Bente Birkeland

Governor John Hickenlooper marked his first 100 days in office Thursday praising his cabinet and staff for making the transition smooth. And while Hickenlooper wins high marks from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for taking a collaborative approach to the job, some of his top priorities for the legislative session are still up in the air.

Colorado’s committee charged with redrawing congressional districts will miss its deadline for creating a bi-partisan map. The committee spent hours arguing and reached an impasse Wednesday evening. The group is now asking legislative leaders for more time to try and reach a compromise.

The state legislature is required to draw up new congressional maps to coincide with the latest census figures. But so far Republicans and Democrats on a bi-partisan committee have come up vastly different proposals.

A bill to expand the state’s bear hunting season ignited a passionate debate from agriculture producers and animal rights groups on Monday.  Proponents say it’ll help curb the growing bear population, but opponents worry the measure could harm female bears and orphan cubs. 

Democrats in the state Senate passed a bill on Monday that would allow illegal immigrants to receive in-state college tuition. It faces a tougher challenge in the Republican controlled House.