Colorado lawmakers build blue wall to protect state from Trump
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Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 22 to promote modular housing Thursday, the day after the legislature adjourned. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images
This year's legislative session ended the same way it began — with an eye on the Trump administration.
State of play: The Democratic-led General Assembly pushed through roughly a dozen bills designed to build a wall around Colorado for protection from federal mandates.
- The legislation included additional safeguards for immigrants in the country illegally, doctors who offer abortion services, same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
- Lawmakers also set aside $4 million to defend the state in court against federal overreach.
What they're saying: "We had to step up to protect our state," House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) told reporters at a briefing Thursday, the day after the legislature adjourned. "Mounting threats from Washington required us to take action to protect our freedoms, our core services, our public education funding and Medicaid."
- The legislative approach is "a statement of values," Gov. Jared Polis added. "We want to make sure that people can contribute to make our state safer and stronger and more prosperous, regardless of what people's genders are, who they love," he said.
The other side: State Rep. Rick Taggart (R-Grand Junction) said Democrats are taking the wrong approach. "To try to be confrontational, to be ready to sue on a moment's notice, that to me is irresponsible," he said.
Context: The potential cuts to Medicaid — the health insurance program for lower-income families, seniors and children — is drawing the most concern from lawmakers.
- The White House and Republican members of Congress are considering a massive overhaul of the Medicaid system, one that could put a $12 billion hole in the state's budget, according to one analysis.
What we're watching: Trump's shadow on Colorado's lawmaking is poised to continue. Any significant cuts to the Medicaid safety-net program would "almost certainly" require lawmakers to return for a special session to reconfigure the state budget, the governor said.
If lawmakers come back for a special session, pressure is mounting to revisit the state's artificial intelligence law to delay implementation amid fierce opposition from tech companies. An overhaul bill failed in the final days of the session.
- Sen. Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) said he plans to resume talks on the topic in coming days. "If we do, at some point, have a special session … we'll have a much better product that we can put together for the state of Colorado and get that stuff done," he said.