Colorado lawmakers return to the Capitol on Jan. 10 to begin the annual legislative session. For term-limited Gov. John Hickenlooper, he鈥檒l soon be delivering his final state of the state address.

Here are highlights from statehouse reporter Bente Birkeland鈥檚 interview with him.

On his feelings going into his final legislative session as governor: 

Gov. John Hickenlooper: 鈥淚鈥檓 kind of excited in a sense that I understand how the system works better than I used to and I see with more clarity some of the opportunities that are out there. And I also 鈥� I think I understand the legislators and appreciate the jobs they do a little better.鈥�

On what the top priorities will be:

Hickenlooper: 鈥淚 think we鈥檒l see transportation and PERA. I hope we see a discussion on affordable housing. I think when you have a state that鈥檚 growing as rapidly as Colorado you can鈥檛 keep up on your affordable housing anywhere. And the local municipalities need some help. They鈥檝e got to do a big chuck of it themselves. But I think transportation will be a big deal.鈥�

On how the state should deal with recent sexual harassment allegations at the Capitol:

Hickenlooper: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a cloud over the building in a way. But I think it鈥檚 resolvable. I think the General Assembly鈥檚 going to come together and they鈥檙e going to look at what is the right way to make sure that women 鈥� that all people 鈥� feel safe to speak out when they feel uncomfortable in their workplace.鈥�

Capitol Coverage is 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.