Colorado House Approves $46.8B State Budget After Delays

Lawmakers pass budget bill and 64 accompanying measures after four days of work, including debate over wolf reintroduction program funding.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:24pm

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A photorealistic painting of a state capitol building in warm, golden light, with deep shadows cast across the facade, conveying a sense of solemnity and gravity surrounding the political process.The Colorado state capitol stands as a silent witness to the legislative process, its stately architecture reflecting the weighty decisions made within its halls.Evergreen Today

The Colorado House of Representatives on Saturday approved the state's $46.8 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, along with 64 accompanying bills, after a four-day process that was delayed by a request to read the 661-page budget bill in full. The debate included an amendment to restrict funding for the state's wolf reintroduction program, which has faced challenges and opposition from some lawmakers and ranchers.

Why it matters

The passage of the state budget is a critical annual process that determines funding levels for key programs and services. The debate over the wolf reintroduction program highlights the ongoing tensions between environmental conservation efforts and the concerns of rural communities impacted by the wolf population.

The details

The budget process was delayed after Republican Rep. Brandi Bradley requested the full 661-page budget bill be read aloud, a process that took over 15 hours. The House ultimately passed an amendment to restrict $264,238 in general fund dollars from being used by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to acquire more wolves for the state's reintroduction program. Supporters of the amendment, including Republican Rep. Ty Winter and Democratic Rep. Megan Lukens, argued the program has been problematic for ranchers dealing with livestock losses. However, Democratic Rep. Tammy Story defended the program, saying the state has a financial obligation to fulfill the directives of the voter-approved Proposition 114 that mandated wolf reintroduction.

  • The House finished its work on the budget on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The reading of the 661-page budget bill was delayed from Wednesday to late Thursday and then resumed on Friday, taking over 15 hours to complete.

The players

Rep. Brandi Bradley

A Republican state representative from Roxborough Park who requested the full 661-page budget bill be read aloud, delaying the process.

Rep. Monica Duran

The Democratic House Majority Leader who managed the budget process and limited debate on the bill.

Rep. Ty Winter

A Republican state representative from Trinidad who offered an amendment to restrict funding for the wolf reintroduction program.

Rep. Megan Lukens

A Democratic state representative from Steamboat Springs who co-sponsored the amendment to restrict wolf reintroduction funding.

Rep. Julie McCluskie

The Democratic Speaker of the Colorado House whose district has seen significant livestock losses from wolves, and who supported the amendment to restrict wolf reintroduction funding.

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What they’re saying

“'I'd like to say to my ranchers that we're not using their taxpayer dollars to introduce more wolves into their backyards.'”

— Rep. Megan Lukens, Democratic state representative

“'What more can be done to ranchers?'”

— Rep. Ty Winter, Republican state representative

“'the reintroduction has not gone successfully nor without significant cost.'”

— Rep. Julie McCluskie, Democratic House Speaker

What’s next

The state budget package now moves to the Colorado Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

The debate over the state budget highlighted the ongoing tensions between environmental conservation efforts and the concerns of rural communities, particularly around the challenges of the wolf reintroduction program. The final budget reflects difficult tradeoffs as lawmakers work to balance the state's fiscal priorities.