Committee discusses options for convening date of 2027 General Assembly, defers decision

The executive committee discussed when the Colorado General Assembly should convene in 2027 and deferred a final decision, directing staff to return with options and any needed deadline adjustments.

Ed DeCicco, Director of the Office of Legislative Legal Services, told the committee that constitutional timing and the general election mean the General Assembly will likely need to convene before the second Wednesday in January. “Because we have a general election this year, … we recommend that the Colorado General Assembly convene prior to that date,” DeCicco said, explaining the second-Tuesday inauguration timing and the role of the speaker in opening and publishing statewide election results.

DeCicco outlined practical implications of starting earlier, including the effect on pre-file and long bill deadlines and the importance of the legislative council and OSPB forecast for budget work. He said the committee could consider January 6, 2027 (the first Wednesday) or other dates such as Jan. 8 or Jan. 11, each of which would require adjustments to deadlines in joint rule 23 or a resolution to move deadlines.

Members voiced differing preferences: some said an earlier start (Jan. 6) lets members begin and finish sooner and reduces conflicts for members with farm or out-of-town obligations; others favored starting later (Jan. 11) as a compromise that still avoids conflicts with inauguration logistics. The chief clerk and secretary noted calendar impacts at the end of session should be considered. DeCicco offered to explore whether pre-file deadlines could be shortened (for example, from five days to three or four) and to provide a resolution that would set dates and adjust deadlines depending on the option the committee selects.

There was no formal vote on a convening date at the meeting. The committee chair said the matter could be taken up at a future executive committee meeting after staff provides additional information and draft language for a resolution.

What comes next: staff will prepare more details about deadline adjustments and a draft resolution for the committee to consider when it takes the convening date up at a later meeting.