The Democratically controlled Colorado Legislature will tackle some heated topics in the coming months, including gun control, gay rights, and taxes.
The 2013 lawmaking session that begins Wednesday features dozens of new members in a Legislature now firmly in Democrats’ control. Democratic House Speaker Mark Ferrandino and Senate President John Morse say they’ll start with a focus on jobs and the recovering economy.
But lawmakers anticipate a quick acceleration to some highly emotional debates.
Democrats are expected to pass civil unions for same-sex couples, and they want to lower tuition for illegal immigrants who graduate from Colorado schools. They’ll also seek ways to curb access to firearms. Republicans want to explore armed security in more schools.
The Legislature is also likely to work on health care and school funding.
