Colorado Legislative Session Concludes; Ballot Issue on TABOR Refunds vs. School Funding; U.S. Forest Proposes Pitkin County Manage Maroon Bells Colorado’s 2026 legislative session ended on May 13, 2026, after lawmakers passed over 180 bills since the session began in January. Despite the deadline, more than 100 bills remained pending, including a major proposal aimed at countering a proposed November ballot initiative. The ballot measure, if approved, would enshrine transportation funding in the state constitution, directing more resources toward road and bridge maintenance. Democrats warned that this could divert funds from essential services like education and healthcare, which have faced repeated budget deficits. Lawmakers had until the end of the day to finalize their work, with the session’s conclusion marking the final opportunity to address key legislative priorities. A separate ballot issue set for November 2026 pits school funding against TABOR refunds. State lawmakers passed a bill to place the question on the ballot, with backers arguing that Colorado schools have been chronically underfunded for decades. Democratic Representative Jennifer Bacon of Denver, a key sponsor of the proposal, emphasized the dire state of education, stating, “We are woefully underfunded. We cannot provide our students and our educators the education they deserve.” The measure would allow the state to retain more tax revenue instead of distributing it as TABOR refunds, potentially increasing K-12 spending by approximately $500 million over two years. Bacon proposed using the funds to hire more educators, reduce class sizes, and equip students with modern resources. Meanwhile, the U.S.#us_forest_service #colorado_legislative_session #jennifer_bacon #maroon_bells_scenic_area #pitkin_county
