Multiple legislative sources told 9News that Governor Jared Polis is expected to announce a special session of the Colorado legislature this Wednesday. While his office insists no final decision has been made, lawmakers are already prepping for yet another “extraordinary session,” which is starting to look more like an annual tradition than an emergency maneuver.
The trigger? A nearly $1 billion shortfall in Colorado’s state budget, courtesy of federal tax policy changes baked into a July 4 budget bill signed by President Trump. Or at least that’s what the Dems will blame it on. While details are still TBD, the special session is expected to center on patching the budget hole, likely through a mix of spending cuts, piggy bank raids, and – surprise, surprise – “closing tax loopholes” to make sure you and your business pay just as much to the state, even if you get a break from the feds.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Special session announcement expected Wednesday: Multiple lawmakers confirm Polis is gearing up for another “extraordinary session,” the third in three years.
- $1 billion budget shortfall: Thanks to federal tax changes (at least they’ll blame Trump and not their out-of-control spending), Colorado’s revenue outlook took a nosedive, despite a booming economy.
- Scope still undecided: Polis hasn’t finalized what the session will include, but budget patches and tax code tweaks are on the short list.
- Loopholes on the chopping block: Lawmakers are expected to “decouple” state tax law from federal relief to keep revenue flowing into Denver’s coffers.
- Brace for cuts, or taxes, or both: The rest of the shortfall will be made up with agency cuts, rainy-day funds, or – you guessed it – new costs to you.
My Bottom Line
The Scott Sheet has been warning you about this “special session” for weeks. And now, here we are, surprise! Polis is about to call lawmakers back under the gold dome, and if history’s a guide, the taxpayer is the one who should be worried.
Let’s review: special sessions are supposed to be narrow in scope. They’re called when there’s an urgent need, not just when the governor feels like tuning up the budget with some ideological fiddling. But since when has a pesky thing like the law ever stopped Polis or his majority?
Don’t let the “closing tax loopholes” language fool you. That’s code for: “We’re going to make sure the savings you just got from the federal government never touch your wallet.” And if they can’t claw it back through tax code trickery? Get ready for “budget cuts” that always seem to hit schools and roads – never pet projects or DEI consultants.
Hold on to your wallets. The special session is coming, and the only thing “extraordinary” about it is how often this governor reaches for more of your money.
