governor jared polis
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2025 Unfiltered: Unions, guns and vetoes — inside Colorado’s political year
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From affordability and labor rights to gun policy — as well as public safety and gubernatorial vetoes — 2025 proved to be one of the most consequential and contentious years in recent Colorado political history. Lawmakers entered the session pledging bipartisan action to lower costs, but the months that followed saw fierce debates and sharp…
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Polis-backed HOME Act aims to increase Colorado housing near transit, businesses
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Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic House Speaker Pro Tempore Andrew Boesenecker on Tuesday unveiled proposed legislation aimed at reducing barriers to building “affordable” housing. The bill, known as the HOME Act, will enable the construction of more new homes near transit and local businesses, they said. “Today’s announcement is a big step in Colorado’s nation-leading…
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Colorado aims to close talent gap with new workforce development agency, initiatives
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Colorado’s education leaders and legislators are planning changes to the state’s workforce development programs – including the creation of a new state agency – to help more students earn college degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. Gov. Jared Polis, House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Sen. Jeff Bridges joined representatives from state agencies, universities, and apprenticeship programs to…
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Colorado governor pushes back against suspension of Direct File tax service
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Gov. Jared Polis is asking the federal government to reverse its decision to suspend a free tool that streamlines tax filing. Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it is officially suspending Direct File, a free online tax filing platform launched by the IRS last year. Taxpayers in 25 states could access the program during…
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Lawmakers, Gov. Jared Polis clash on Medicaid provider rates
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Colorado legislators on Tuesday heard from an advisory committee, which proposed making several adjustments to the state’s reimbursement rates for health care facilities that provide services to Medicaid patients. The proposal from the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee diverged from Gov. Jared Polis’ own proposed changes outlined in his budget proposal for the next…
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Colorado’s prison population management plan activated due to overcrowding
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Ongoing issues within the Colorado Department of Corrections have prompted the state to trigger its Prison Population Management Measures — a policy framework established in 2018 to address overcrowding. It marks the first time the measures have been put into effect. Under the law, the governor must implement the management measures if the state’s prison…
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Colorado’s affordable housing efforts gain momentum despite market challenges
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Colorado’s housing shortage is improving after reaching its worst point in 2019, but affordability remains a significant barrier to homeownership, according to a new analysis from the state’s Demography Office. “The State Demography Office’s analysis compares existing housing shortage estimates and offers an estimate with a transparent methodology,” said Kate Watkins, Colorado State Demographer. “By providing objective,…
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Gov. Jared Polis restricts list of grants worth $277M to ‘pro-affordable housing’ communities
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Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday followed up on a May executive order that would limit hundreds of millions in state grants to only communities that adhere to new laws on housing, land use and parking restrictions. In May, the governor had threatened to pull at least $100 million in funding from local governments that have…
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Colorado makes I Matter program permanent, offering free therapy sessions for youth
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A state program that provides young people mental health services will continue, as Gov. Jared Polis and the state legislature have made preserving it a priority in the last two sessions. At the beginning of the 2024 session, Sen. Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said one of her top priorities was to ensure that the I…
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Colorado governor signs gun regulations, property tax measures and oil and gas plan into law
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Gov. Jared Polis is signing some of the most significant bills from the 2024 legislative session into law this week. On Thursday, the governor will sign Senate bills 229 and 230, which form agreements with the oil and gas industry and environmental community. SB 230 will impose production fees on oil and gas drilling, depending…
