Originally published in Law Week Colorado - Vol.11, No. 2 - January 14, 2013.

ON JANUARY 9, the 2013 Colorado legislative session opened with a political party “trifecta” and many newly minted elected officials.

The Democratic Party secured the advantage for this session following the recent election that gave their party control of the House, Senate and governor’s office. The challenges that can result from single-party control, no matter which party it is, include the controlling party pushing their favorite — and many times extreme — measures and sometimes resetting legislation that was passed during the previous session. Many times, this state of affairs can create a challenge to the governor’s office to put some measure of control on its own party. Most will comment that a “balanced” legislature normally results in a more productive session than one controlled by just one political party.

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