Sen. Byron Pelton

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.)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 25-006) commemorates the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It formally commends Colorado-based nonprofit Ukraine Power for delivering nearly $400,000 in aid to Ukrainians over the past three years, and expresses the Colorado Senate's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and efforts to achieve a just peace. The resolution has no binding policy impact - it is a symbolic gesture, not a legislative action, and directly affects Ukraine, Ukraine Power, and Colorado's Ukrainian community by acknowledging their efforts and shared values.

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.

Under current law, a landlord may initiate a no-fault eviction of a tenant if the tenant refuses to sign a new rental agreement with reasonable terms. The bill clarifies that, for purposes of determining whether a new rental agreement includes reasonable terms, a rent increase in the new rental agreement is reasonable if the landlord increases rent in view of fair market rent, as evidenced by the rental amount of comparable properties. Also under current law, a landlord is prohibited from increasing a tenant's rent in a discriminatory, retaliatory, or unconscionable manner. The bill clarifies that a rent increase is not discriminatory, retaliatory, or unconscionable if the landlord provides evidence showing that the rent increase is in line with fair market rent, as evidenced by the rental amount of comparable properties. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

For the purpose of reducing transportation costs, the bill repeals the following fees, effective July 1, 2025: The road usage fee imposed by the state and the bridge and tunnel impact fee imposed by the statewide bridge and tunnel enterprise that are imposed on the purchase of each gallon of taxed gasoline and special fuel; The fee imposed by the state on short-term motor vehicle rentals; The passenger per-ride fees imposed on car share rides by the state, the clean fleet enterprise, and the nonattainment area air pollution mitigation enterprise; and The waste tire enterprise fee imposed on the purchase of new motor vehicle and trailer tires by the waste tire management enterprise. Because this fee is the only source of revenue for the waste tire management enterprise, the bill also repeal the enterprise. The bill also requires the nonattainment area air pollution mitigation enterprise, no later than January 1, 2026, to establish a reformulated gasoline cost stabilization program to offer reformulated gasoline cost stabilization rebates to individuals who own motor vehicles that are registered in counties in which the federal government requires all gasoline sold to be reformulated gasoline. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The bill makes it a level 1 drug felony if a person manufactures, dispenses, sells, or distributes, or possesses with intent to do the same, (manufactures or distributes) any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains fentanyl, carfentanil, benzimidazole opiate, or an analog thereof (qualifying controlled substance). Because manufacture or distribution of any amount of a qualifying controlled substance is a level 1 drug felony under the bill, the bill repeals penalty level provisions involving manufacture or distribution of a qualifying controlled substance that are weight- or circumstance-dependent, and related immunity and sentencing requirements. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill makes the possession of a qualifying controlled substance a level 4 drug felony. The bill repeals the following provisions of law related to the penalties for possessing a qualifying controlled substance: A provision that reduces the penalty if the fact finder in the case finds that the possessor made a reasonable mistake of fact and did not know that the material, compound, mixture, or preparation contained fentanyl, carfentanil, benzimidazole opiate, or an analog thereof; and A provision that requires a court to vacate the drug felony conviction and enter a conviction for a level 1 drug misdemeanor upon the defendant's successful completion of a community-based sentence to probation or to a community corrections program.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Colorado. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of the significance of Black history and contributions to Colorado and the nation. The resolution references historical milestones, including Black laborers, community builders, and civil rights efforts in Colorado, to underscore the importance of this observance. It affects all Coloradans by formally designating the month for recognition and education.