State Sen. Chris Hansen announced this week he is resigning to take a job in the private sector, even though he won reelection just last week. For him, it’s about paying for his kids’ college education, but it also means the next state senator from Denver will be chosen by a committee rather than by the voters.

Lawmakers convene on Monday for the second special legislative session on property taxes in less than a year, with an already-established deal in place. Now, some Democratic lawmakers plan to introduce a constitutional amendment to give local communities control over property taxes. Republicans are calling it a “dealbreaker.”

More than 200 new state laws take effect this week. Most of them won’t affect everyday Coloradans, but some could have big impacts on low-income college students, wearable technology users, law enforcement officers, and alpine wildlife.

Greg Lopez won the special election last week to fill the remainder of former Congressman Ken Buck’s term representing Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District. He wants to prioritize immigration, economic and water policy, and supports a full, national ban on abortion.

The Associated Press called Northern Colorado’s Fourth and Eighth Congressional District Republican primaries for Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans within minutes of polls closing. Winners were also called in the Third and Fifth Congressional Districts.

Friday was the last day Gov. Polis could sign bills passed by the legislature this year. Polis completed the most annual bill-signings in more than a decade, but also faced significant backlash for his vetoes.

Colorado’s 2024 lawmaking term ended with notable civility in comparison to the tense final days of last year’s session. This year, lawmakers came together to pass flagship legislation on property taxes, education funding, housing and gun control.

Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to pass dozens of pending bills around housing, transportation, and substance use. They also are pushing through late-session deals on property taxes and air quality legislation in order avoid costly fights at the ballot box in November.

Gov. Jared Polis and top Democrats announced an agreement with the fossil fuel industry and environmental advocates to avert a ballot box fight in November. As part of the deal, lawmakers scrapped more aggressive regulatory proposals in place of two new bills, with just days left in the legislative session.

Gov. Jared Polis wants lawmakers to exempt corporations like Coors Brewing Company and Anheuser-Busch from a bill that would create a new alcohol enterprise fee to raise money for alcohol use disorder treatment and prevention services across Colorado. The bill’s sponsors and supporters aren’t happy.