Dems score legislative wins on gun control, other issues in Colorado

(The Center Square) – The Democratic majority in the Colorado General Assembly passed several major bills on hot-button issues like gun control and gender identity during this year’s legislative session.

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis touted the achievements of the 75th General Assembly, which convened on Jan. 7 and adjourned Wednesday. Among the session’s big hurdles was passing the $43.9 billion state budget for the fiscal year and dealing with a $1.2 billion deficit during the negotiations.

“Every year, we work to go even further to deliver results for Coloradans, and that’s what we’ve done during this legislative session,” the governor said in a statement. “We are breaking down barriers to housing Coloradans can afford, increasing funding for law enforcement and safer communities, and investing in Colorado students and educators. With these new laws, we are pushing toward a more affordable, sustainable and livable Colorado for everyone.”

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, said the majority “delivered this year with a productive session” in a written statement.

“From turning on the new school finance formula that invests in our students to saving people money on housing, health care and child care, we focused on what matters most to Coloradans,” she said. “This session shows our strength and resiliency to protect taxpayers and core services like education, Medicaid and public safety in the face of threats from Washington and significant budget constraints.”

Gun control bills

Colorado Democrats were able to pass the state’s most extensive gun control bill yet. It was signed into law in April by the governor.

The legislation bans the manufacture, sale and purchase of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns that take detachable magazines, unless an individual secures a “firearms safety course eligibility card” from their sheriff and takes an extensive state-approved course.

Republicans and Second Amendment rights groups have lobbied the Trump administration to investigate the new law and other Colorado laws already on the books.

The legislature also increased the age to purchase ammunition to 21.

Gender identity bill

One of the most divisive bills of the session was House Bill 25-1312, which adds more legal protections for transgender people, including making deadnaming and misgendering discriminatory actions under the state’s anti-discrimination act.

A controversial “coercive control” clause was notably removed from the bill. It would have allowed judges to consider a parent’s use of misgendering a child as abuse when making custody decisions.

TABOR lawsuit fails

Democrats sought to pass a resolution that would have led to a lawsuit on behalf of the General Assembly to sue over the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, the constitutional amendment voters passed in 1992 that limits state revenue growth and requires excess revenue to be refunded back to taxpayers.

The resolution passed the House but died on the calendar in the Senate when the session ended.

Collective bargaining bill

Democrats passed a new collective bargaining bill in the final days of the session. The legislation would eliminate the state’s current requirement for a second union vote.

The bill still faces an uphill battle as the governor has in the past said he’s opposed.

Trump legal defense

The majority party set aside $4 million in funding to cover costs associated with lawsuits against the Trump administration. Democratic sponsors argued it’s necessary to protect taxpayer dollars and key federal funding, but Republicans said the funds should be spent on infrastructure.