Bente Birkeland

State lawmakers are in the middle of debating the annual budget. And even though there’s more money than last year, Republicans are not happy with what’s known as the ‘long’ bill.

There’s only one absolute requirement for Colorado lawmakers at the capitol. During the annual legislative session they must pass a budget.

Following a long debate in committee last week and a delay on the final vote, a bill to repeal Colorado's death penalty was killed Tuesday.

A major re-write of how Colorado funds K through 12 schools is now making its way through the state legislature. It’s an annual bill – but this year one state lawmaker wants to add even more money to it despite the objections of others.

Colorado is now the eighth state in the country to allow same sex couples to enter into a civil union.  Governor John Hickenlooper signed the measure into law Thursday in front of an enthusiastic crowd.