Colorado debates AI law ahead of special session
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
The special legislative session next week will center on Colorado's $1 billion budget gap — but Gov. Jared Polis also wants a revamp of the state's precedent-setting artificial intelligence law.
Why it matters: The debate is being closely watched nationwide as consumer advocates and big players in the tech industry battle over whether to limit AI's capabilities in high-risk areas where discrimination is possible, such as health care.
Catch up quick: State lawmakers approved the legislation in the 2024 session but delayed its implementation until February 2026.
- The governor reluctantly signed the bill in May 2024 despite sharing the concerns of venture capitalists and others in the tech industry that it would stymie innovation.
- A month later, he joined the attorney general and lead bill sponsor, Sen. Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver), to issue a letter saying they would consider changes to make the regulations less burdensome.
- An effort to delay or overhaul the legislation failed in the regular session, and now it's back on the agenda for when lawmakers return to the Capitol on Aug. 21.
What they're saying: The governor, in his special session order, cited "widespread agreement that changes need to be made" to lower the costs on government and business to implement the law.
Yes, but: In an exclusive interview, Rodriguez — who controls the Senate calendar as majority leader — told us he doesn't want to debate AI in the special session.
- He said it would be "distracting" and too "messy" for a short special session.
The intrigue: Rodriguez is willing to find a compromise, he said, but now believes opponents asking for changes are just looking "to kill my policy."
- "I think [it's] much ado about nothing," he said regarding demands to change the policy.
The other side: In an interview Tuesday, Polis told Axios Denver that "it's important to [make changes] sooner rather than later" given the looming implementation date.