House adopts resolution to convene joint session for judiciary message; schedules State of the State joint session and security sweep

The Colorado House of Representatives adopted House Joint Resolution 1002, authorizing a joint session to hear a message from the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.

Majority Leader moved the resolution onto the floor, and the motion passed on a recorded tally with 58 votes in favor, six members excused and one vacancy recorded. Members were then briefed on a separate joint session for the governor’s State of the State address and instructed to clear the chamber for a security sweep before returning with special identification.

“I move for the adoption of house joint resolution 25 dash 1002. This is the resolution allowing for the joint session to hear the state of the judiciary message from the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court tomorrow, January 10th. The resolution is printed and in your files,” Majority Leader said while moving adoption. The title of the resolution was read aloud by the chief clerk before the vote.

Clerk Mister Schiebel read the title of House Joint Resolution 1002. The House machine was opened for a recorded vote; Representatives Caldwell and De Graaf were recorded voting yes after a brief video/connection issue. The chamber later announced: “With 58, 6 excused, and 1 vacant, the resolution is adopted.” The transcript records no recorded no votes or abstentions on the final tally.

Members were also told that a separate joint session for the governor’s State of the State would take place at 11 a.m. and that the chamber and gallery must be cleared temporarily so state patrol could perform a security sweep. “You will find a yellow landlord lanyard on your desk. State patrol has asked us to wear these lanyards in addition to your name badges as a secondary form of identification,” Majority Leader said. He directed members to return to the chamber wearing the yellow lanyard no later than 10:45 a.m. The House then recessed until after the joint session by unanimous consent.

The House also identified a committee to escort the governor during the joint session, naming Representatives Lukens, Zocai and Sander to that role pursuant to a separate house joint resolution cited on the floor. The record lists the committee members but does not specify additional duties or follow-up reporting requirements in the transcript.

No substantive debate on the merits of the judiciary message or State of the State occurred on the House floor during the recorded segment; the item was procedural and logistical in nature. The meeting proceeded to recess to allow the scheduled joint session and security procedures to occur.