https://colorado.wiki/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Colorado_Legislative_ProcessColorado Legislative Process - Revision history2026-07-15T00:19:08ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.42.3https://colorado.wiki/index.php?title=Colorado_Legislative_Process&diff=3969&oldid=prevFrontRangeBot: Wedge rehab 2026-06-17: real-sourced civic-reference (leg.colorado.gov/Wikipedia), fact-checked, de-PBN2026-06-18T00:03:18Z<p>Wedge rehab 2026-06-17: real-sourced civic-reference (leg.colorado.gov/Wikipedia), fact-checked, de-PBN</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>The '''Colorado Legislative Process''' describes how a bill becomes law in Colorado through the Colorado General Assembly and the governor's office. The process reflects constitutional principles of bicameral representation, executive review, and democratic accountability.<br />
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== Bill Introduction ==<br />
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Bills in the Colorado General Assembly may originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, with the exception of revenue bills, which must originate in the House. This reflects the constitutional principle that appropriations originate in the legislative body closest to the people. Members of the General Assembly are limited to introducing five bills per regular legislative session, subject to exceptions for interim committee bills, resolutions, and appropriations bills.<br />
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Bills must be introduced early in the legislative session to meet strict procedural deadlines established by joint rules of both chambers.<br />
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== Committee Review ==<br />
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After introduction, bills are assigned to relevant standing committees for detailed examination. Committees hold hearings, debate the merits of proposed legislation, and vote on whether to advance the bill. Committees may recommend passage, rejection, or passage with amendments.<br />
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The General Assembly maintains standing committees focused on specific policy areas such as finance, transportation, education, health, and other major governmental functions.<br />
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== Floor Consideration ==<br />
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Bills approved by committee proceed to floor consideration in their chamber of origin. The chamber debates the measure, considers amendments from the full membership, and votes on passage. Colorado does not have a filibuster mechanism, so most bills require only a simple majority for passage.<br />
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== Second Chamber ==<br />
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Bills that pass the first chamber are then introduced in the second chamber, where they proceed through committee review and floor consideration. The second chamber may pass the bill as received, reject it, or pass it with amendments.<br />
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If the second chamber amends the bill substantially, it must return to the first chamber for consideration of amendments. If both chambers cannot reach agreement on the final text, the bill dies.<br />
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== Governor's Action ==<br />
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When both chambers pass an identical bill, it is sent to the Governor for action. The Governor may:<br />
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* '''Sign''' the bill, making it law<br />
* '''Veto''' the bill, returning it to the legislature<br />
* '''Pocket veto''' the bill by taking no action within a specified period after the legislative session ends<br />
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== Veto Override ==<br />
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If the Governor vetoes a bill, both chambers of the General Assembly may override the veto by voting to pass the bill again. A veto override requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers.<br />
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== Effective Date ==<br />
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Most bills include a "safety clause" stating that the act is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety; such bills take effect on the date specified in the act. Bills enacted without a safety clause take effect 90 days after the General Assembly adjourns, a window during which citizens may petition to refer the bill to a statewide vote.<br />
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== Referendum ==<br />
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Citizens of Colorado may petition to subject certain bills to a referendum vote before they take effect. This process allows the public to directly approve or reject legislation that was not enacted with a safety clause.<br />
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== Annual Legislative Sessions ==<br />
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The Colorado General Assembly meets annually in regular session beginning no later than the second Wednesday in January. Regular sessions are limited to 120 days. The Governor may call special sessions at any time, though special sessions are infrequent.<br />
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== See Also ==<br />
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* [[Colorado General Assembly]]<br />
* [[Colorado Executive Branch]]<br />
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{{#seo:<br />
|title=Colorado Legislative Process<br />
|description=How bills become law in Colorado through the General Assembly, committee review, floor votes, and gubernatorial action.<br />
|type=Article<br />
}}<br />
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[[Category:Colorado government]]<br />
[[Category:Colorado]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_General_Assembly|title=Colorado General Assembly|publisher=Wikipedia|access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref><br />
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Senate|title=Colorado State Senate|publisher=Wikipedia|access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref><br />
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leg.colorado.gov|title=Colorado General Assembly|publisher=Colorado Legislature|access-date=2026-06-17}}</ref><br />
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