Colorado Gov. Polis Calls Special Session With AI Law on the Agenda

Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez (D), who authored the law, said in a statement to Privacy Daily that he’s willing to listen to industry stakeholders who have so far been unwilling to negotiate. The lawmaker said he plans to prioritize the impact of federal spending cuts during the special session.

Colorado lawmakers in May discussed the possibility of extending the law’s enforcement date to January 2027 from February 2026, but with time running out in the regular session, Rodriguez tabled the legislative update (see 2505060033). Industry stakeholders told us Wednesday they will push for an enforcement date extension during the special session.

Polis said he’s calling the General Assembly back to address the “unexpected and immediate revenue shortage caused” by H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He listed the AI law below fiscal, healthcare and food security issues. Legislators will address the “fiscal and implementation impact of [the Colorado AI Act] on consumers, businesses and the state and local government,” he said.

Polis previously spoke in support of a federal moratorium that would have blocked states from enforcing AI laws (see 2505210065). Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) on Tuesday reportedly warned that Colorado’s AI law could negatively impact innovation in the state. His office on Wednesday told us he would need to review proposals before commenting. A spokesperson said Weiser's position on the AI law has been consistent since enactment, citing his remarks from September 2024 in support of promoting innovation and consumer protection.

U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, in remarks Tuesday, highlighted his support of the Trump administration’s position that the U.S. “needs to offer the best open models for innovators to build on and for America to export.”

Rodriguez said he will prioritize protecting healthcare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for state residents. “AI has been law since 2024 and the industry’s unwillingness to negotiate about upholding consumer protections for automated, life-changing decisions will not deter me from the work that needs to be done,” he said. “If they are willing to negotiate, I am happy to hear them. But I will not prioritize venture capitalist profits over the important work we need to do to protect healthcare and food access.”

The Chamber of Progress and the Colorado Technology Association said they will push for an enforcement date extension during the session. Kouri Marshall, the chamber’s government relations director for its central region, said an extension will allow lawmakers to consider specific amendments to the law during regular order. “With Colorado now facing a billion-dollar budget shortfall, this is a moment when lawmakers should be inviting innovation, not driving it away from the state,” he said in a statement.

CTA on Wednesday cited testimony from Polis’ Budget Director Mark Ferrandino, who told the Joint Budget Committee that implementation of the law could cost the state between $2.5 million and $5 million annually, and a revised estimate from Polis is closer to $6 million.

“Colorado has a unique opportunity to lead on responsible AI governance, but we must get it right,” said CTO CEO Brittany Morris Saunders. “Without significant and thoughtful adjustments, SB24-205 threatens to slow innovation, drive investment elsewhere, and jeopardize the very jobs and industries that power our economy. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership in creating space for solutions that work for all Coloradans.”

Consumer Reports AI Policy Analyst Grace Gedye said it’s “surprising and honestly egregious” that Polis supported the federal AI moratorium proposed by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “He wanted to cede Coloradans’ ability to protect themselves from AI-driven harms like fraud, errors in AI systems used for high-stakes decisions, deepfakes, and more. ... Ensuring this law works well for consumers and goes into effect should be a no-brainer. But tech lobbyists are working hard to delay or deny AI rights that Colorado legislators have already passed."