2010 legislative session

By Steve Raabe
The Denver Post

Colorado businesses endured a bruising legislative session in what some observers say was one of the tougher in memory for companies.

Charged with closing a huge budget shortfall, the Colorado legislature passed a slew of bills that eliminated tax exemptions long enjoyed by the business sector.

The removal of exemptions and tax credits is expected to cost Colorado businesses $100 million to $133 million a year.

With the current legislative session almost in the books, we wanted to step away from the action to offer an early assessment of some of the broad accomplishments and outcomes from the 2010 General Assembly.

Against a backdrop of severe economic strain, lawmakers were faced with many tough decisions. Tensions were high at times, but we think lawmakers worked together to take significant steps in many areas.