Colorado Legislature
State tax credit helped pull 22,500 Colorado children out of poverty, report shows
This story was first published at Colorado Newsline. DENVER | Colorado’s most effective tool for reducing child poverty is a state-level family tax credit that’s in jeopardy for the current tax year, according to a new report from a Colorado nonprofit that aims to improve the wellbeing of children. The Colorado Family Affordability Tax Credit, […]
Your ballot question vote will affect Colorado’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Want to see how?
AURORA | How would you fix Colorado’s budget gap if you were in charge? A new interactive simulation lets Sentinel readers see how their votes on three statewide ballot measures could affect Colorado’s projected $1.6 billion budget shortfall, and then decide for themselves where to cut spending or invest more. The Colorado Tradeoffs project was […]
Colorado faces $1.6 billion budget deficit as Medicaid costs mushroom, state officials say
This story was first published at Colorado Newsline. DENVER | The Colorado Legislature will face a third straight year of intense budget woes when it convenes in January. State economists told lawmakers on Friday that there could be a nearly $1.6 billion budget deficit. “Medicaid alone is causing the vast majority of the issue,” Mark […]
Colorado’s free preschool faces calls for higher quality standards
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. DENVER | Colorado’s free preschool program has been popular with families since it launched three years ago, but state leaders need to raise the bar on quality. That finding from a state-mandated evaluation of the $349 million program echoes concerns long raised by advocates that universal preschool started […]
House OKs bill to make daylight saving time permanent; Colorado stands ready. Senate next
WASHINGTON | There will be no turning back the clock if the House has its way. The House passed a bill Tuesday that would make daylight saving time permanent. Proponents, including the White House, argued the change would provide more daylight during the times that Americans are most active. The vote was 308-117. Colorado state […]
Lawmakers seek solutions for Colorado’s Medicaid budget, red tape
This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at cpr.org. DENVER | The future of Colorado’s Medicaid program is getting an in-depth look and that could lead to reforms. That’s the job of the Colorado Commission on Medicaid, which met this week. Its arduous task? Come up with strategies to […]
New Colorado laws take effect: Gun control, LGBTQ+ protection and insurance changes
This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at cpr.org. DENVER | Starting July 1, several new Colorado laws take effect from legislation passed during the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. These include two high-profile gun laws and protections for the LGBTQ community that push back against a recent […]
Colorado law change alters futures of three public schools
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. DENVER | A recent law change aimed at what some Colorado lawmakers saw as a rogue school authorizing group quickly changed the trajectory of three public schools this spring. One closed, one will stay open, and the fate of the third is a mystery. The new law put […]
After Supreme Court ruling, Gov. Polis signs bill allowing lawsuits over conversion therapy harm
This story was first published at Colorado Newsline. DENVER | Coloradans who have been harmed by the discredited psychological treatment known as “conversion therapy” can sue for damages through the state’s medical malpractice law under a bill signed by Gov. Jared Polis on Monday. Polis also signed an executive order prohibiting state funds from being […]
Colorado Democrats seek to censure Gov. Polis over Tina Peters prison sentence cut
This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at cpr.org. DENVER | In an unprecedented rebuke, a number of current Democratic state officials, lawmakers, party organizers, activists, and a Democratic National Committee member want the state party to temporarily suspend Democratic Gov. Jared Polis from attending and speaking at […]