Author: Marissa Ventrelli
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Democrats want Colorado colleges to provide medication abortion
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A bill proposing to require Colorado colleges and universities to provide abortion medication services cleared a legislative committee on Thursday. Advocates said the measure — which exempts religious-based institutions but applies to public, private, and community colleges — will improve access to abortion, while opponents argue it would force educational institutions to take a side…
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Colorado lawmakers cut newer programs to close $1.2 billion budget shortfall
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With Colorado facing a budget gap exceeding $1.2 billion, lawmakers are preparing to wind down or sharply reduce a slate of recently-created programs — from teacher training to wildfire mitigation — as they search for for savings across state government. While some of these newer programs will continue with reduced funding, others are being eliminated…
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Ex‑Bronco Montee Ball backs push at Colorado Capitol for stronger concussion protocols
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Amid rising worries about the long‑term effects of head injuries in youth sports, a Colorado committee began reviewing legislation that would tighten concussion protocols and expand mental health awareness among coaches. Senate Bill 060 would require youth sports coaches to complete training on the mental health impacts of concussions. It would also require them to…
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Taking Colorado workers’ ID documents would be a crime under this proposal
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After a narrow 6–5 vote, a bill to bar employers from taking workers’ identification documents is moving to the full Colorado House, sparking questions about how often such intimidation occurs and whether a new state law is necessary. House Bill 1283, sponsored by Democratic Reps. Junie Joseph and Naquetta Ricks, would make it a Class…
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Colorado House committee advances Democratic bill to reduce penalties for ‘extreme indifference’ murder
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Lawmakers on the Colorado House Judiciary Committee narrowly passed a bill proposing changes to the state’s sentencing guidelines for murders facilitated with “extreme indifference to the value of human life.” Colorado is one of several states with this type of charge, which applies when someone causes another person’s death by doing something they know is…
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Democratic lawmakers target Colorado’s stalled prison population plan
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Colorado’s prison population plan was designed to prevent overcrowding. Instead, eight months after it was triggered, the system remains strained and largely ineffective, prompting two Democratic lawmakers to push for changes through new legislation. According to its sponsors, Senate Bill 036 would raise the vacancy‑rate threshold that triggers the plan from 3% to 4% and…
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Senate Democrats outline amendment strategy as budget debate nears
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Members of the Colorado Senate met with their respective caucuses on Tuesday to discuss the state’s proposed $46.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which passed through the House over the weekend following lengthy debate. The full Senate will begin debating the budget on Wednesday. Joint Budget Committee members Sens. Jeff Bridges and Judy Amabile…
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Polis pushes back after Trump administration again denies federal disaster aid
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A dispute over federal disaster aid escalated Monday as Colorado Gov. Jared Polis faulted the Trump administration for rejecting the state’s appeals for assistance following last fall’s fires and flooding. The state initially filed for a Major Disaster Declaration for the Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco County last August and for flooding in…
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Colorado becomes first state to ban arrests solely based on field drug test results
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Colorado has become the first state in the nation to prohibit arrests based solely on colorimetric drug tests, also known as field drug tests. Last legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill establishing a working group to make recommendations regarding the use of colorimetric drug tests in criminal proceedings. Colorimetric drug tests were used in about half of all drug…
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Colorado Senate takes up $46.8 billion budget
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The battle over Colorado’s proposed $46.8 billion spending plan for next year shifted to the state Senate, which must decide whether to acquiesce to changes made by the House. The senators could also decide to adopt their own changes, which would force the two bodies to reconcile their differences. The state constitution requires a balanced…