Coronavirus In Colorado: State Legislature Plans Temporary Shut Down

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DENVER (CBS4)- State lawmakers are putting a plan in place to suspend the legislative session because of coronavirus. Leadership in both chambers and both parties met behind closed doors Thursday to try and figure out when and how it would happen.

Copter4 flew over the state Capitol (credit: CBS)

There are 48 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Colorado as of Thursday afternoon. Health experts have advised people to avoid large crowds.

Lawmakers said there are some bills they need to pass before they can recess. One of those bills addresses large gatherings at state party assemblies next week.

Speaker of the House, KC Becker, put the bill on a fast track Thursday. It's one of a handful of must pass-bills leadership is rushing in preparation for a temporary shut down.

"This isn't like just canceling school or canceling an event. We just have to make sure we're thinking through bills that we must pass and we're thinking through what we must do to go into recess in a responsible way," said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett.

Garnett said the new bill allows the state parties to change how they vote on which candidates make the primary ballot in races like U.S. Senate. Unless it passes, party members have to vote in person at assemblies.

"They're going be gathering in schools, they're going to be gathering in classrooms and that is just ripe for the spread of coronavirus," said Garnett.

Legislative hearings are also areas ripe for the spread of the virus. Minority Leader Patrick Neville says suspending the legislative session is not just about protecting people's health but their ability to testify on bills.

"It's really just about making sure the public has a chance to weigh in and I don't think the public does feel safe at this point in time coming into this Capitol building," said Neville.

The timing of the temporary recess, Speaker Becker notes, is tricky. The constitution requires the legislature to pass a budget and school finance act and they can't do either until the economic forecast comes out next week.

"We just have to make sure we're addressing all the sort of legal, constitutional and other concerns that we have as a legislature," said Becker.

The constitution limits the legislative session to 120 days. Because suspending business is so extraordinary, lawmakers are asking the Colorado Supreme Court to rule on whether the clock stops when they recess or whether the 120 days continue to count down.

If time does run out, Governor Polis could call a special session later this year, but lawmakers would still likely have to finish the budget and school finance act by May 6th.

Additional Information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, use hand-sanitizer; use your elbow or sleeve to cover coughs and sneezes
Stay home if you're sick; keep your children home if they are sick. The illness can last for many days so make preparations now to work from home if possible.
We advise Coloradans to always be prepared for an emergency-- like a large snowstorm-- and have a plan for your family. Make sure to have 72 hours of key supplies on hand like medications, infant formula, diapers, pet food, etc. FEMA guidance for pre-pandemic COVID-19 preparedness is available on Ready.gov.
Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information. People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019, can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email COHELP@RMPDC.org, for answers in English and Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more.

Colorado Legislature