The REMI Partnership released a new study that analyzes the impact of one of the most controversial bills introduced in the Colorado legislature this year, Senate Bill 19-181. The study, The Statewide Cost of Prohibitions, Restrictions and Regulatory Uncertainty in Colorado's Energy Sector, seeks to answer the question, "What happens to state and local budgets and the broader Colorado economy if SB-181 prohibits new oil and gas development in whole or in part? 

A proposal to create a statewide paid-family-and-medical-leave program for all Colorado private and public employees is one step closer to becoming law, even if most major business groups are no closer to supporting it. Following a three-hour hearing that more than 100 potential witnesses skipped because of the ongoing blizzard - choosing to email in testimony that was not read aloud by the state Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee, despite a state commitment from a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 188 to do so-Democrats on the committee advanced the bill on a 3-2 party-line vote. It moves next to the Senate Finance Committee, where co-sponsoring Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, has encouraged interested parties detained by the snow to show up and speak at a March 19 hearing. 

When Democrats on a Colorado Senate committee killed a business-backed bill last month that would have exempted businesses that sell relatively small amount of goods through the mail from having to pay sales taxes based on the taxing district in which each customer lives, Sen. Lois Court said that a bigger-picture solution was coming - a comment met by cynicism and more than a bit of eye-rolling. But it appears that the Denver Democrat - along with a bipartisan coalition of three other legislators - may actually have found a solution to an issue that has been vexing small merchants more than any other in this state. 

Increasing investment in the nation's public infrastructure systems to return them to a state of good repair, expand capacity to meet future demand, and support innovative solutions to future challenges is good for the country and for Colorado. Renewing infrastructure investment will put thousands of dollars into the pockets of American households, drive productivity and boost growth, and support expanded private investment. 

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a controversial bill Friday that would award Colorado's nine Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote nationally, even if another candidate wins the state's vote. 

Colorado legislative Democrats announced before the session started that affordable housing will be one of their top priorities. And this week, a quartet of bills addressing that topic all will likely be up for debate - in addition to the ongoing debates over oil and gas regulation and paid family leave, among other topics. Late last week, the Senate Local Government Committee gave bipartisan support to two bills that are key parts of the agenda, passing them on for likely debate on the Senate floor this week. House Bill 1106 limits the application fees that landlords can charge prospective tenants to just what is needed to process background checks and paperwork on those applicants. And HB 1170 increases tenant protections relating to the residential warranty of habitability that all landlords must provide.