As parents ready their children to head back to school on Monday, legislators are preparing to head back to the Capitol on Wednesday for a special session. Gov. Jared Polis has once again called lawmakers into session to address an $800,000 budget shortfall due to the federal budget bill and continue debate on a controversial AI bill.
August is not usually a time when we hear much about legislative activity, but 216 laws approved last session went into effect Aug. 6. The Herald’s editorial board feels inclined to share our thoughts on a few of the more notable ones – ranging from quirky to consequential – largely advanced and approved by Democrats who hold majorities in both chambers.
Lab-grown meat. House Bill 25-1203 requires that companies clearly label their product as “cell-cultivated meat.” Our first thought: gross. We’re not fans. While it may be a while before this type of protein hits grocery store shelves, consumers should at least know what they’re buying. Clarity in labeling is common sense.
Official state mushroom. House Bill 25-1091 designates Agaricus julius – the Emperor Mushroom – as Colorado’s official state fungus. It grows in high-altitude spruce-fir forests and is prized for its rich flavor. As we head into wild mushroom season, we suspect it will still be fair game for foragers, with or without official status.
Cellphone policies in schools. House Bill 25-1135 requires every public and charter school to establish a formal student cellphone policy by July 2026. Locally, Durango School District and Animas High School are ahead of the curve. DSD bans cellphone use during the school day; Durango High allows it at teachers’ discretion for academic purposes; Animas High requires phones to be off and put away unless a teacher permits them for classwork. In an era of constant distraction, we applaud our schools for leading on this issue and helping students focus on learning.
Firearms and suicide prevention. Senate Bill 25-034 creates a voluntary “Do-Not-Sell Firearms Waiver,” allowing individuals to block themselves from buying a gun as a suicide prevention tool. We strongly supported this bill, but its implementation has been delayed for lack of funding. The state still needs to raise $200,000 in outside donations, which are being accepted by the Colorado Division of Public Safety (inquire at cdps_hr@state.co.us). This law has the potential to save lives; the funding gap must be closed.
Access to state parks. House Bill 25-1163 grants Colorado Ute Tribes free entry into state parks, recognizing that these lands are ancestral and sacred sites. We support this measure fully. One flaw, however, is that some tribal members whose forebears were forcibly displaced from the state remain ineligible. They should not be excluded. Lawmakers should amend this oversight in the next session.
Taken together, these new laws reveal the sweep of state government: some whimsical, some overdue, some life-and-death. From regulating futuristic food to protecting young people from their phones, from honoring tribal sovereignty to reducing suicide risk, legislation touches nearly every aspect of our lives.
It’s easy to tune out what happens in Denver. But this sampling of over 200 new laws – serious and symbolic alike – remind us why staying engaged matters. Our communities deserve laws that reflect our values. As this special session begins, we urge legislators to carry forward that same mix of practicality, protection, and fairness. And we urge all of us, as citizens, to keep paying attention.
