5 Things To Know At The Colorado Statehouse This Week
DENVER (AP) — An inaugural celebration highlights the first full week of work for the Colorado Legislature. Here's a look at what to expect:
HICKENLOOPER TAKES CENTER STAGE
Last week lawmakers welcomed new leaders in the House and Senate and showed off their renovated chambers. This week, the attention goes to Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, who will be sworn in for a second term Tuesday.
THE CEREMONY
Four years ago, Hickenlooper walked from his former office (the Denver mayor's office) across Civic Center Park to the Capitol steps to begin his new job. For his second term, Hickenlooper just has to walk out of his Capitol office for an outdoor inaugural ceremony. The weather should be much warmer than the governor's initial swearing-in. Temperatures should be in the 30s, downright balmy compared to the 10-degree inaugural ceremony in 2011.
THE PARTY CONTINUES
The governor isn't holding a formal inaugural ball. Instead, he's invited supporters to a $100-a-plate dinner Tuesday evening at the Fillmore Auditorium with the usual dress code for Colorado soirees — "dressy Western." After the dinner, Hickenlooper and supporters will enjoy a concert by acts including The Lumineers and The String Cheese Incident ($75, sold separately). The concert is sold out, but tickets remain for the dinner.
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
Hickenlooper has a day to recover from his festivities, then it's back to work. He addresses all 100 members of the Legislature Thursday in his annual "State of the State" address, where he'll lay out his agenda for a second term. Aides say to expect an agenda heavy on economic development and measures to help the long-term unemployed.
LAWMAKERS PICK UP SPEED
Most attention will be on the governor's agenda, but there will be plenty of action happening in the House and Senate, too. Expect lawmakers to start introducing more bills and angling to get their favorites scheduled for a first public hearing.
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