With the most divisive election in recent memory out of the way and midterm elections nearly two years away, state lawmakers are under pressure to come together this year to fulfill promises.

Spending issues – including trimming $600 million to balance the budget while coming up with a funding source for roads and highways – will dominate the conversation.

Lawmakers are scheduled to head back into session Wednesday.

Legislative leaders from both parties acknowledge that they will have to work across the aisle to accomplish big-ticket items, including construction-defects reform as part of an effort to spur affordable housing.

This year might be the Legislature’s best chance to put aside political differences to accomplish those goals.

“Bipartisan opportunities are always more available in the year prior to an election year,” said incoming Senate President Kevin Grantham, R-Cañon City.

The Legislature is split again this year, with Republicans controlling the Senate and Democrats in control of the House.

The environment requires bipartisanship.

“One of the things I love about this state is we have the ability to bring people together to advance the issues that matter the most to Coloradans,” said incoming House Speaker Crisanta Duran , D-Denver. “It will be in that spirit that we will go into the upcoming legislative session.

“The election mattered, but in some ways it didn’t if we’re going to be able to achieve results for all Coloradans.”

A group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been meeting before the session to come up with a solution for roads and highways, which face a $9 billion revenue shortfall over the next decade.

Ideas include referring a sales tax increase to voters or raising the gas tax. Bonding proposals also remain part of the discussion.

“I fully anticipate there to be a host of legislative proposals introduced,” said Sandra Solin with Fix Colorado Roads, a coalition that has been leading efforts to fund transportation projects.

“I’m very hopeful for this next legislative session. The environment is better than it’s been.”

But lawmakers will have to resist the temptation to draw political lines.

A controversial proposal to restructure the Hospital Provider Fee into an enterprise fund, or government-owned business, to free revenue for spending overshadowed many budget talks last year. Republicans are adamant that the proposal is off the table again this year.

House Democrats appear to have accepted that the Hospital Provider Fee conversation isn’t going anywhere. But Senate Democrats are less willing to give up, and the governor’s office might also carry the torch.

“I want to find a way to cross that line that’s been drawn in the sand,” said Senate Democratic leader Lucia Guzman of Denver.

House Republican leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, said his caucus is focused on a “do no harm” approach.

“It’s important for businesses to have some predictability and some stability,” Neville said.

Lawmakers will debate critical funding issues as Republican Donald Trump assembles his administration and a new Republican Congress begins its work. Uncertainties around federal health care (Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act), immigration, energy and marijuana policies could sidetrack state legislative debates.

“Many of us are curious what’s going to happen at the federal level,” Duran said.

Oil and gas is likely to see the most divisive conversations. Senate Republicans have created a select legislative committee to discuss energy and environmental issues, while Senate Democrats have created a leadership position on the subject.

Meanwhile, Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, is likely to continue to push for the state to enact stringent carbon pollution standards regardless of federal actions.

“There is this anti-enforcement, anti-environment agenda that we are starting to see take shape. That’s not where we are at as Coloradans,” said Pete Maysmith, executive director of Conservation Colorado, referring to Trump’s expected policies.

Dan Haley, president and chief executive of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said the industry doesn’t expect to have an aggressive agenda in the upcoming session.

“We are always interested in promoting our clean and affordable energy agenda,” Haley said.

For lawmakers, the burden to successfully address the maze of issues is palpable.

“The pressure to get something done is equal to the pressure on the other side to make sure they get it done right,” Grantham said of the upcoming session.

“We’ll end up going with what my constituents want and what my principles dictate. There’s always pressure. That’s the name of the job.”

Duran added, “Our door is open to look at a variety of different ideas. Let’s come together. We owe it to the people of Colorado.”