Lawmakers eye easier credit for energy-efficient upgrades

“This is not just a cute thing because there’ll be more trees in Colorado. This is about more jobs, less paid out in bills, and it reduces energy uses.”

Farmers market bill approved by Ag panel

Senate Bill 258, sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, and Reps. Ed Vigil, D-Fort Garland, and Don Coram, R-Montrose passed out of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources today.  The measure would allow non-perishable food such as baked goods or jams and jellies, as well as eggs, to be sold at farmers markets and similar venues by [...]

Software tax repeal bill moved forward

House Bill 1293, by Sens. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge and Linda Newell, D-Englewood; and Republican House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, of Monument, and Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock, cleared the Senate Finance Committee today. The bill repeals a measure passed last year that created a new tax on software used by businesses.  The software tax was part of [...]

Proposal pitches a more effective way to grapple with graffiti

“It … gives offenders a way to acknowledge what they’ve done and to do something about it.”

Senate GOP falls short in call for a tax time-out

Senate Republicans were thwarted today in a bid before the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee to call for a declaration by the Senate opposing any tax increases by the General Assembly in the next two years. Senate Resolution 4’s primary sponsor, Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp, of Littleton, was joined by all [...]

Health exchange bill heads to House

Senate Bill 200, creating a framework for health-benefit exchanges to be formed as prescribed by the federal Health Care Reform Act, passed the Senate today on a party-line vote.
The bill is now headed to the House, where it is sponsored by Republican Majority Leader Amy Stephens, of Monument. Its Democratic Senate sponsor is President Pro [...]

Regulating roofers rejected by Senate

SB207, by Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, was lost on a voice-vote today in the Senate.   The bill would have established a registration process within the Department of Regulatory Agencies for roofing contractors and roofers. The bill also called for training, liability coverage, and prescribed contract requirements.  Additionally, the measure would have prohibited a roofing [...]

Health care compact proposal wins first round

House Bill 1273, sponsored by Republican Reps. B.J. Nikkel of Loveland, House Majority Leader Amy Stephens of Monument, and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp of Littleton passed out of the House Health and Environment Committee today on a party line vote. The bill has been named the Health Care Opportunity and Patient Empowerment, (HOPE), [...]

Businesses would get an ear on the bench under pending bill

“It’s a win-win for everyone involved. It enables the judiciary to more effectively deal with these cases and deal with other issues that they also deal with.”

Ag land ‘loophole’ bill goes to Guv

House Bill 1146, by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs and Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, was given final approval today in the House and is headed to the governor for consideration. The measure says that up to two acres of ag property that a home sits on can be taxed at a higher residential rate—if the [...]