- Lawmakers agree more needs to be done to combat the deadly opioid drug, but are divided over whether that should include a crackdown on possession.
- State lawmakers have $16 billion worth of decisions to make as they enter final debate on the budget for the upcoming year. A relatively healthy economy and COVID relief money are giving them more money to work with as they set their priorities.
- The largest budget ever marks a full recovery for the state’s finances from the pandemic.
- A former rail yard in North Denver is home to a profitable new construction plant.
- A Democratic bill would require manufacturers to supply parts and information to wheelchair owners and independent repair shops.
- Banks and credit unions are battling in the state Capitol for government business.
- Colorado has been a landmark state for both sides of the abortion debate: home to one of the earliest laws to liberalize access to the procedure, as well as the birthplace of the personhood movement. Now, with Roe v Wade in doubt at the federal level, state lawmakers are writing a new chapter Colorado's convoluted history on the issue.
- The new fentanyl bill will not reverse the 2019 possession law, instead, focus on drug treatment and penalizing drug dealers.
- The proposal aims to ensure sex workers feel safe reporting crimes against themselves or others. The immunity also applies to people reporting human trafficking and stalking.
- An expanded federal meal program ends this summer. A state version could cost around $100 million a year.
- State Sen. Chris Hansen says Colorado should now look at canceling contracts with companies like Cargill, Subway and others that continue to do business in Russia.
- Critics warn the initiative would benefit the wealthy while hurting local government budgets. Backers argue it would help homeowners, renters and businesses amid rising costs.
- If passed, it would be Colorado’s first statewide regulation of rent prices.
- While proponents said the bill would help ease the rural health care shortage, opponents argued the changes could lead to substandard care.
- State lawmakers are working on a controversial proposal to expand and empower the ranks of physician assistants in rural clinics and elsewhere.
- For more than a decade, Colorado lawmakers have pursued a range of criminal justice reforms.
