Overview of the Colorado Legislature

There are three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

To learn more, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/government-branches. 

Executive Branch:

The Executive Branch is overseen by the Governor. It also includes the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and the State Attorney General.

CDOR is part of the Executive Branch. 

The Governor serves as a check on the Legislative Branch and has the power to veto legislation.

Legislative Branch:

The Legislative Branch is the lawmaking power of the State and consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. The General Assembly, which refers to the Senate and House combined, meets annual, beginning in January and continuing for 120 days.

• Colorado House of Representatives: 65 state Representatives, elected for two-year terms, limited to four consecutive terms. The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House.

• Colorado Senate: 35 state Senators, elected to four-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. The presiding officer is the President of the Senate.

Judicial Branch:

In Colorado Judicial Branch is led by the Colorado Supreme Court, the State's court of last resort: its decisions are binding on all other Colorado state courts.

The Judicial Branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decide if laws violate the Constitution.

Judicial court rulings and opinions often shape the course of legislative discussion.

Special Sessions:

In addition to annual, 120-day regular legislative sessions, the Colorado General Assembly may conduct legislative business in special or extraordinary legislative sessions. 

• The Governor may convene a special session.

• The General Assembly may call itself into special session with written approval for at least two-thirds of the members.

For more information on the rules and procedures of a special session, please visit the General Assembly website: http://leg.colorado.gov/publications/frequently-asked-questions-concerning-special-legislative-sessions.