The Colorado Constitution, Article V

The Colorado Constitution is much longer and more detailed than the U.S. Constitution. The constitutional mechanics of moving a bill through the legislative process in Colorado are very different from the much looser processes in Congress. So too is the content of any particular bill. In addition, Colorado legislators are subject to all sorts of limitations that do not apply to U.S. Congresspeople; there is even a ban on vote trading. 

This course, presented by law professor David Kopel, describes how the Colorado legislature works under the state Constitution's Article V. The presentation is based on Kopel's textbook on Colorado constitutional law, and also on the 22 years that Kopel's father, Jerry Kopel, served in the Colorado House of Representatives. With this program, you will understand how the Colorado General Assembly really works.

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze the structure and operation of the Colorado General Assembly

2. Break down how the Colorado constitutional rules of law-making resemble and differ from the U.S. Constitution's rules for Congress

3. Review rules for appropriations and other special topics