Rep. Ryan Gonzalez

Maddy summaryHJR 25-1013 is a symbolic joint resolution honoring Colorado veterans who served in World War II on the 80th anniversary of the war's end. It recognizes the service of approximately 250,000 Coloradans who served during 1941-1945, including over 3,500 who died in action, and specifically references Colorado's military units like the 10th Mountain Division and the 157th Infantry Regiment. The resolution encourages support for commemorating this anniversary but does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations. As a procedural resolution, it serves only to express legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryHJR 25-1016 is a Colorado legislative resolution honoring veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War (1990-1991), including three Coloradans who died in combat. It formally acknowledges their service, honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, expresses gratitude to families of fallen service members, and encourages all Coloradans to remember their sacrifices. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition through the Colorado General Assembly. It was passed unanimously by both chambers of the state legislature in early 2025.

Current law allows any individual to deduct amounts, up to certain caps based on the individual's age, received as pensions or annuities from any source, to the extent included in federal adjusted gross income. Notwithstanding the caps on the deduction for amounts received as pensions or annuities from other sources, current law allows any individual who is 65 years of age or older at the close of a taxable year to subtract the total amount of social security benefits that the individual received from the individual's federal taxable income, to the extent those benefits were included in federal taxable income, when determining the individual's state taxable income. Beginning January 1, 2025, this subtraction is also allowed to any individual who is 55 years of age or older and has an adjusted gross income for the applicable tax year that is less than or equal to $75,000 if filing individually or $95,000 if filing jointly. For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, the bill removes all caps on the deduction for amounts received as pensions and annuities and allows any individual, regardless of age or income, to subtract the total amount that the individual received as pension or annuity income from the individual's federal taxable income, to the extent that income was included in federal taxable income, when determining the individual's state taxable income. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The 2024 general appropriations act is amended to balance and make adjustments to the total amount appropriated to the department of military and veterans affairs. The total amount appropriated to the department is increased. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The 2024 general appropriations act is amended to balance and make adjustments to the total amount appropriated to the department of public safety. The general fund and cash funds portions of the appropriation are increased and the reappropriated funds and federal funds portions are decreased. The 2023 general appropriations act is amended to balance and make adjustments to the total amount appropriated to the department of public safety. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act transfers all the unexpended and unencumbered money in the financial literacy and exchange (FLEX) fund to the general fund on June 30, 2025, and repeals the FLEX program on July 1, 2025. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The general assembly recognizes that for the 2024-25 budget year, the actual funded pupil count is higher than anticipated when the appropriation was established in the 2024 legislative session for total program funding for the 2024-25 budget year. In addition, local property tax revenue and specific ownership tax revenue are lower than anticipated, resulting in a decrease in the local share of total program funding for the 2024-25 budget year. The act declares the general assembly's intent to increase the state share of districts' total program funding by $64,076,611 for the 2024-25 budget year. The act adjusts a repeal date for the total program reserve fund. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The bill grants a person who is at least 18 years of age and permitted to possess a handgun pursuant to federal and state law the same authority to carry a concealed handgun as a person who holds a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permit). A person who carries a concealed handgun without a permit has the same rights, limitations, and authority to carry as a person who holds a permit. A person may obtain a permit for the purpose of using the permit to carry a concealed handgun in another state that recognizes a Colorado permit. The bill makes the minimum age to obtain a permit 18 years of age. Under existing law, Colorado recognizes permits issued in other states that meet certain criteria, including that the holder of the out-of-state permit is at least 21 years of age. The bill changes the minimum age for recognition of an out-of-state permit to 18 years of age. Under existing law, a permit is valid for 5 years. The bill makes a permit valid for the life of the permit holder. Existing permits, other than temporary emergency permits, are converted to lifetime permits. Because the bill makes permits valid for the life of the holder, the bill repeals provisions relating to the renewal of permits. The bill repeals the temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill repeals local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry of a handgun, including repealing the authority of special districts and the governing boards of institutions of higher education, as applicable. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) designating September 14-20, 2025, as "Co-Responder Units and Behavioral Health Crisis Professionals Week" in Colorado. It honors professionals who work alongside law enforcement in crisis situations involving mental health or substance use, recognizing their role in de-escalating emergencies and connecting individuals to resources like counseling and housing. The resolution expresses legislative appreciation for their service but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes.

Maddy summarySJR 25-007 is a ceremonial resolution proclaiming February 14 as "Colorado Read to Your Child Day." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about the importance of reading aloud to children for early literacy development. The resolution cites research linking early reading exposure to future academic success and reduced educational disparities. This resolution directly affects Colorado residents by designating an annual observance to encourage family reading habits, without implementing any concrete policy changes.