Colorado’s 2025 legislative session began Wednesday like most sessions do, with a lot of pageantry and little business.
The atmosphere was collegial in both the state House of Representatives and Senate as new lawmakers were sworn-in. Many brought their families and friends along to share the historic day.
“I was talking to my children this morning, and they said, ‘Mommy, why do you keep doing this job?’ ” House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, said in her opening day remarks. Her two kids were among those joining their lawmaker parents in the chamber.
“I said, ‘Because the people trusted me to be here to be their voice.’’
Much of the day was spent on the ceremonial proceedings that mark the official start of legislative work, but it also included some speeches in which Republican and Democratic leaders laid out their plans for the session.
Both parties said they plan to prioritize affordability issues, particularly those around housing and the cost of living for Coloradans.
Democrats, who hold large majorities in both the House and Senate, hope to build on many of the policies they have implemented in recent years, including protections for workers, immigrants, reproductive rights, the LGBTQ+ community and the environment.
Democratic party leadership said it is also preparing to respond to policies from the incoming Trump administration.
“We don’t know exactly what we will face from this new administration, but they have published their playbook and we are watching,” said House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We will be ready to do what is best for the people of this state because we’ve been here before.”
Republican priorities include public safety, immigration enforcement, parental rights and rolling back regulations they see as unnecessary or overburdensome.
The party’s leadership said policies implemented under the Democratic majority have contributed to some of Colorado’s problems.
“We, as a legislature, have to acknowledge the role we have played in making Colorado unaffordable,” Pugliese said.
Apart from their legislative priorities, both parties also acknowledged that the nearly $700 million deficit in the state budget will involve tough negotiations and take up a significant portion of lawmakers’ attention.
This story was produced by the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
