Pueblo, CO — As the 2025 Colorado legislative session wraps up, state leaders from both parties are looking back on the work they accomplished over the past four months.
On Thursday, Democratic leaders gathered with Governor Jared Polis in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood for the signing of Senate Bill 25-002, a measure designed to reduce regulatory barriers for modular housing. The bill, which aims to address the state’s ongoing housing crisis, seeks to accelerate the construction of affordable housing by streamlining regulations.
Governor Polis emphasized the importance of innovation in solving the state’s housing challenges. “This bill will help lean into innovation as one of the ways we can build more housing quicker,” he said.
Democratic leaders also highlighted the balanced budget passed by the legislature this year, despite the challenge of cutting more than $1 billion from the state’s budget. Senate President James Coleman praised the bipartisan effort of the Joint Budget Committee, which he said managed to protect essential services while making significant cuts.
“They came into this session with seemingly impossible tasks of cutting over $1 billion from the budget without harming essential services that Coloradans rely on,” said Coleman, a Democrat from Denver.
In addition to fiscal issues, Democratic lawmakers touted their work on protecting civil rights. House Speaker Julie McCluskie spoke about their commitment to safeguarding the rights of immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals in the state. “Very proud of our partnership with the governor in making sure that the action we were taking would ultimately result in safeguarding those rights and freedoms,” she said.
While Democrats celebrated their successes, Republican lawmakers also reflected on the session’s outcomes, asserting that their party had managed to accomplish key goals despite holding a minority position in the legislature.
“We are really excited about the work that we were able to accomplish this session, even being in the minority,” said House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Republican from Colorado Springs.
Republicans pointed to bipartisan bills that passed, alongside their efforts to block certain Democratic initiatives, including a resolution to challenge the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). Some Democratic lawmakers had expressed interest in moving forward with that proposal, but it did not gain traction this year.
Perhaps the most contentious issue of the session was the passage of Senate Bill 25-003, a bill that bans certain semiautomatic firearms. Republicans were vocal in their opposition to the bill, framing it as an infringement on Second Amendment rights.
“We saw an assault on the Second Amendment with Senate Bill 25-003,” said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, a Republican from Trinidad. “We heard from people in all districts across the state — all 65 — who believe the government should keep their hands off our guns, and we’re going to continue to fight for those rights.”
As the 2025 legislative session concludes, both parties reflect on their respective achievements, with Democrats emphasizing progress on housing, the budget, and civil rights protections, while Republicans point to their role in defending fiscal and constitutional principles, particularly around gun rights. The contrast in priorities highlights the ongoing political divisions in the state, even as both sides claim success.
