A bill that would have allowed civil unions in Colorado failed in the Republican controlled house late last night despite having enough GOP votes to pass. It happened after a dramatic fallout on the chamber floor, when Republicans recessed the house for several hours as Democrats were trying to call up the bill. Bente Birkeland [...]

Today is the make or break day for a bill to allow civil unions in Colorado, and several hundred supporters came to the capitol to rally for the measure to be debated on the full house floor. The bill needs an initial vote by midnight or it will die on the calendar. But it’s still [...]

Governor John Hickenlooper signed the state’s more than 7 billion dollar budget on Monday. It had widespread support from members of both chambers. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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A bill to allow civil unions in Colorado is poised for a showdown in the Republican controlled house on the final days of the state’s legislative session. The measure narrowly cleared two Republican house committees by one vote, but still faces one more committee hearing before it can head to the full floor for [...]

A measure to allow civil unions in Colorado cleared its first hurdle in the Republican controlled house judiciary committee. Many in the audience say they were shocked when the same committee that defeated the bill last year moved it forward. The measure passed when one Republican lawmaker switched her vote from no to yes. But [...]

A bill to create a legal standard in Colorado for driving under the influence of marijuana initially cleared the state senate on Tuesday. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Denver was the location for a U.S. Congressional field hearing on hydraulic fracturing on Wednesday. Panelists and members of Congress debated whether the fracking process is safe, and if federal regulations would be over-reaching. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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About two-dozen victims of the Lower North Fork Fire were at the state capitol on Monday, as  lawmakers debated a bill that would create a commission to compensate them above  current state requirements. The Republican proposal has push back from Governor Hickenlooper, and some Democrats. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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The end of the state’s legislative session is just around the corner, and several big issues will be decided in the final few days. As part of our capitol conversation series, Bente Birkeland talks to statehouse reporters about the agenda, and what items could be headed for the chopping block.

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The state senate held a spirited debate this Friday morning on the balance between access to healthcare and religious freedom. Lawmakers discussed a resolution urging Congress to create a right of conscience exemption in the federal healthcare law. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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