Today is May 8, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Property tax bill on track to reach governor's desk by final day of session

With just one day left in the legislative session, an eleventh-hour property tax deal has unanimously cleared two House committees and secured approval at its second reading on the floor. 

The bipartisan Senate Bill 233, announced the day before, marks the culmination of months of conversations between the governor, legislators and groups like Colorado Concern, Colorado Counties Inc. and the Bell Policy Center. 

Colorado Senate passes 'transit-oriented' housing bill with 2 dozen amendments

After several days of delays, the Senate approved a House proposal requiring metropolitan planning organizations to impose higher density goals in zoning.

HB 1313 requires affordable housing to be constructed adjacent to transit. That means supported by public subsidies, “inclusionary” zoning ordinances, and deed restrictions, which restrict or limit maximum rental or sale price. The bill also requires a period when only low- or moderate-income households could qualify. The measure requires housing density in these “transit-oriented” communities at about 40 units per acre.

50 bills stalled in committees as clock ticks down on Colorado legislative session

With one-third of every bill introduced in the 2024 session still unresolved as of Monday morning, time has run out for 50 measures that got stuck in appropriations committees.

When the House adjourned for the day around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, 41 bills awaiting action from the House Appropriations Committees died on the calendar since there was not enough time for them to make it through the House and Senate by Wednesday.

In the Senate, nine bills stuck in the appropriations committee died when the chamber adjourned late Monday night.

Colorado lawmakers agree on compromise legislation seeking to protect wetlands

Two vastly different approaches to protecting a million acres of Colorado wetlands became part of a compromise that is now nearing the governor’s desk.

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved House Bill 1379, the measure backed by House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Summit County. It now heads to the House for review of a compromise amendment, which is expected to pass, and then head to the governor for signing. 

Colorado lawmakers debate transit, library resources in waning days of session