‹‹ Colorado Matters

A special session, a hiring freeze, a looming AI law, and some state lawmakers’ bad behavior

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Jared Polis in a grey suit blue tie at a podium speaking into a mic with a man in glasses and a table and flag behind him
Jesse Paul/The Colorado Sun
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks to reporters as he calls a special legislative session to address a nearly $1 billion budget deficit during a news conference at the governor’s mansion in downtown Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.

Normally things are quiet at the state legislature this time of year... but instead there is a lot going on right now. A special session will need to resolve another billion dollar budget gap; there's a state hiring freeze; a looming AI law critics say needs fixing; and some bad behavior among lawmakers. Ahead of next week's special session, CPR public affairs reporter Bente Birkeland spoke with Ryan Warner.