/capitol-coverage KUNC is a member of Capitol Coverage, a collaborative public policy reporting project, providing news and analysis to communities across Colorado for more than a decade. Fifteen public radio stations participate in Capitol Coverage from throughout Colorado. en-US Copyright KUNC/Community Radio for Northern Colorado 2020 Fri, 23 Aug 2024 20:00:13 GMT /news/2024-08-23/new-proposal-from-democrats-could-derail-carefully-laid-plans-for-next-weeks-special-session Lawmakers convene on Monday for the second special legislative session on property taxes in less than a year, with an already-established deal in place. Now, some Democratic lawmakers plan to introduce a constitutional amendment to give local communities control over property taxes. Republicans are calling it a “dealbreaker.” Fri, 23 Aug 2024 20:00:13 GMT /news/2024-08-23/new-proposal-from-democrats-could-derail-carefully-laid-plans-for-next-weeks-special-session Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-08-06/tuition-help-and-brain-data-protections-are-among-hundreds-of-state-laws-taking-effect-wednesday More than 200 new state laws take effect this week. Most of them won’t affect everyday Coloradans, but some could have big impacts on low-income college students, wearable technology users, law enforcement officers, and alpine wildlife. Tue, 06 Aug 2024 21:21:27 GMT /news/2024-08-06/tuition-help-and-brain-data-protections-are-among-hundreds-of-state-laws-taking-effect-wednesday Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-07-03/greg-lopez-lays-out-priorities-for-brief-term-as-colorados-newest-congressman Greg Lopez won the special election last week to fill the remainder of former Congressman Ken Buck’s term representing Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District. He wants to prioritize immigration, economic and water policy, and supports a full, national ban on abortion. Wed, 03 Jul 2024 20:29:47 GMT /news/2024-07-03/greg-lopez-lays-out-priorities-for-brief-term-as-colorados-newest-congressman /news/2024-06-25/lauren-boebert-gabe-evans-decisively-win-northern-colorado-congressional-primaries The Associated Press called Northern Colorado’s Fourth and Eighth Congressional District Republican primaries for Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans within minutes of polls closing. Winners were also called in the Third and Fifth Congressional Districts. Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:06:09 GMT /news/2024-06-25/lauren-boebert-gabe-evans-decisively-win-northern-colorado-congressional-primaries Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-06-11/gov-polis-signed-519-bills-into-law-this-year-the-most-in-over-a-decade Friday was the last day Gov. Polis could sign bills passed by the legislature this year. Polis completed the most annual bill-signings in more than a decade, but also faced significant backlash for his vetoes. Tue, 11 Jun 2024 20:48:22 GMT /news/2024-06-11/gov-polis-signed-519-bills-into-law-this-year-the-most-in-over-a-decade Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-05-10/grand-compromises-and-democratic-victories-mark-end-of-2024-legislative-session Colorado’s 2024 lawmaking term ended with notable civility in comparison to the tense final days of last year’s session. This year, lawmakers came together to pass flagship legislation on property taxes, education funding, housing and gun control. Fri, 10 May 2024 17:13:57 GMT /news/2024-05-10/grand-compromises-and-democratic-victories-mark-end-of-2024-legislative-session Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-05-07/final-days-of-state-lawmaking-term-marked-by-compromise-on-property-taxes-other-big-issues Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to pass dozens of pending bills around housing, transportation, and substance use. They also are pushing through late-session deals on property taxes and air quality legislation in order avoid costly fights at the ballot box in November. Tue, 07 May 2024 22:00:44 GMT /news/2024-05-07/final-days-of-state-lawmaking-term-marked-by-compromise-on-property-taxes-other-big-issues Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-05-03/front-range-gets-abysmal-air-quality-rating-as-lawmakers-strike-deal-with-oil-and-gas-industry Gov. Jared Polis and top Democrats announced an agreement with the fossil fuel industry and environmental advocates to avert a ballot box fight in November. As part of the deal, lawmakers scrapped more aggressive regulatory proposals in place of two new bills, with just days left in the legislative session. Fri, 03 May 2024 17:21:57 GMT /news/2024-05-03/front-range-gets-abysmal-air-quality-rating-as-lawmakers-strike-deal-with-oil-and-gas-industry Lucas Brady Woods, Rae Solomon /news/2024-04-25/gov-polis-pushes-to-exempt-big-beer-from-proposed-state-alcohol-fee Gov. Jared Polis wants lawmakers to exempt corporations like Coors Brewing Company and Anheuser-Busch from a bill that would create a new alcohol enterprise fee to raise money for alcohol use disorder treatment and prevention services across Colorado. The bill’s sponsors and supporters aren’t happy. Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:17:11 GMT /news/2024-04-25/gov-polis-pushes-to-exempt-big-beer-from-proposed-state-alcohol-fee Lucas Brady Woods /news/2024-04-16/gov-polis-plan-to-tackle-the-housing-crisis-sees-some-victories-but-an-uncertain-future Last year, lawmakers handed Gov. Jared Polis a major defeat when they rejected his controversial plan to tackle Colorado’s housing crisis. Now, a similar set of proposals is advancing in the legislature despite bipartisan opposition. Polis signed one proposal into law Monday that will ban occupancy limits statewide, but the rest of his housing proposals face an uncertain future. Tue, 16 Apr 2024 22:05:16 GMT /news/2024-04-16/gov-polis-plan-to-tackle-the-housing-crisis-sees-some-victories-but-an-uncertain-future Lucas Brady Woods