Today is May 6, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

The Bennet-Hickenlooper Court: How 2 senators left their mark on Colorado's federal bench | COVER STORY

One month before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Dana Remus, the incoming White House counsel, sent a letter to senators outlining the new administration’s philosophy for filling certain presidentially appointed roles, including federal trial judgeships.

“With respect to U.S. District Court positions,” she wrote, “we are particularly focused on nominating individuals whose legal experiences have been historically underrepresented on the federal bench, including those who are public defenders, civil rights and legal aid attorneys, and those who represent Americans in every walk of life.”

Colorado’s two Democratic U.S. senators, who, like their colleagues, play an outsize role in judicial nominations from their home state, said the Remus letter struck a chord.

“I was very sympathetic to the memo in that I do think, historically, there has been a tendency to appoint lawyers that have served in large firms to federal judgeships,” recalled Sen. Michael Bennet. “But it’s not the only experience that’s valuable. I think that the Remus memo and the Biden administration’s approach gave all of us the chance to reconsider the scope of what an applicant pool would look like.”

Alcohol beverage license, ozone & oil & gas fees, construction defects bills see action in Saturday session

In a rare Saturday session, the Senate gave final approval to bills tied to the agreement among the governor, oil & gas industry and environmental groups, Meanwhile, in the House, two constitutional amendments — on election deadlines and an effort to remove constitutional language banning same-sex marriage — are on their way to the ballot after winning two-thirds majority votes.

Colorado lawmakers OK bills on AI, oil and gas, medical malpractice

With the end of the legislative session looming closer, members of Colorado’s state House worked on Sunday to debate bills, hold a committee hearing and advanced several measures. 

Jared Polis signs bill expanding existing law guaranteeing a rental place is habitable

Gov. Jared Polis on Friday signed into a law a bill that expands existing statutes guaranteeing in rental agreements that a place is “fit for habitation.”

Sponsors say the measure would enhance protections for renters, while critics argued it could place undue burden on landlords or be abused by tenants.

Senate Bill 094 expands the existing “warranty of habitability” law to establish a timeframe for landlords to address tenant complaints and take remedial action if a claim is filed. A “warranty of habitability” is an implied guarantee outlined in a lease that states a landlord must provide a tenant with a safe, sanitary, and livable home. If these standards aren’t being met, a tenant can file a complaint.