This week, our attention was drawn to both coasts: the deadly fires that are devastating Southern California communities and the State Funeral for 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, in Washington, D.C. But, it was also a big week in Colorado with the start of the 75th General Assembly. Colorado Inside Out discussed what policies are being considered, what constraints exist, who the players are in the State House and much more.

This week’s “Insider” Panel:

• Patty Calhoun, founder and editor of Westword
• Eric Sondermann, columnist for Colorado Politics and the Colorado Springs and Denver Gazettes
• Marianne Goodland, chief legislative reporter for Colorado Politics, and the Colorado Springs and Denver Gazettes.
• Adam Burg, Senior Policy Advisor at Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher (FGMC) Law Firm

Governor Jared Polis’ State of the State before the Colorado legislature.

• While the Insider panel expected Polis to talk about the need to make Colorado affordable, they were surprised he voiced support for possible anti-wage theft bills and construction defects reform, issues he’d previously been silent on.
• Legislative reporter Marianne Goodland noted that Governor Polis did not mention reducing or eliminating the state income tax nor did he discuss water, which has been a big issue in Colorado.
• Adam Burg, FGMC Senior Policy Advisor, noted that Polis’ focus on public safety and crime stood out, particularly his commitment to reducing youth violence and his support for Proposition 130, which provided funding for officer retention, training, and family support.
• Polis mentioned the words “free,” “freedom” and “free state” many times during his 55-minute speech. Columnist Eric Sondermann thought that was overdone: “When Polis defined the ‘Free State of Colorado,’ it was always referring to the freedom to marry who you want and the freedom of reproductive choice, both of which are very popular in Colorado. But, he neglected other freedoms, like the freedom to know what’s going on under the Gold Dome, i.e. the freedom of transparent government, which has been jeopardized over the last year or two by that legislature.”
• Westword Editor Patty Calhoun: “The biggest surprise I think for most people, was how Polis took some of the Trump rhetoric regarding immigration and deportation and talked about how we didn’t want any criminal elements coming in, how we didn’t want drugs coming in, how we didn’t want crime coming into Colorado and that had people concerned on the Democratic side. But let’s also remember that here in Colorado, Jared Polis is free to say he’s free to not be a traditional Democrat. He can be a renegade. And he certainly did that again this time.”

2025 Colorado Legislative Session: 117 Days Remain

• Legislative reporter Marianne Goodland noted the $700 million shortfall before lawmakers as they draft the 2025-2026 budget. She attributes this shortfall, in large part, to the high utilization of Medicaid by those still enrolled, even though Colorado effectively removed pandemic-era enrollees. Goodland predicts another hot topic will be regulation with Republicans pushing to reduce both regulation and fees. She specifically mentioned possible bills to eliminate the grocery bag fee and the retail delivery fee.
• Adam Burg expects 600-800 bills to be introduced this session, noting 126 new bills were introduced on the very first day.
• One of those bills introduced would build upon existing gun laws that forbid the sale, manufacture and purchase of semi-automatic weapons that have detachable magazines.
• Eric Sondermann was critical about the vacancy committee process which appointed three new state senators this week for leaders who stepped down for various reasons. He called the process ‘fundamentally wrong.” Sondermann: “If you are asking voters for their confidence, the election process needs to be taken more seriously.” He specifically mentioned former State Senators Chris Hansen and Janet Buckner as they announced their retirement from the legislature after being re-elected.
• Patty Calhoun highlighted that the Colorado legislature is a citizen legislature, meaning it only operates for four months out of the year. Calhoun contrasted that with the lobbyists who are full-time and wield significant influence behind the scenes. She believes lobbyists will be the people to watch during this session.

Wolf Reintroduction:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) voted 10-1 to deny requests to pause the second round of wolf reintroduction in the Colorado High Country.

• Marianne Goodland mentioned that the ranching community hopes the Trump administration will delist wolves from the Endangered Species Act, changing the reintroduction program which Colorado voters approved in 2020.
• This week, Grand Country ranchers billed CPW $582,000 for killed livestock. Marianne Goodland has spoken with ranchers who also say they’re seeing low conception rates and lighter weights in cattle because of stress caused by the wolves.
• The process has already started for a repeal of the wolf reintroduction program on the 2026 ballot. Patty Calhoun and Eric Sondermann both agreed that would have a good chance of passing with Sondermann acknowledging there may be “buyer’s remorse” among voters who approved the reintroduction in 2020.

Aurora Mayor Slams Denver Mayor in Editorial on the Migrant Crisis:

• Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman slammed Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in a Denver Gazette editorial saying Johnston has not been truthful about sending migrants into Aurora. That is something Denver Mayor Johnston denies. In the editorial, Coffman says he wishes Johnston “would tell the truth.”
• Adam Burg, who once worked for the Johnston administration expressed disappointment over the public dispute. He emphasized that once migrants were registered in Denver, they had the freedom to move wherever they wanted, whether within the metro area, to other states, or different parts of the country.
• All of the Insiders expressed disappointment in the situation and hope for a respectful resolution. Adam Burg used the word “disappointing.” Eric Sondermann referred to the editorial as “overly harsh.”
• Marianne Goodland acknowledged the mayors can disagree but that they can also cooperate and present a united front to the state government.
• Patty Calhoun said it was “interesting” that amongst the publishing of the editorial, Mayor Johnston gave the media less than 24 hours’ notice for a speech touting his administration’s accomplishments.
• In the meantime, Aurora continues to receive international attention for violence among migrant gangs in the city.

The Insiders are all excited for this weekend’s start of the National Western Stock Show. It’s the 119th year for, as they call it, “the best 16 days in January.”