appointed to take Jodeh's spot in the House.
Term limits restrict all state legislators to serving no more than eight consecutive years. House representatives serve two-year terms and Senators serve four-year terms. The Colorado legislature is part-time, though legislators work to draft bills and serve on interim committees during the off-season. They are paid $47,561 per year, or $43,977 for senators whose term began prior to 2025.
How to Get Involved in Colorado Lawmaking
Westword will be here to bring you the highlights from the 2025 legislative session, but you can also get in on the action yourself.Videos of the House and Senate floor proceedings and audio of committee hearings are livestreamed daily, with links available at leg.colorado.gov/watch-listen. Check out the schedule and read the proposed bills at leg.colorado.gov/session-schedule. Residents can testify on bills during committee hearings in person, via Zoom or by submitting a written statement (click here to sign up to testify).
Every Coloradan is represented by one senator and one representative. Find yours by entering your address at leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator. The contact information for legislators is available at leg.colorado.gov/legislators.
