The first 10 bills introduced in the state Senate on Wednesday show where Colorado Democrats’ priorities lie for the 2025 session — and they indicate that, for the ruling party, responding to the Trump administration is a focal point.

President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, creates the “Colorado Voting Rights Act.” It prohibits any political subdivision, including county or municipal governments, special districts, and school boards, from creating a “material” disparity for electors of protected classes. Under the measure, this disparity can apply to voter participation or the ability to participate in the political process. The bill also clarifies voter registration and election access provisions for Indian tribes and expands existing requirements for creating multilingual ballots for municipal elections.

Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Gonzales, Sen. Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, toughens penalties in the law banning large-capacity ammunition magazines by regulating the manufacture and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms, primarily those with detachable magazines. A statement from Senate Democrats said AR-15s, AK-47s, and other semi-automatic firearms available in Colorado remain compatible with attachable magazines that hold anywhere from 15 to 100 rounds of ammunition.

Senate Bill 5 eliminates a second election — which requires a 75% yes vote from workers in a unionized company — in order to impose “representation” fees. The latter are union dues imposed on non-union members. Colorado’s Labor Peace Act has been in place for 80 years. This is likely to generate the biggest fight between business organizations and Democrats this year. Business groups and Republicans vow to fight the measure. It’s unknown where the governor stands on it; he vetoed three union-backed bills in 2024.

Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sens. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, limits the amount a childcare facility could charge for an application or waitlist.

Senate Bill 9, recommended by the American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee, authorizes state courts to recognize arrest warrants issued by tribal courts.

Senate Bill 7, which is from Wildfire Matters Review Committee sponsors, sets up a process for claims due to prescribed burns.