Originally published on January 28, 2019 3:42 pm Health care is emerging as a top priority for both Democratic and Republicans at the State Capitol this session, and some of the proposed legislation is already packing hearing rooms.

It was a busy week at the State Capitol as lawmakers started debating an initial round of bills at committee hearings and Gov. Jared Polis issued his first executive order to promote electric vehicles. Here are some highlights, and some things to look for when lawmakers come back on Tuesday.

Originally published on January 18, 2019 7:51 am Cheers from environmental groups drowned out nearby construction noise in downtown Denver Thursday morning after Gov. Jared Polis announced an executive order that aims to bring more electric vehicles to Colorado.

Originally published on January 15, 2019 4:14 pm Gov. Jared Polis wants to leverage Colorado’s stronger than expected revenue projections to pay for full-day kindergarten next school year. He’s asking lawmakers to approve $227 million in the budget for the kindergarten classes. Polis says the spending will allow 30,000 families to stop paying tuition.

Originally published on January 16, 2019 7:02 pm More Americans are being impacted by what is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. This week, the already stressful world of air travel is feeling the pinch as Transportation Security Administration workers call in sick.

Originally published on January 10, 2019 4:34 pm Democrats applauded as Gov. Jared Polis outlined his administration’s priorities in his first State of the State Thursday. He touched on topics from full-day kindergarten funding to paid family leave and oil and gas development.

Originally published on January 9, 2019 9:42 am When a caravan of lawmakers arrived at the state Capitol Tuesday morning carrying several pink boxes of Voodoo doughnuts, it was apparent something very significant was about to happen. Some of the lawmakers had grins on their faces.

Originally published on January 7, 2019 11:13 am As Colorado’s new lawmakers showed off their desks to their kids on Wednesday, Gov. John Hickenlooper was busy cleaning out his own. He was down to his final days as the head of state government.

Originally published on January 4, 2019 5:01 pm Colorado Democrats promised to pass paid family leave, address the rising cost of health care and pursue a gun control measure on Friday as they gaveled in a new legislative session.

Originally published on December 21, 2018 11:13 am Jena Griswold, who will soon become Colorado’s first Democratic Secretary of State in 60 years, has announced who will help her lead the office. Meanwhile, outgoing Secretary of State Wayne Williams told the Colorado Springs Gazette he is thinking about running for city council next year.

Parents and teachers who traveled to Denver on Dec. 18 to watch the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission increase the buffer zones between schools and oil and gas wells didn’t have much praise for the state board. Instead, they questioned why the state wasn’t going even further to protect students.

Originally published on December 18, 2018 3:42 pm A Republican state lawmaker accused of sexual harassment last session is resigning. Sen. Randy Baumgardner, who represents Northwest Colorado, is stepping down in late January.

Originally published on December 17, 2018 9:07 am Out of the dozens of lawmakers who hold leadership positions at the State Capitol, only five live on the Western Slope. State Rep. Dylan Roberts is one of them. The Democrat from Avon will lead the state’s new Rural Affairs Committee.

Gov.-elect Jared Polis is bringing a former political rival and members of his congressional staff into his new administration. Cary Kennedy, who finished second behind Polis in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, will serve as a senior fiscal policy advisor for the new governor. Kennedy served as state treasurer from 2007 to 2011.

Originally published on December 11, 2018 2:36 pm Democratic State Sen. Daniel Kagan announced Wednesday evening he is resigning from the legislature next month. In a statement announcing his departure, the lawmaker from Cherry Hills Village didn’t give a specific reason for stepping down.

Originally published on November 27, 2018 10:51 am State Transportation Commissioner Rocky Scott says his lunch conversation at a Colorado Springs steakhouse took on a sobering tone Monday when the discussion turned to the state’s road funding woes. “I don’t think we’re going to solve this before I leave the commission,” Scott said.