Pueblo, CO — As the Colorado legislature enters the final stretch of its 2025 session, lawmakers are racing against the clock to resolve numerous key issues before they adjourn on May 7. With a packed agenda, the coming days will be filled with high-stakes debates on a range of bills, including several controversial proposals.
State Representative Meg Froelich, a Democrat from Englewood, summarized the frantic pace of the final weeks, saying, “It feels like 80% of the work happens in the last two weeks.” Froelich noted that the late finalization of the state’s budget delayed the legislative process, making it difficult to move forward until lawmakers knew how much money they had to work with — or, in some cases, how much they did not.
One of the most closely watched pieces of legislation is Senate Bill 25-161, which aims to reform the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Froelich, a primary sponsor of the bill, emphasized that improving public transit is essential for achieving Colorado’s broader climate and housing goals. “This bill addresses all of the things that we need to do to make sure that we’re increasing ridership, that helps us meet our climate goals and gets people out of their cars,” Froelich explained. Additionally, the bill is designed to support housing development by making transit more reliable and accessible.
Meanwhile, another bill, Senate Bill 25-276, is stirring up debate over privacy protections for immigrants. The bill would expand safeguards for undocumented individuals and limit cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities. Senator Julie Gonzales, a Democrat from Denver and a primary sponsor of the bill, argued, “Colorado thrives when everyone, regardless of their immigration status, can live, work, and contribute without fear.”
However, the bill has faced sharp opposition from Republicans, who are concerned that it could hinder law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal authorities, particularly when it comes to violent criminals. House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese expressed these concerns, emphasizing the need for collaboration on issues of public safety.
Another contentious issue is a joint resolution challenging the constitutionality of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). Sponsored by State Representative Sean Camacho, this resolution questions whether the fiscal restrictions imposed by TABOR, which has been in place since 1992, are still appropriate given the state’s current financial challenges. While Democrats argue that TABOR’s limits no longer reflect modern needs, Republicans have vowed to fight any efforts to undermine the law. “Protecting the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a huge priority for my caucus,” Pugliese said, predicting intense floor debates over the issue.
In addition to these major proposals, lawmakers are considering several other bills, including Senate Bill 25-005, which would make it easier for workers to form unions, and House Bill 25-1327, a measure aimed at increasing transparency in the statewide ballot measure process. Critics of the latter argue that the bill could make it harder for conservative groups to get initiatives on the ballot, a charge that sponsor State Representative Emily Sirota strongly denied.
Another key item on the agenda is a possible override of Governor Jared Polis’ veto of Senate Bill 25-077, which would update the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). While the state Senate has already voted to override the veto, the outcome in the House remains uncertain. A two-thirds vote is required to override a gubernatorial veto, a rare and often difficult feat. The last time the legislature successfully overrode a veto was 14 years ago.
As the clock ticks down, lawmakers are bracing for a busy and contentious final week. They will be working through the weekend, with the hopes of passing as much legislation as possible before they adjourn. The coming days will undoubtedly shape the legislative landscape for years to come.
