Colorado's legislative session typically runs from January to May.
The typical timeline for a bill to become law is 6 – 8 weeks, but can move as quickly as 2-3 weeks.
How a law is created –
1. A member of Colorado's House or Senate will submit a bill that they want to become a law to the Colorado General Assembly during the legislative session.
2. A bill generally either creates a new law, amends existing law, or repeals a law. Another kind of bill is an appropriations bill, which is generally effective for one year and helps fund state departments, agencies, and institutions.
3. When a proposed bill is introduced, it is given a number. Senate bills start with the number 1. House bills are numbered from 1001.
4. All bills have a sponsor. Each bill must have a House sponsor and a Senate sponsor. Some bills have joint prime sponsors in the House or Senate. These sponsors shoulder the major responsibility for explaining the bill to their colleagues and moving it through the legislative process.
5. Bills are written so that changes to the law can be readily identified.
6. Each bill contains a brief but comprehensive title. The state constitution requires that a bill contain only one subject, which must be clearly expressed in its title. A bill title can be amended (or changed) as the bill progresses, as long as an amendment does not broaden the title.
7. Bills have different names, or versions, depending on where they are in the legislative process.
8. The General Assembly limits, by rule, the number of bills a member may introduce during a legislative session. The rule provides that members may introduce no more than five bills,
excluding appropriation bills.
9. A bill will go through hearings, votes and testifying in the applicable committees below.
House Committees – The State of Colorado currently has 10 House Committees.
House Agriculture, Live Stock and Natural Resources
House Appropriations
House Economic and Business Development
House Education
House Finance
House Health and Environment
House Judiciary
House Local Government
House State, Veterans and Military Affairs
House Transportation
Senate Committees - The State of Colorado currently has 10 Senate Committees. A bill will go through hearings, votes and testifying in the applicable committees below.
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources
Senate Appropriations
Senate Business, Labor and Technology
Senate Education
Senate Finance
Senate Health and Human Services
Senate Judiciary
Senate Local Government and Energy
Senate Sate, veterans, and Military Affairs
Senate Transportation
10. If the bill passes out of committee it will be debated by the entire General Assembly.
11. If changes are made to the bill, it will go back to committee
12. Once the amendments (if any) are added to the bill, it goes back to the General Assembly for a second reading, debate and vote.
13. The bill will pass or fail at the third reading by the entire General Assembly. If the bill passes, it will become law.
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