2020 Colorado Legislative Session Final Report

By Elisabeth Rosen, PHCC Colorado Lobbyist

The normal 120-day session called it quits Monday, June 15th after 84 days, though it was 160 days in the making. The General Assembly began the 2020 Legislative Session on January 8th and came to a historic end on June 16th after the Capitol was forced to shut down on March 14 for over two months. 711 pieces of legislation were introduced, with over half postponed indefinitely due to the constraints of the pandemic.

When the session began, Democrats laid out some of its priorities for the year, including repealing the death penalty, stricter rules on vaccine exemptions and passing new air quality standards (which all passed) and new gun reforms, creating a public heath insurance option, creating a statewide paid family and medical leave program, and funding transportation projects (which did not pass). 

The public option, family leave, gun reforms and transportation were among the vast majority of items that ended up unresolved. Most major pieces of legislation that passed were in response to COVID-19 and the resulting economic fallout. Democratic leadership chose which bills were to move forward using the rules “fast, friendly and free”. 

However, many significant policy changes did come in the final two days of session including:

  • Housing relief 
  • Ending tax breaks for corporate interests 
  • Referred measure for taxing tobacco and vaping products

Topics covered in this report include:

Budget 

The Joint Budget Committee was tasked with the daunting task of figuring out a $3.3 billion shortfall, which is approximately 25% of the state budget the General Assembly has 4 discretionary control over.

COVID-19-related Policy 

Many of the bills introduced in May upon the resumption of session were aimed at the state’s recovery from the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business & Employment 

Many of the COVID-19 related bills would also fit under this section as they relate to business and employment.  

Capital Construction 

Several bills were passed including Lease-purchase Issuance For Capital Construction, Fund Controlled Maintenance Projects, Distribution of HB20-1377 Capital Construction Fund Money.

Police Reform & Death Penalty 

In light of the recent events surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, the killing of George Floyd and other Black people by law enforcement, the protests and rioting, Bill SB20-217 Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity was passed. This bill requires local law enforcement and the Colorado State Patrol to use body-worn cameras and release recordings to the public, and to conduct data reporting about certain incidents and contacts with the public. The POST Board must revoke peace officer certification for certain violations. The bill limits the acceptable use of force by all peace officers and creates a duty to report excessive use of force. And more...

Other topics covered including:

  • Environment & Energy
  • Housing 
  • Health Care Policy 
  • Human Services 
  • Opioid & Substance Use Disorders 
  • Police Reform & Death Penalty 
  • School Finance & Education 
  • Tax Reform

  • Transportation

Looking Forward

Interim committees have been suspended for this coming summer and fall. We expect there to be much stakeholder work to be done on various topics including more potential legislation related to COVID-19. National and state elections are scheduled for November 3, 2020. The 1st Session of the 73rd General Assembly is scheduled to convene January 13, 2021.

The full report is available for PHCC Members. Click here for full report.

If you are not a PHCC member but would like to access the full report, fill out this form here and a copy will be emailed to you.