What Colorado lawmakers did for and to schools in 2018

In a world of competing priorities, education came out ahead.

Colorado lawmakers conclude 2018 session with pension deal

Lawmakers narrowly passed an ambitious plan to rescue the state pension fund from the fiscal brink.

Colorado Sen. Randy Baumgardner, accused of misconduct, is sanctioned

Colorado Senate Democrats protested what they call light punishment for a Republican senator repeatedly accused of sexual and workplace harassment.

Colorado House Democrats propose transportation bill rewrite

The last-minute proposal places the two sides at another impasse over how much to spend on transportation.

Schools, roads and PERA get a boost from the $28.9 billion state budget Gov. Hickenlooper signed today

The budget covers the 2018-19 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Immigrant driver’s bill advances to aid Colorado farm labor

The bill would let immigrants who are in the country illegally renew their driver's licenses online or by mail.

With school finance act, Colorado lawmakers try to pass the hot potato of teacher pay to local districts

A school finance act that puts more money into K-12 education than Colorado has spent at any point since the Great Recession passed a key House committee.

$35 million for school safety will go toward school resource officers

Some Democrats and community groups objected strongly to hiring more school resource officers because they worry about the criminalization of children, particularly students of color.

Colorado business groups endorse plan to fund roads

Monday's announcement eliminated a key roadblock that stymied political negotiations at the divided legislature for much of the year.

What’s next for Colorado schools ‘on the clock’? This bill would show the way.

A bill introduced this week in the Colorado General Assembly would lay out the next steps.

Colorado Senate approves $28.9 billion state budget

Lawmakers approved millions of dollars in new spending on a variety of pet projects and boosted funding to rural broadband, affordable housing and school security.

Colorado House sends $29 billion budget bill to Senate

The focus will be on how much transportation — long an underfunded priority — should receive.

Lawmakers add $35 million to Colorado budget for school officers, security upgrades

It was the most significant change to the state’s $28.9 million budget in hours of debate Wednesday.

Colorado transportation bonds bill heads to House

Colorado's Senate unanimously approved a bill to ask voters in 2019 if the state can issue $3.5 billion in bonds for roads and bridges.

Colorado Senate minority leader steps down, cites misconduct

Sen. Lucia Guzman of Denver has struggled with Senate Republican leaders over the handling of sexual misconduct allegations against three Republican lawmakers.

The “Wish You Were Here” neon has come down. Will it find a new Denver home?

The much-Instagrammed installation that formerly sat atop Rule Gallery on Santa Fe Drive was on loan to the MCA from a private collection.

Budget battles likely to overshadow education issues as Colorado legislature convenes

The big issues for this session are expected to be reform of the state pension fund and transportation funding, and both will have implications for education.

Here’s a look at the first education bills to hit the floor in Colorado

Some make tweaks to existing laws and policies, some tackle long-standing deficiencies, and some are message bills doomed to die an early death.

On first day of 2018 legislative session, Colorado Republicans say they will fight for road funding

Minority Republicans in the Colorado House will fight for road funding without raising taxes, closely examine Medicaid spending and seek to cut government regulation.

As Colorado lawmakers open a new session, House Speaker Duran says Capitol culture must change

The Denver Democrat drew applause in declaring on Wednesday's opening day that "there is no place for harassment, hate speech or discrimination in this chamber."