Overview
- Gov. Jared Polis used his last State of the State to prioritize affordability and a balanced budget, pointing to an estimated $850 million shortfall and tensions with Washington over funding.
- Democrats are preparing a ballot referral to lift TABOR revenue limits by roughly $4.5 billion annually and require 2% yearly K-12 increases for 10 years, a move that would need supermajority support.
- Lawmakers opened the session with an affordability package targeting housing supply, price gouging and surveillance pricing, teacher and first responder housing, utility costs, and targeted tax relief.
- A federal judge temporarily blocked parts of recent funding freezes, yet the state warns programs remain at risk, including child care for up to 27,000 children without $91 million restored.
- Revisions to competency and mental health laws moved up the agenda after a 2024 case dismissal, and the House voted to replace the governor’s ceremonial title with “the Honorable.”