Final weeks resemble 'Everything, Everywhere, All at Once'

We are at that point in the session where the legislative calendar starts to get very hectic. The Colorado legislature convenes for 120 days and any bill that has not passed through the House and Senate by that time will "die on the calendar." It takes a minimum of three days to pass a bill, but that occurs in very few instances and requires a breakneck speed. The process to pass a bill usually takes longer, so the pace begins speeding up in order to meet the deadline.

With only 17 days to go until the end of session, tracking all my bills in their various stages becomes quite challenging. I feel like I need to be doing 'everything, everywhere, all at once,' just to stay on top of things. For example, I am the prime sponsor of 11 Senate bills:

• 1 bill (SB24-191) still in the Senate, waiting to be heard on second reading;
• 3 bills (SB24-106, SB24-143, SB24-174) that have been referred to the House and are awaiting their first committee hearing;
• 5 bills (SB24-008, SB24-016, SB24-070, SB24-170, SB24-188) that have been referred to House Appropriations; and
• 2 bills (SB24-051, SB24-132) that have already been signed into law by the Governor.

I am also the prime sponsor of 80 House bills, many of which are related in some way to my work on the Joint Budget Committee. Most of my budget-related bills have already passed, but the remaining bills are still making their way through the process:

• 2 bills (HB24-1340, HB24-1458) in the House awaiting their committee hearing;
• 1 bill (HB24-1384) in the House awaiting Second Reading;
• 7 bills (HB24-1160, HB24-1264, HB24-1290, HB24-1326, HB24-1376, HB24-1448, HB24-1462) that are waiting to be heard in House Apporpriations;
• 1 bill (HB24-1235) in the Senate awaiting its first committee hearing;
• 3 bills (HB24-1089, HB24-1266, HB24-1276) that have passed the Senate but waiting for the House to concur with Senate amendments;
• 3 bills (HB24-1012, HB24-1017, HB24-1156) that have passed and are awaiting the Governor's signature;
• 1 JBC bill (HB24-1429) that wasn't necessary for budgeting purposes and therefore laid over until after session.
• 30 JBC Budget bills that have all passed and signed or awaiting the Governor's signature; and
• 32 JBC Supplemental Budget bills that have all been signed by the Governor (you can view the full list on my website rachelforcolorado.com).

In addition to my slate of bills, I must also contend with my colleagues' bills too! So far, there have been 462 House bills and 211 Senate bills introduced. Not all bills are still moving--some have already passed or postponed indefinitely--but I suspect over half of these bills are still under consideration. That translates into very long days (and sometimes nights)! Nevertheless, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. Also, please mark your calendar for Saturday, May 18 for our next town hall meeting where we will present a legislative wrap-up and update you on the outcome of the 673 bills (so far!).

NEW! HB24-1462 Third-Party Audit Department of Corrections: Concerning a third-party evaluation of the department of corrections' budget practices, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The bill was introduced in the House and assigned to House Appropriations.

NEW! HB24-1458 Create Division of Animal Welfare in Department of Agriculture: Concerning the creation of the division of animal welfare in the department of agriculture. The bill was introduced and assigned to House Agriculture Committee.

Passed! SB24-174 Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance: Concerning state support for sustainable affordable housing, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The bill passed out of the Senate and will now go to the House.

Passed! HB24-1089 Vehicle Electronic Notifications: Concerning the use of electronic notifications for vehicle transactions. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate and will go back to the House for concurrence of Senate amendments.

Passed! HB24-1156 Chamber of Commerce Alcohol Special Event Permit: Concerning authorization to hold special events where substances that minors are prohibited from purchasing are served. The bill will be heard in the Senate Finace Committee on Thursday, April 11 upon adjournment. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate and will go back to the House for concurrence of Senate amendments.

Passed! HB24-1266 Local Government Utility Relocation in Right-of-Way: Concerning the relocation of utility facilities in a local government right-of-way. The bill passed on Second Reading in the Seante.

Passed! SB24-191 Host Homes for Youth: Concerning the operation of host homes for youth. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.

In committee this week: HB24-1235 Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities: Concerning measures to reduce the impact of aviation on surrounding communities. The bill will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, April 23 at 2 pm.

April 19, 2024 The Colorado Sun: The vast majority of Colorado Democrats' affordable housing legislation is still pending

April 19, 2024 Colorado Public Radio: Polis signs $24 million funding bill to help schools with new immigrant students

April 19, 2024 The Denver Post: Polis signs bill sending $24 million to help schools

April 19, 2024 The Fence Post: Bill introduced to add CDA Division of Animal Welfare

April 19, 2024 The Denver Gazette: Colorado schools get $24m boost for migrant enrollment

April 19, 2024 Colorado Politics: Gov. Jared Polis signs bill to fund Colorado schools with rising migrant student enrollment

April 18, 2024 The Apsen Times: A new bill that factors in rural challenges would provide a funding boost to most Western Slope school districts

April 17, 2024 Steamboat Pilot: Most Western Slope school districts would receive more funding under proposed bill

April 19, 2023 Committee Approves Zenzinger's Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Youth Homelessness

April 19, 2024 RELEASE: Senate Approves Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Identify State and Local Housing Needs, Plan for Growth

April 19, 2024 2024 Golf Day at the Capitol

April 19, 2024 Governor Polis Signs Bills Into Law

April 18, 2024 Committee Passes New School Finance Formula to Boost Student Success, Increase Equity in School Funding and Support Rural Schools

Legislative Town Hall Meeting: Legislative Wrap-up



We are very sorry that we had to cancel our town hall yesterday. We are nearing the end of the legislative session and we can be called into session at a moment's notice! Nevertheless, we hope that you will plan on joining us for our next town hall meeting on Saturday, May 18 at 10:30 am for a legislative wrap-up. The location for the town hall will be the Standley Lake Library (and NOT the golf course). For more information, click HERE.