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Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The Tobacco MSA was reached in 1998 between certain tobacco manufacturers (known as “participating manufacturers”) and the governments of 52 states and territories. Under the MSA, participating tobacco manufacturers are released from health‑related claims associated with their products in exchange for making perpetual annual payments to states. Payments made to Colorado under this agreement are exempt from TABOR as a damage award.

During the 2025 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered several measures related to taxes, finance, and the state budget. Also, the General Assembly considered several bills during the 2025 extraordinary session related to matters of taxes and the state budget. 

Term Limit Information for Members of the Colorado State Senate.

Legislative committees are a very important part of Colorado's legislative process. At a legislative committee hearing, citizens have an opportunity to express their views and have them incorporated into the official legislative record. In Colorado, every bill receives a public hearing by one of the legislature's committees. This memorandum provides guidance to the public in participating in the legislative process.

This memorandum provides an overview of the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government Act" (SMART Government Act). The act requires executive agencies to annually present specific information to joint legislative committees during the first two weeks of the legislative session. This memorandum summarizes the information that state agencies are required to submit to committees in advance of the hearings and information presented in the hearings.
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Term Limit Information for Members of the Colorado House of Representatives

The Colorado General Assembly meets annually in regular session for up to 120 days. However, the Colorado Constitution allows the Colorado General Assembly to meet outside of the 120‑day regular legislative session to conduct legislative business in a special legislative session (special session). This memorandum provides information about special sessions, including their length and frequency, how they can be called, and information on each special session since statehood.

The Colorado General Assembly passed a number of bills related to human services and families. Many of these laws were recommendations from interim committees and task forces. Others made changes to Colorado’s child welfare system, introduced guardrails around access to certain online material, and more.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a variety of measures related to higher education in Colorado. Specifically, the legislature adopted bills related to workforce development, credentials and degrees, pathways to student success, and student athlete compensation.

The 75^th General Assembly passed numerous pieces of legislation regarding public health. While not all of the public health legislation fell into these groups, three major themes for public health were: emergency preparedness, education and transparency, and behavioral health.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered various measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to wage and hour laws, vocational rehabilitation, and workforce development.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to liquor, tobacco, marijuana, and gaming.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a variety of measures related to K-12 education in Colorado. The legislature passed laws related to student health and well-being, student and school safety, standards and assessments, school accountability, and governance and funding.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to business and economic development.

The 75^th General Assembly passed several bills related to veterinary care, animals, state parks, wildlife management, agriculture, and food regulations. There were also some notable bills that were introduced, but did not become law.

During the 2025 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered several measures to change or expand the regulation of certain professions including physicians and other medical professionals, motor vehicle dealers, plumbers, electricians, and real estate appraisers. The General Assembly also passed several laws continuing the regulation of certain professions under the state sunrise and sunset review process.

Water policy continues to be an important theme in the 75^th General Assembly. Water-related bills from this session focused on water quality, water administration efficiency, and municipal water use. Three measures that are generally passed annually, which allocate funding for species conservation and water projects, were also passed. As water resources become more limited with ongoing drought and shrinking snowpack, water policy is likely to continue to be a main concern for lawmakers.

The General Assembly considered several measures related to local governments during the 2025 legislation session, including bills that affect taxation and fees, permitting procedures, land use, and special districts.

The General Assembly considered several measures related to housing during the 2025 legislation session, including bills that affect landlords and tenants, state housing programs, and residential building regulations.

Colorado statute establishes the Legislative Council as a body of 18 Senators and Representatives with specific functions and responsibilities (Section 2-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.).  Six senators are appointed, with the President of the Senate appointing the majority party members and the Minority Leader appointing the minority party members, all of whom must be approved by a majority of the Senate.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of bills related to transportation and motor vehicles.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of bills affecting funding for capital construction and the duties of the Capital Development Committee (CDC).

Colorado has a uniquely diverse landscape. From the plains of the eastern front to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the state’s energy profile includes coal and natural resources as well as renewable energy, such as wind, solar, and geothermal. Capitalizing on the diversity of resources and in response to increased energy demands, the General Assembly considered several measures related to energy and natural resources during the 2025 legislative session.

The Colorado General Assembly passed a variety of criminal justice, corrections, and court-related bills in 2025. The new laws made changes to forensic science, law enforcement, judges and municipal courts, prison policies, and immigration.