The Colorado legislative session begins with lawmakers saying that they are prepared to tackle a multitude of pressing issues, ranging from rising property taxes, and improving education to reducing healthcare costs and combating climate change. However, it is anticipated that housing and land use may emerge as the most significant concern for lawmakers during the 120-day session.
The Democratic majority at the Capitol is currently experiencing heightened levels of vitriol, evident in the rare censure of a lawmaker and the resignation of two others who cited the prevailing mood within the building.
Partisan tensions from the previous year continue to linger, further exacerbating the disunity among Democrats and the delay tactics employed by Republicans, which are likely to disrupt lawmaking on crucial policy matters such as criminal justice, affordability, and thanks to Democrat progressives, the war with Hamas.
Over the next four months, lawmakers will introduce hundreds of bills covering a wide range of topics that impact public life in Colorado. Legislative rules allow each of the hundred members of the assembly to sponsor at least five pieces of legislation during the session.
Leaders from both parties have expressed their commitment to addressing the high costs of housing and making it more affordable for Coloradans. The specific policies proposed to tackle this issue will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Last year, Governor Jared Polis’s ambitious “power grab” land use package, which was met with division, failed on the final day of the session. Elements of that proposal are expected to resurface in separate bills aimed at managing growth in Colorado.
While Democrats have primarily focused on urging local governments to allow denser development, Republicans are advocating for further reforms to the state’s construction defects laws to stimulate condo building.
The majority party intends to reignite battles they either lost or made insufficient progress on in previous years, including housing, climate change, gun violence, and mass transit.
One of the most challenging issues involves finding solutions to lower property taxes and increase housing stock when local governments are resistant to accepting reduced funding or state-level mandates on construction locations.
Senate President Steve Fenberg has emphasized the importance of addressing housing affordability, stating in press interviews, “Housing affordability is still very much at the top of the list, and I think we’re going to make some big moves on that.”
Despite drafting over 50 bills worth billions in state spending, Democrats acknowledge that financial constraints may prevent the realization of all their priorities, particularly when combined with other pressing issues like housing and property taxes.
Furthermore, several lawmakers will face challenges from within their own party in the upcoming 2024 election, intensifying the stakes of their term.
READ MORE:
- DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED COLORADO LEGISLATURE FAILS TO ADDRESS SKYROCKETING PROPERTY TAXES, OFFERS LOANS INSTEAD
- DEMOCRATS IN COLORADO AGAIN INTRODUCE PROGRESSIVE MANDATE-FILLED LAND-USE BILLS
- TOXIC ENVIRONMENT AND RESIGNATIONS PLAGUE COLORADO HOUSE DEMOCRATS
- COLORADO LEGISLATURE RETURNS AMID LINGERING ISSUES AND UNRESOLVED DEBATES
Although Republicans are in the minority in both legislative chambers, they aim to garner bipartisan support for a reduction in the state income tax, prioritizing the interests of the people above partisan politics, as stated by House Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese.
Governor Jared Polis is set to outline his goals for the upcoming year in his State of the State address on Thursday at 11 a.m.
You can live stream both chambers at THE GOLDEN HUB and recap video and legislative news there as well.