The first regular session of the 75th Colorado General Assembly concluded on May 7 after our constitutionally limited 120 days. We actually completed our legislative work several hours before midnight this year, unlike previous years.
The Assembly introduced and acted on 733 bills, resolutions and memorials. The budget continued to take center stage until the final hours.
Of the bills introduced, 153 of them were “postponed Indefinitely” or just not acted upon, many times because of fiscal impacts. Many that passed both chambers still need to be created into an act for leadership and the governor’s signature (or veto!). Stay tuned. I am hoping we don’t get called back in for a special session, but it’s not out of the question.
I did prime sponsor a number of bills that positively impacted our communities and all Coloradans. Some of the more notable ones included policies associated with:
Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes:
- HB25-1057 Continue the American Indian Affairs Interim Committee.
- HB25-1163 Free Access to State Parks for Colorado Ute Tribes.
- SB25-061 Federally Recognized Tribes and Construction of Laws.
Natural resources:
- HB25-1014 Increasing Efficiency Division of Water Resources.
- HB25-1165 Geologic Storage Enterprise and Geothermal Resources.
- HJR25-1004 Water Projects Eligibility Lists.
- SB25-040 Future of Severance Taxes and Water Funding Task Force.
- SB25-054 Mining Reclamation and Interstate Compact.
- SB25-283 Funding Water Conservation Board Projects.
Health care:
- HB25-1176 Behavioral Health Treatment Stigma for Providers.
- HB25-1222 Preserving Access to Rural Independent Pharmacies.
- HB25-1288 Support for Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- SB25-084 Medicaid Access to Parenteral Nutrition.
- SB25-122 Extending Organ and Tissue Donation Fund.
Government and insurance:
- HB25-1182 Risk Model Use in Property Insurance Policies.
- HB25-1247 County Lodging Tax Expansion.
- SB25-067 Prosecution Fellowship Program Changes.
- SB25-309 Authorize Legislative Fellows.
Looking ahead to next year, the budget will again play a big part in our debates. We did submit a balanced budget for next year in spite of the “structural deficit” created over the last several years. We did that largely by transferring cash fund balances departments had accumulated over the years back to the general fund for day-to-day operations.
That can be characterized as a one-time opportunity for the 2025-26 budget year. We must review and prioritize the hundreds of new programs and offices created in the last six years to resolve the structural deficit, where we spend more revenue than we generate.
Was there a real need, for example, to create the offices of Rail Safety, New Americans, Sustainability, Saving People Money on Healthcare, Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery, and Cannabis Business, just to name a few.
I look forward to the interim and the opportunity to engage with constituents across Senate District 6. Please reach out if there are scheduled events I can attend and connect with folks. I have always taken the approach if I have an opening on my calendar, I will make every effort to be there.
I will also enjoy spending time at the Rio Grande Water Conservation District along with my family on our farm, both are good for the soul and to revitalize the spirit.
It is such an honor serving you all at the Capitol.
Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa) is the Colorado state senator representing District 6 that includes Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Dolores, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan and San Miguel counties.
