colorado general assembly

A bill that would provide state tax rebates to draw data centers to Colorado has run into opposition from critics who warn of the facilities’ large demands for energy and water and potentially higher costs for other electric customers. The legislation would offer state sales and use tax rebates for construction materials and equipment starting in 2026. Senate Bill 24-085 declares that investing in projects such as data centers “is crucial for the economy of the future” and Colorado, considered a growing high-tech hub, is…

Homeowners associations’ foreclosure filings on thousands of Coloradans’ houses over unpaid fines and fees have spurred fresh attempts by lawmakers to better regulate HOAs and metropolitan districts with the hope of preventing more people from losing their homes. Lawmakers have introduced several reform bills that would restrict foreclosures from delinquent fees and require HOAs and metro districts to adopt written policies, enhance notifications to homeowners and add licensing requirements for professional managers. The…

Natural gas prices are lower than a year ago, when many Coloradans saw big jumps in their heating bills, but the need for help to pay utility bills remains high, say agencies that offer assistance. For the week ending Jan. 21, the nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado fielded 555 applications for assistance and spent $333,229, said spokeswoman Denise Stepto. “The need is just unprecedented. These numbers are bigger than we’ve seen them before,” Stepto said. She attributes the ongoing need to overall elevated costs. And…

Colorado workers who need to take time off from work to care for a new baby or family member — or to deal with their own serious health condition — can now receive pay for that time away from their job. But there are limitations on both the length of paid time available and how much is paid under the state’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, known as FAMLI. Colorado voters created the program in 2020 when Proposition 118 passed with nearly 58% support. Employers and employees began paying into the program last…

Four of the seven bills passed by lawmakers during an emergency session aimed at softening property tax increases and providing other forms of relief to residents were signed into law Monday evening by Gov. Jared Polis, just hours after the legislature adjourned. The measures approved since Friday, in a session called after voters rejected Proposition HH this month, will affect nearly all Coloradans who are grappling with surging property taxes and a fast-rising cost of living. The owner of a typical $500,000 home will…

Colorado lawmakers have returned to the State Capitol on Monday morning for the fourth — and possibly final — day of a special session aimed at providing relief from skyrocketing property taxes, rents and other cost-of-living expenses for Coloradans. The House and Senate both reconvened shortly after 10 a.m.. Together they have five bills scheduled for final floor votes and, if needed, discussions to reconcile details between the versions passed by each chamber. The outstanding bills include the majority Democrats’ main…