Prior Legislative Sessions - Legislative Research - Colorado - Research Guides at Auraria Library (CU Denver, MSU Denver, CCD)

Colorado Digest of Bills

Researching Colorado Legislation
Legislative histories are not already written. They must be compiled by the researcher from many different sources and materials.
Colorado Digest of Bills

Laws passed at the Session of the General Assembly of the State of Colorado are published after each session and may provide a brief purpose statement for acts passed into law. You can trace the history of prior session bills and laws, by searching the Bill Folders, Journals, Calendars & Status Sheets, Online 1997+

Votes, House and Senate Journals and Legislative Directories by Sponsor or by Committee. Copies of bills are available in .pdf format as a red-lined document, including the Bill History, Pre-Amended form, Committee Reports and Final Votes.

Photo Credit: Colorado State Capitol by Cliff1066
Flickr Creative Commons

Access for All: Providing a Window to the Legislative Process for Colorado’s Citizens
Searchable access to all Colorado Legislative Council Research Publications; legislation related to each publication; information on performing legislative history research at the state and federal level. Unrestricted Access.

Online Historical Directory

Legislators, Past and Present
(1881-present). Alphabetical, biographical information.

Archival Resources

The Colorado Red Book
Immediately after the adjournment of each session, the Office of Legislative Legal Services indexes and publishes all the bills and concurrent resolutions passed at that session together with those resolutions and memorials designated for printing by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The “Red Book,” (so called because it was originally bound in a red cover), is a “Tabulation” of all changes made by amendments, additions, and repeals to Colorado Revised Statutes by Chapter, House or Senate Bill number or by Statute. The “Red Book,” is available online, back to 1993. Prior to 1993, Session Laws in Red Book format are available in hard copy form for public review in the Colorado Joint Legislative Library in the Capitol basement.
Colorado State Archive
This is the state's repository of Colorado legal and historical records. Includes audiotapes of Colorado House and Senate debates, floor proceedings, House / Senate Committee Hearings, House / Senate standing and interim committee meetings.
Legislative Council Library
200 East Colfax Ave.
State Capitol Bldg., Rm. 029
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-3521
Important Note About Colorado Legislative Audio Archive
Address all inquiries to the Colorado State Archives. There are fees associated with listening to the tapes, handling records, professional assistance and copy work. Please contact the State Archives for specific rates.