Legislative Session Review: Colorado

Colorado adjourned its 2018 legislative session sine die on May 9. Major developments included a last-minute deal to save the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA), attempts to restructure the state Civil Rights Commission, and increased funding to public education and transportation projects.

Legislative Highlights

• In the waning hours of the legislative session, lawmakers struck a deal to rescue PERA that would result in retirees receiving sparer benefits, public employees needing to make larger contributions to their retirement savings, and taxpayers backfilling an additional $225 million.
• Following a strike by education activists, lawmakers passed increased funding for state education that included increasing per-pupil spending and establishing a stipend to recruit rural teachers.
• Lawmakers approved a plan to earmark $645 million for the transportation system over the next two years, with the possibility of also authorizing a multi-billion bond.
• Several legislators came under scrutiny for sexual harassment in 2018. The General Assembly dramatically expelled Representative Steve Lebsock (D) after 11 women accused him harassment. State Senator Randy Baumgardner (R) also faced accusations of sexual harassment and assault, but efforts to expel him failed, though he was forced to resign his chairmanship of the transportation committee. Although these two lawmakers faced the most intense scrutiny, five other lawmakers have also faced accusations of sexual misconduct this year.

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