The kickoff of the 2024 lawmaking session Wednesday at the Colorado Capitol was largely marked by the formalities and first-day cliches that come year after year with one deviation: pleas for civility.

In the House and Senate chambers packed with lawmakers and their families, caucus leaders addressed their colleagues, emphasizing a return to decorum after last year’s infighting and political discord that pushed two lawmakers to resign. 

“We were not sent here to shout at those we disagree with,” Senate President Steve Fenberg said.

In the House, Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said it was her first goal.

“My request is that we take a moment to consider what we say, how we speak to a bill and the words we choose to make our points,” she said. 

Wednesday morning, pro-Palestinian protestors halted House proceedings by shouting down at lawmakers, some of whom shouted back. Those protests, along with ongoing infighting within the Democratic caucus in the House, set the session off with a note of tension that typically takes months to build.

Just two days before the session began, McCluskie sent a letter to Rep. Elisabeth Epps reprimanding her for disruptive behavior during the special session. Epps had caused a delay in the chamber when she joined Palestinian protesters in the gallery and shouted down at Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican, who was speaking about his experience as a Jew in response to comments she made in support of Palestine. 

Epps did not attend the first day of the session in person and instead participated online. 

Policy focus areas

In their comments about policy, Fenberg and McCluskie focused on housing as one of Democrats’ top priorities.

“We did not accomplish everything we’d hoped for, but this year we will try again and deliver,” McCluskie said in a nod to last year’s defeat of Gov. Jared Polis’ sweeping land use bill.

McCluskie said there will be a package of bills focused on increasing the housing stock and making homes more affordable, including measures that would create a statewide housing assessment, promote accessory dwelling units (also known as mother-in-law suites) and boost multifamily housing near transit centers. She referenced another bill that would “incentivize local governments to preserve housing stock Coloradans can afford.”

Lawmakers will also work to find a long-term approach to keeping rising property taxes in the state at bay, Fenberg said in his speech. A task force, created during the special session, is expected to provide recommendations on a solution in mid-March.

Fenberg also mentioned improving the state’s transit, a goal he shares with Polis, during his speech. 

“This session, we must ensure Colorado gets its fair share of the federal infrastructure funds, and deliver the legacy of a modern, clean and safe transportation system for generations to come,” Fenberg said.