Colorado lawmakers are racing against the calendar — or, depending on one’s outlook — wielding time like a weapon against disfavored policies — to finish their business for the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly.
The legislature must adjourn by the end of the day on May 8, giving them 10 final days. With that deadline pressure, here’s a look at votes and other action by lawmakers on Monday.
11:50 a.m.: The Colorado Senate voted 29-5 to let voters amend the Colorado Constitution to remove a defunct provision that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The provision hasn’t been enforceable since the landmark 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Republican Sens. Mark Baisley, Byron Pelton, Rod Pelton, Kevin Van Winkle and Perry Will voted against the measure. It still needs approval in the House — where Democrats hold a supermajority — before it goes to voters for approval.
Republicans hold a minority of seats in the Senate, as well, but have enough seats to stop proposed constitutional amendments, which require two-third support, if they unify against them. They used that margin earlier this session to stop a proposed amendment to allow people to bring civil claims of childhood sexual assault regardless of when that assault happened.
But Monday’s vote included several Republicans joining with Democrats, easily clearing the two-thirds threshold.
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