Colorado bucks Trump's AI order

Colorado is moving ahead with its own law to regulate artificial intelligence, despite President Trump's executive order demanding a moratorium on state action.

Why it matters: The state's decision not only risks Trump's ire but also his threat to withhold money for venturing a course that could create a national patchwork of laws.

State of play: Signed into law in 2024, Colorado's regulations require disclosures and limits when AI is used in "high risk" situations that could lead to discrimination. The implementation date is delayed to June 30, 2026.

• Trump wrote in his executive order last week that Colorado's law goes too far and exemplifies why he wants a national policy.

What they're saying: Short of congressional action, Colorado leaders favor a consensus on the state's law.

• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis initially supported a federal moratorium and still backs a national framework. But in a statement to Axios he expressed encouragement that Colorado can get it right with a new bill in 2026.
• Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is threatening to sue the Trump administration to defend state law, likewise favors a fix rather than a repeal. "It would be a mistake … to block states from adopting protective measures on … a range of other actions that harm consumers," Weiser said in a statement.

The intrigue: Not all are happy with Colorado's first-of-its-kind regulations, but policymakers are committed to a fix rather than bowing to federal pressure.

• A task force of industry leaders convened by Polis is working on a compromise amendment to the current law ahead of the next legislative session, which starts in January.
• Its legislative supporters are working on their own measure.