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As Colorado legislative session winds down, property tax reform is still in the air, but progress on other fronts

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As Colorado legislative session winds down, property tax reform is still in the air, but progress on other fronts


For the second year in a row, the sounds of Cinco de Mayo echoed into the Capitol as lawmakers toiled on a Saturday to find common ground on proposed reforms to state land use and property tax policy.

The 120-day legislative session ends Wednesday, and lawmakers are still wrestling with some of the marquee proposals of the session, though with some breakthroughs on issues that had threatened to chew up valuable time — while other potential hot spots emerged.

The Senate passed Saturday a significantly narrowed ban on minimum parking requirements, one of the proposed land use reforms that emerged from the failure of last year’s omnibus proposal. The original bill had aimed to ban parking minimums throughout many of Colorado’s cities and suburbs. To tone down opposition, sponsor Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, a Pueblo Democrat, limited the ban just to areas along transit corridors. (Senators also ribbed Hinrichsen by offering an amendment that would remove his parking spot at the Capitol.)

“It will save a lot of money for builders, and they’ll be able to offer more product in the form of affordable housing, to actually build housing, as opposed to building parking and housing for folks that don’t necessarily want any parking,” Sen. Kevin Priola, a Henderson Democrat and bill sponsor, said.

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The proposal, House Bill 1304, will now need to return to the House for reconsideration. Meanwhile, two other major land use proposals — one to boost the number of accessory dwelling units through the state and another to increase density along transit corridors — still need to formally pass the Senate after passing the House. Some senators have raised concerns about both as possibly stepping on local control.

Meanwhile, lawmakers negotiating a proposed long-term reform to property taxes continued to run around the Capitol to find a deal in the waning days. It needs to be introduced on Monday at the latest to have enough time to clear the building before the end of the regular session — and stave off another potential special session on property tax.

In addition to filling a gap in tax policy left by the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment and giving property owners a break on rising property taxes, they’re trying to head off ballot initiatives that would severely cap property tax collections. Backers of the initiatives argue it’s about keeping the government from growing faster than paychecks and keeping homeowners solvent. But state officials, including some elected Republicans, warn it would lead to draconian cuts to state and local government services.

Parties on all sides of the negotiation say they’re closing in on a deal, but it is still being tuned — and not guaranteed.

“We’re pushing really hard,” said Dave Davia, president of Colorado Concern, a business group backing some of the initiatives, adding that they’re hoping for a legislative solution.

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Other priority bills for Democratic leadership continued apace Saturday.

The Senate formally passed a pair of bills to reduce emissions from oil and gas production and levy a per-barrel fee to pay for transit and wildlife habitat. The bills were introduced this week to ease simmering tensions between environmental groups, legislators and the industry and end dueling legislation and ballot initiatives affecting the industry. They will now go to the House for consideration.

Another bill, to put a 6.5% excise tax on guns and ammo in Colorado, also cleared a key Senate committee after concerns about its movement through the chamber boiled over into the public. The tax would raise an estimated $39 million a year and go to victim services and behavioral health programs.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus of Colorado publicly accused Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Thornton Democrat, of holding up the bill and threatening to kill it. He called the letter full of “falsehoods” and said the bill was merely going through standard amendment negotiations. He praised advocates and bill sponsors before voting yes on the bill in committee.

Meanwhile, the amended bill raised the hackles of Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, a Highlands Ranch Republican, because it removed school security as a possible use for the excise tax. He promised “vigorous” debate on the Senate floor if it isn’t replaced — a potent threat as lawmakers race against the Constitutionally required end of the session.

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Voters will also have the chance to remove defunct language in the Colorado Constitution defining marriage as between a man and woman, after the House approved a referred measure Saturday. It already cleared the Senate. Referred measures to amend the state Constitution need at least two-thirds support in each chamber to pass. It passed with bipartisan support in the Senate, but near party lines in the House, where Democrats hold a supermajority.

The proposed amendment would remove a ban approved by voters in 2006. It has been unenforceable since 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide with its ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. A majority of voters will need to approve the proposal this November for it to take effect.

Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.



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Colorado

Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation

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Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -After receiving dozens of reports, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is looking for an injured deer that has been tied up by red material.

Residents have spotted the deer in the Gleneagle neighborhood in North El Paso County.

According to CPW, a wildlife officer found it in a residential garage with a deep wound on its backside. They approached the deer before it ran away, and over a neighbor’s fence. CPW says they only intervene if there is a chance the animal will suffocate, strangle, struggle to eat, or see due to the entanglement.

As the holiday season is coming around, wildlife officers are also asking you to consider wildlife safety when decorating for the holidays, advising people not to put lights on trees or bushes.

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In a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they say in part, “Antlered animals like deer and elk naturally shed their antlers each winter, providing a passive way to shed an entanglement. Sedating, immobilizing and handling wild animals can cause stress and injury to the animal, so if there isn’t an immediate health concern, the animal is better off carrying the item instead of removing it.

Updated photos from the Gleneagle community on Monday showed red material around the deer’s front leg. Combined with the visible backside injury, this has increased CPW’s interest in locating this deer…Our officers will continue their efforts to ensure the safest possible response. “

If you spot the deer, you can report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at (719) 227-5200.



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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss

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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss


Deion Sanders was at a loss for words until he wasn’t.

Speaking to reporters after a one-sided, 36-20 loss to the Houston Cougars on the road on Saturday, the head coach described his reaction, simply saying he didn’t have much to say.

“It wasn’t good. I’m at a loss for words,” Sanders said, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the loss and the performance of his team. “No one could have told me that it was gonna turn out like this.”

Deion Sanders looks on against the Houston Cougars during the first half at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders has a lot to say. He just won’t. Not at the expense of his team.

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“Oh, Lord, thank you. I’m thanking God for not allowing me to say what I want to say,” Sanders said. “It wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all. I take full responsibility of the foolishness that went on out there that we tried to name football. We tried to call it football. It wasn’t that. We’ve got to do better in every phase of the game. We’ve got to do better preparing our kids. We’ve got to do better, period.”

In the loss, Colorado trailed just 16-14 at halftime before being outscored 20-6 by the Cougars, who rolled to the finish.


Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes speaks with Ryan Staub #16 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Deion Sanders speaks with Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders later added, “We’re not struggling. We’re getting our butts kicked. You don’t have to be polite with me. You don’t have to sugarcoat it.”

Colorado is just 1-2 on the year, with their only win over a cupcake opponent in Division I FCS foe Delaware, who the Buffaloes routed last week, 31-7.

In their season opener, Colorado dropped a close out to Georgia Tech at home, losing 27-20.

The Buffaloes will look to even their record at 2-2 with a win over Wyoming next week in their return home to Colorado.

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB