Capitol Conversation: The First Wave of Bills

Lawmakers have introduced the first wave of bills as part of the annual legislative session. Bente Birkeland talked to statehouse reporters about some of the most interesting pieces of legislation as part of our Capitol Conversation series. 

Excerpts from the Roundtable

On Marijuana Legislation: Peter Marcus- Durango Herald

"It's sort of like we've entered this new phase…. with much of the nuts and bolts of the rulemaking behind in regulating how dispensaries operate, and sales are conducted, and all that now it's kind of the secondary things. Pesticide use. All of a sudden lawmakers are realizing that we can't be spraying marijuana plants with pesticides that could be harmful. "

On Mandatory Statewide Rabies Vaccines: Joey Bunch- Denver Post

"While that's the norm in cities and the suburbs, it's not going to be popular in rural areas. Because not only do the animals have to be vaccinated, they also have to be displaying tags, and for those of us who grew up out in the country that's just not a reality."

On Allowing Hunters to Wear Fluorescent Pink as an alternative to orange

Joey Bunch- Denver Post

"Some states say it's just not necessary. It's symbolic but it just may be not as safe. Orange is the universal color maybe not everyone is familiar with pink, I don't know if the animals care either way."

Peter Marcus- Durango Herald

"We've also heard from some women who are concerned that it might be a patronizing bill a little bit. To get women involved they have to wear pink?"