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3 things to know as divided Colorado Legislature gets to work

DENVER — The speeches are over. The ceremonies have finished. And it’s time for Colorado lawmakers to get down to business.

Legislative leaders opened the 2015 session with calls for bipartisanship — a refrain that’s repeated every year — but with Democrats controlling the House and Republicans holding the Senate, they’ll face a difficult time agreeing on major issues. Here are some expected fights:

— TAX REFUNDS: Democrats want to keep tax surpluses required to be refunded to voters under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, but Republicans are staunchly against the idea. The rebates might not be for large sums, but “Republicans believe that the people can spend their money better than government can,” said House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso. Refunds are required when revenue collected exceeds a formula of inflation and population growth. With Colorado’s growing economy, the refunds could happen as soon as this spring.

— RENEWABLE ENERGY: Republicans want to roll back the renewable energy mandates on rural electricity providers that Democrats passed two years ago when they controlled both chambers of the Legislature. DelGrosso said the renewable-energy law stifles rural economies and kills jobs. But the Democrats aren’t budging. House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst has said she has no desire to strike legislation passed when she and her colleagues were in the majority.

— GUNS: Republicans also want to strike Democrat-sponsored gun-control measures and introduced bills to repeal a law that limits the size of ammunition magazines to 15 rounds and a requirement for background checks on firearms sold online and between private sellers. The gun-control legislation Democrats passed in 2013 came at a great political cost, leading the recall of two state senators. A third resigned while a recall effort was in place. It’s unlikely that Democrats will allow repeal efforts to advance without a fight.

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Ivan Moreno can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/ivanjourno and Kristen Wyatt can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/APkristenwyatt

State Rep. Kit Roupe, a Republican from Colorado House District 17, applauds other legislators on her first day in the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Senate President Bill Cadman lights a candle in honor of Claire Davis, a high school student who was killed last year in a school shooting at Arapahoe High School. Cadman was sworn in as the president on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Republicans took control of the senate during the November elections. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Rep. Kit Roupe, a Republican from Colorado House District 17, was meeting and greeting other legislators on her first day in the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Representative Dan Nordberg’s young daughter, Anna, showed signs of being a budding photojournalist by trying to take over the documenting of the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Nordberg had his wife, Maura Nordberg, and daughter sit with him during the first day. Nordberg is a Republican from House District 15. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Democrat State Sen. Michael Merrifield and State Representative Pete Lee (left to right) sit together during a joint session on the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Senator Bill Cadman from Colorado Springs is the new Senate President. He speaks on his first day in office on Wednesday, January 7, 2014. Cadman is the first Republican Senate President in 10 years. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Representative Janak Joshi greets a friend during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Janak Joshi is a Republican representing House District 16. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Sen. Kent Lambert had his grandson, Michael Lambert, at his side as they say listen to “The Star Spanged Banner” on the first day of legislation at the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Colorado State Representative Gordon Klingenschmitt looks up into the balcony during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Klingenschmitt is a Republican representing House District 15. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Colorado State Representative Gordon Klingenschmitt during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Klingenschmitt is a Republican representing House District 15. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Colorado State Representative Gordon Klingenschmitt talks to one of his fellow representatives during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Klingenschmitt is a Republican representing House District 15. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Sen. Michael Merrifield (center) is sworn into office as a senator from District 11 in El Paso County during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Senator Michael Merrifield poses with Colorado Chief Justice Nancy Rice after being sworn in on the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Rep. Lois Landgraf kisses her grandson, Michale Landgraf on the head after being sworn in on the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Landgraf is a Republican from House District 21 and had her grandson and husband, Jim Landgraf (top) at her side for the first day. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Senate President Bill Cadman gives a big hug to outgoing Senate President Morgan Carroll during the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. For the first time in 10 year, the president of the senate is a Republican (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Rep. Terri Carver (left) talks to fellow State Rep. Stephen Humphries during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Carver is a Republican State Representative for House District 20. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Rep. Terri Carver (left) talks to fellow State Rep. Stephen Humphries during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Carver is a Republican State Representative for House District 20. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Representative Paul Lundeen works on some paperwork during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Lundeen is a Republican from House District 19. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

State Representative Paul Lundeen works on some paperwork during the first day of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Lundeen is a Republican from House District 19. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

(The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

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