[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6287565,"mediaKeyId","2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3","parentId",2549856,"title","Senate trims one legislative cash fund item but rejects larger rollbacks after hours-long budget fight","audioSeconds",6530,"startMs",4818000,"endMs",11348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3&start=4818&end=11348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3/thumbnail_4818000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287565/Colorado/Senate-trims-one-legislative-cash-fund-item-but-rejects-larger-rollbacks-after-hours-long-budget-fight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287565-fcc8e4816163daac3551628ec5d8e625/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913836&Signature=bRAUPTwz6hvi-f6Ag1dDr~jYbW1Jjg-2aFm1R~9CAWUBHzymB89QT9hCCerZMLc1eHxE5zrLI0nEurUO9b7xoazZgIJR0ytCohOeX~hN75neOTlf2YT1cz3cMlgNqzKhpgZLpPHpWQOjkyQBIznGtpj14WpE1T2FubndwrRvLi5QJlLBS98kZlCZVZN~q5NykrhkElVMLra2Oe4Qko6GD1tH2PtQQEGxrt3M3N17hErBHEz1E8Kcz7JFoIrtAkwhRgNuqh9QQCCHXUMrlkOgnt4MeouMCepvCsWCqTnoJIbt4Bfmwp7Z-TRUSUWCawcAAz9qWRgXr6UdsOBaeEFdfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Legislature","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Senate debate on March 11 over the legislative department appropriation (Senate Bill 188) became the chamber’s longest single-topic budget fight of the day, touching on cash fund reversions, capital renovations and competing priorities for Medicaid, child welfare and early intervention services.

Senator Dylan Coleman and the Appropriations Committee presented SB 188 as the annual legislative-branch appropriations bill, covering staff and operating costs for Legislative Council, Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS), Legislative Audit, Joint Budget Committee staff, and other legislative entities. The committee reported a technical amendment (a corrected FTE) and recommended passage.

Senator Cindy Kirkmeyer moved a floor amendment (L007) to reduce the ongoing general fund appropriation by $3.5 million, proportionally reducing each legislative office’s appropriation by the share of prior-year reversions. Proponents said the legislature should lead by example while other state programs face deep cuts; they repeatedly cited recent reversions of approximately $5.5 million in general fund appropriations into a legislative cash fund. Supporters framed L007 as a modest, responsible cut in a year of projected statewide deficits.

Opponents, including leaders of the legislative branch’s executive committee and some appropriators, said many of the cash fund balances are set aside for planned projects (technology upgrades, ADA work, capital renovation planning) and that transfers or reversions should be handled carefully. They argued several of the cash fund items are for multi-year projects and that the proposed sweep could impair planned work and staff support. The executive committee noted prior transfers into and out of the fund (including a pandemic-era diversion) and asked legislators to vote no on the larger sweeps.

Several related amendments were offered: L006 (a larger sweep), L008 (prohibiting reversions), and L010 (cutting a single ongoing FTE tied to one-time funding). Senator Kirkmeyer’s L007 failed on division after extended floor speeches and a requested roll-call; other larger-sweep amendments also failed. The body then adopted a narrower change: Amendment L011, a $1 million reduction from the legislative department cash fund, which passed and was recorded as adopted. The final committee report and subsequent actions reflected smaller adjustments rather than the large $3.5 million cut Kirkmeyer had sought.

Floor debate repeatedly juxtaposed the legislative cash fund balance (discussed in the transcript as approximately $22 million with an $11.6 million unencumbered portion after planned expenses) against proposed cuts elsewhere in the state budget: reported governor’s proposals to reduce Medicaid provider rates by roughly $13 million general fund ($57 million total funds) and reported shortfalls for child welfare and early childhood programs. Senators supporting cuts emphasized optics and leadership; opponents cautioned about disrupting planned capital and technology projects or depriving the branch of necessary resources.

Outcome-oriented motions recorded on the floor include multiple roll calls and the adoption or rejection of the amendments above. The committee report on SB 188 ultimately moved forward with the smaller $1 million adjustment to the legislative department cash fund and other technical changes; the bill advanced in the legislative calendar as amended.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colorado Senate 2025 Legislative Day 063 (2025-03-11)","oneSentenceSummary","A prolonged floor fight over the legislative branch budget (Senate Bill 188) ended March 11 with the Senate adopting a narrow $1 million reduction to a legislative cash fund but rejecting larger proposals to sweep millions back to the general fund.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Colorado","taxId",15007,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287571,"Senate passes bill to expand abortion coverage to Medicaid and public plans after heated debate and failed amendment",1509,2267000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3&start=2267&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3/thumbnail_2267000.jpg","/articles/6287571/Colorado/Senate-passes-bill-to-expand-abortion-coverage-to-Medicaid-and-public-plans-after-heated-debate-and-failed-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287571-f77882d6c9c6ea2e5a63b9cfa094c8b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913836&Signature=TBp71dl3rJhXi-RRD6OhbJnKjLsVbLDxblbmhhBbGLojyYJK~s9akwJAD8OnZK~mLKeOt~yw2OBXVvKsCOhNrOjDHbUaCEhrc4IkABQEnT3-sbXBIkjdoN2YPMf9hR6jkRlyxRHhdCmfRKdQpJIQ5KTciYGGkfRUtvpP6pKcergUIY5wGDbE88rR1LoK1Xa4Ut66eAz21NO-D6FZCGq~mci93SIOOoJL91zmNCmccP6R8o7~hug7dazeiMHQLj~YOUbGNNuqRrM0BOOE3xQQ6J6BoupoeQjuu8aFIM5kEGMXe-VrNzwYrDXbxFKjQEwLleMuu484C~7KLnv-vVAvww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colorado Senate on March 11 passed Senate Bill 183, which directs the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and public employee insurance plans to cover abortion care services for eligible enrollees. Majority Leader Angela Rodriguez moved the bill with supporting committee reports from Appropriations and Judiciary, and senators debated funding and conscience-related concerns before the body approved the measure.

Supporters said the bill implements Amendment 79 — approved by voters in November — by removing financial barriers to access. Senator Kevin Doherty, a sponsor and floor proponent, said the bill “implements the will of the voters” by ensuring Medicaid enrollees and state employees can obtain abortion care regardless of income or employment status.

Opponents argued the statute goes beyond what voters intended and amounts to a state-funded mandate. Senator Faith Bridal (opposing) said Amendment 79 permitted coverage but did not authorize the state to require public plans to pay for abortion services, and she pressed the Senate to adopt an amendment that would change mandatory language (“shall”) to permissive language (“may”). Senator Bridal and other opponents also cited the fiscal note and warned of higher Medicaid and insurance costs if the state is required to pay for these services.

An amendment (L002) to replace “shall” with “may,” offered on the floor to make coverage permissive, failed. Senator Daniel Bright moved the amendment, arguing it would respect voters’ permissive language and conscience objections; supporters of the bill opposed the change, saying it would frustrate the voter-approved goal of removing barriers. The amendment did not pass and was recorded as failed on the floor.

After debate, the Senate adopted the bill. Sponsors and backers framed it as restoring and securing access to reproductive health services for low-income Coloradans and state employees. Opponents emphasized conscience and fiscal concerns, including potential upward pressure on insurance premiums and Medicaid spending; several senators said they would vote against the bill for those reasons. The final voice vote resulted in passage of SB 183.

Because the bill directs coverage under Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus and public employee plans, its implementation will involve the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and plan administrators. The Appropriations Committee reported that ongoing funding and appropriations language were included in committee action; the committee noted the bill’s funding mechanics during floor remarks but the fiscal note—cited repeatedly in debate—was the subject of disagreement about scope and projected cost.

The Senate’s action sends the measure to the next steps prescribed by statute for enactment. The transcript shows the principal floor actions were: (1) motion to adopt the committee reports and move the bill forward; (2) a floor amendment (L002) to change mandatory coverage language to permissive, which failed; and (3) final passage by the Senate.","The Colorado Senate passed Senate Bill 183 on March 11, 2025, a measure directing state programs and public employee plans to cover abortion care; an amendment to make coverage permissive rather than required failed after extended floor debate focused on fiscal and conscience concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287561,"Votes at a glance: key measures the Colorado Senate passed March 11, 2025",211,1346000,1557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3&start=1346&end=1557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549856-f22d4aad47ab24cca2d55def53d848f3/thumbnail_1346000.jpg","/articles/6287561/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-key-measures-the-Colorado-Senate-passed-March-11-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287561-0613d9b3215d591d8bb0c18463e7d8c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770913836&Signature=A2OdUSgNXEP9xDrkvBifV6LafohWhTXX0f0fnjhRFVRT60kIPleBDYDCJiVKqAZG~qu0MNSShUwzY8PuhYDlbLL-MgaS6xzgysAVt32Ujypr0Y2Z5CIjoORF3BfeUR40HK5YCG-aqCdngQyuGaicsZuWjuDOJvTG40F5AAFlKnYj3Rq1yBCRZtya4lRg3aMG8QZqUs3qY2LIY-KMSjMFunkbEPVi-QVuKKz3kl2ddeP4HW5Xhr2jSvYxOkgQhlDo68SCJ9z09Y7fqpzPcwsH81qvMkBeoIIlAf~blPQKq4eKHbIDGazHWMh4zGm~M6x5IdPdwMd2R2PAYb4-~yQlzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colorado Senate recorded final actions or third-reading votes on several bills March 11, 2025. Below are the measures recorded as passed during the session, with the outcome and any vote tallies reported in the transcript. Where the transcript does not provide a full numerical tally or named roll-call, the entry notes that the precise count was not specified on the floor record.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 1009 (third reading, final passage): Concerning a vegetative fuel mitigation program for a district providing fire protection services. Passed. Recorded tally on the floor: 23 ayes, 11 no’s, 0 absent, 0 excused, 1 vacant. (Mover: Senator Hendrickson.)

- Senate Bill 154 (third reading, final passage): Enhancing access to educator pathways. Passed. Recorded tally on the floor: 25 ayes, 9 no’s, 0 absent/excused, 1 vacant. (Mover: Senator Kipp.)

- Senate Bill 183 (third reading, final passage): Coverage for certain pregnancy-related services (Medicaid/public plans). Passed on voice vote; the transcript records floor passage but does not provide a numeric roll-call tally for final passage. (Mover: Majority Leader Angela Rodriguez.)

- Senate Bill 188 (legislative department appropriations): Passed after consideration of committee report and multiple floor amendments; several amendments were adopted or rejected on the floor (see separate coverage). The transcript records the committee report and adoption of some amendments; exact final numeric tally for passage on third reading is not specified in the provided segment.

- House Bill 1063 (House bill 1063 in transcript listed as “House bill 10 63”): Concerning lawful use of crystalline polymorph psilocybin if FDA-approved. Passed on the floor; the transcript records adoption but does not provide a numeric roll-call tally.

- House Bill 1025 (House bill 10 25 in transcript): Concerning the state stockpile of emergency materials and expanding distribution circumstances. Passed on the floor; transcript records passage (tally not specified).

- Senate Bill 83 (limitations on restrictive employment agreements): Passed following committee reports and floor discussion; transcript notes passage (tally not specified).

- Senate Bill 81 (public financing and the Building Urgent Infrastructure and Leveraging Dollars Authority): Passed. The transcript records a floor vote and passage (tally not specified in the provided excerpt).

- Senate Bill 147 (PERA board management and transparency changes): Passed after technical amendments; transcript records adoption and passage (tally not specified).

Recordkeeping note: The Senate frequently used voice votes for final passage on some measures; where a roll-call tally was read into the record, it is included above. For other measures the transcript records adoption but does not print a numerical tally. If a precise vote count is required for a particular bill for official records, refer to the Senate Journal or the Secretary of the Senate certified vote logs for March 11, 2025.

What to watch next

Several bills that advanced on second reading were laid over to later dates (e.g., House Bill 1093/10 93 laid over to March 13; Senate Bill 160 laid over to March 14). The legislative-appropriations process and the long-bill calendar remain active, and measures with fiscal implications will continue through committee and floor stages over the next weeks.","On March 11 the Colorado Senate passed multiple bills, including measures on vegetative fuel mitigation, educator pathways, psilocybin research pathways and more. This roundup lists each item the transcript records as passed on the floor and notes available vote tallies or where the tally was not specified on the record.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate trims one legislative cash fund item but rejects larger rollbacks after hours-long budget fight

Senate passes bill to expand abortion coverage to Medicaid and public plans after heated debate and failed amendment

Votes at a glance: key measures the Colorado Senate passed March 11, 2025