CHEC

By Legislative Liaison Carolyn Martin

Colorado General Assembly Back in Session

On March 14, 2020, the Colorado Legislature recessed for what they and the entire state thought would be a short two weeks. Never could we have conceived that this shutdown would last for over ten weeks. This past Tuesday, the general assembly reconvened. They are dealing with a vastly different outlook for the state of Colorado than when they began their session in January. 

In this first week upon their return, the focus will be on slashing the budget to align with new state income projections. The bills mandating higher taxes and fees like the FAMLI Leave Act and the Public Health Option, will have to wait. It is expected that they will jettison quite a few bills, like those proposing to eliminate the usage of such things as plastic straws and Styrofoam. But it doesn’t mean every bad bill that expands the reach of government will disappear.