It's an exciting week at the Colorado Legislature as some of the key bills begin their journeys through committees. With 101 days left in the 120-day legislative session, it's time for the State Capitol to kick into high gear. While there have been some developments in the past few weeks, such as the appointment of a new House Republican leader and the passing of a bill to repeal and replace the state's match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the focus now shifts to the upcoming hearings and discussions on a range of important issues.
Cash for ex-offenders who join workforce training
One of the most anticipated bills is SB24-12, which will be discussed at the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon. This bill proposes a pilot program that would provide up to $3,000 to individuals leaving prison if they enroll in and participate in workforce development programs. The aim of this program is to reduce the recidivism rate and help ex-offenders establish stable lives by finding meaningful employment. It's a groundbreaking initiative that has already garnered national attention.
Second swings at housing bills begin
Housing policy reform is a top priority for lawmakers and Governor Jared Polis this year. Several bills that failed to pass in the previous session will be given a second chance. Here are a few of the bills that will be discussed in their first public hearings:
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HB24-1098: This bill, presented by Democratic leaders and housing advocates, will be heard in the House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee on Tuesday. It focuses on protecting tenants' rights by requiring landlords to show cause before evicting them and giving them the right of first refusal for lease renewal.
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HB24-1007: Also on Tuesday, the same House committee will discuss this bill, which aims to prevent arbitrary occupancy limits from being enforced by municipalities. Instead, any occupancy limit would need to be based on the size of the dwelling and be necessary for health, safety, and welfare reasons.
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HB24-1057: On Wednesday, the House transportation and housing committee will hear this bill, which seeks to prohibit leasing companies from using algorithmic devices to set rents. The bill aims to address the issue of landlords using data analytics to increase rents to unsustainable levels.
Elected officials' pay
Another important topic to be discussed this week is the pay for elected officials in the state. The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee will hear HB24-1059 on Thursday. This bill proposes the creation of an independent commission to study the pay of elected officials. Currently, lawmakers make $44,000 a year, which some argue is insufficient given the time and effort required for the job. This study aims to address this issue and ensure fair compensation.
Alcoholic drinks for delivery or to-go
A bill set for a hearing on Thursday by the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee aims to make permanent the COVID-era change that allows for the delivery or to-go orders of alcoholic beverages. SB24-020 seeks to remove the sunset provision on this temporary change, providing greater convenience for consumers and supporting the hospitality industry.
Racial equity study
Also set for a hearing on Thursday is SB24-053, which calls for a study on the historical and ongoing effects of slavery and systemic racism on Black Coloradans. The bill proposes that the state historical society, History Colorado, conduct this study and identify ways to address the effects. It's an important step towards promoting racial equity and understanding the impact of systemic racism.
Image: Colorado State Representatives watch as a vote on SB23B-002 hits the board during a special session in the House at the Colorado State Capitol on Monday, November 20, 2023.
Money begins to pour into Colorado Democratic primaries, with legislators cutting checks
In addition to the legislative matters at hand, there's also a lot of action happening in the Democratic primaries for statehouse seats. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have already been invested, with sitting Democratic legislators even contributing funds to their colleague's opponents. It's an interesting development that highlights the stakes involved in these primary elections.
Two kinds of fakes — deepfakes and fake electors — top Colorado secretary of state’s legislative agenda this year
Image: Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, front, unveiled legislative priorities
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has identified two key areas of focus for this year's legislative session. The first is reining in artificial intelligence, particularly deepfakes that manipulate videos and images to spread misinformation. The second is cracking down on fake elector schemes, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Additionally, there will be efforts to expand voter access on tribal lands, promoting inclusivity and fairness in elections.
Colorado House Republicans elect new minority leader, replacing Mike Lynch after week of upheaval
Image: New Colorado House minority leader Rep. Rose Pugliese, left, of Colorado Springs is congratulated by Rep. Mike Lynch, right, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.
Following a week of upheaval, Colorado state Rep. Rose Pugliese, from Colorado Springs, has been elected as the new leader of the House Republican caucus. This comes after the resignation of Rep. Mike Lynch due to the fallout from a past drunken driving arrest. The change in leadership signifies a new chapter for the House Republicans as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of the legislative session.
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