The Colorado Legislature (General Assembly) makes and revises laws for the state. The General Assembly is made up of two groups: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The people in these groups are known as 'citizen legislators' because they hold a variety of jobs, ranging from ranching to teaching, during the times they are not serving in the General Assembly. Senators are elected every four years and Representatives are elected every two years. The Constitution limits the number of consecutive terms legislators may serve.

Make or Change a Law

Legislators write a bill to make or change a law. The Colorado Legislature (General Assembly) Committee members carefully review each bill before deciding if it should be voted on by the Senate and House. Citizens may attend these review meetings; view or listen to them on the internet; and testify or give their opinions.

If more than one-half of the Senate and House votes for a bill, it is approved and sent to the Governor for review. If the Governor approves the bill, it becomes a law. If the Governor chooses to veto the bill, it is sent back to the legislature. The legislature can either choose to revise the bill and send it back to the Governor or they can override the Governor's veto with a two-thirds vote and the bill will become a law.

Legislators & Legislative Service Agencies

• Legislative directory
• Search for your legislator by ZIP code - Project Vote Smart
• District maps
• Legislative Council
• Legislative Legal Services
• Office of the State Auditor
• Joint Budget Committee
• Legislative calendar and schedule

Bills & Lawmaking

• Search legislative bills
• Check status of legislative bills
• Legislative process
• Colorado statutes
• Colorado session laws
• Digest of bills
• How a bill becomes a law
• Guidelines for public participation in a legislative hearing
• Ballot issues and initiatives
• Legislative rules
• Open meeting requirements - Colorado 'Sunshine Law'