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Things To Know At The Colorado Statehouse This Week

DENVER (AP) - Here's what will be keeping Colorado lawmakers busy this week:

BUDGET WRANGLING CONTINUES

The return of divided control means a return of intense budget tussles. The Democratic House and Republican Senate will continue a back-and-forth over small items in supplemental budget bills - especially GOP efforts to tackle state agency spending on gun background checks and driver's licenses for immigrants without legal presence. The budget jockeying is a preview of bigger fights to come over the yearly budget, with both parties angling to fund favored programs and cut others.

VOTING AND PHOTO ID

Democrats overhauled the state's election laws in 2013, much to the dismay of Republicans who raised a range of concerns. One of biggest issues of contention was allowing voters to register on Election Day. The GOP wants to require photo ID for same-day voter registration. Two bills in a House committee Wednesday tackle the issue, but they're both likely doomed in the Democrat-led committee.

JUVENILE SHACKLING

Lawmakers worried about shackles and restraints used on juvenile offenders want to change such policies in judicial districts. A proposal up for its first hearing in a House committee Tuesday would require changes to policies surrounding when juveniles can be shackled in court.

FREE PARK ADMISSION FOR VETS

Military veterans would get free admission to state parks for a three-day weekend before or after Veteran's Day annually with a bill making its way through the Senate. It has its first hearing there in a committee Wednesday. The bill has already cleared the House. Legislative staffers estimate that about 375,000 veterans in the state would be eligible for free admission to state parks.

PENSION DEBATE

Changes to the pension system for Colorado teachers and other government employees always touch off major debates. A GOP measure awaiting a final vote in the Senate this week would allow more state employees in the pension system to change how they invest for retirement by getting more control over their investments - in exchange for uncertain retirement payments. Republicans say the bill empowers state employees, but Democrats consider it an early attempt to start dismantling guaranteed pension payments.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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