Capitol Coverage

The four-day Global Conference for Israel drew hundreds of protestors to the Denver Convention Center over the weekend. The conference went ahead as planned, despite attempts to disrupt it.

The state legislature's Democratic majority pushed through a tax relief package for next year. The package includes tax rate adjustments, flat TABOR refunds, rental assistance, food benefits and an expanded income tax credit—all as tensions over the conflict in Gaza spilled onto the House floor.

Lawmakers convened at the State Capitol Friday for the first day of a special legislative session focused on providing property tax relief next year. Bipartisan collaboration seems unlikely as Democrat and Republican proposals remain at odds and several GOP bills have already been killed.

After his Democrats' tax relief plan failed this week, Gov. Jared Polis wants lawmakers to come up with a plan to avert next year’s sharp property tax increases, but they only have a few weeks to figure it out.

Statewide ballot measure Proposition HH was rejected even though it would provide the most immediate relief from rising property taxes. Voters also weighed in on mayoral races in Boulder and Fort Collins and school board races across Northern Colorado, including in Denver, the state’s largest district.

Tuesday's Colorado Day celebrations included concerts, historic tours, garden parties and a special naturalization ceremony for 35 new American citizens.

A major land-use bill backed by Gov. Jared Polis didn’t have the votes to advance. A new amendment removes the measure’s core principles in an attempt to create a path forward.

Significant rollbacks to state-level requirements in the bill, which is backed by Gov. Jared Polis, have done little to sway opposition, which ranges from Colorado cities and towns to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in November, which decriminalized psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical found in so-called magic mushrooms, and other psychedelic substances for personal and therapeutic use. State lawmakers are rolling out the legal framework in a soon-to-be introduced bill.

Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic state lawmakers announced a proposal last week to address Colorado’s housing affordability crisis. It would change land-use rules in big cities, resort communities, and small towns.