By Jeffrey A. Roberts
CFOIC Executive Director

A decision by legislative leaders Wednesday means that Coloradans will be able to watch — not just hear — what happens in committee meetings when the 2026 session of the General Assembly convenes Jan. 14.

The Executive Committee of Legislative Council voted 5-1 to spend up to $70,000 to activate video livestreaming on the Sliq Media Technologies system that for several years has provided streaming audio of legislative committees. The committee’s action follows a summer/fall pilot that tested video coverage using fixed cameras in five committee rooms, with more than 15,000 viewers through mid-November.

“I’m definitely supportive of seeing this continue and also seeing it expanded to all of our committee hearings,” said House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “By greenlighting the video streaming of committee hearings, we’re opening up more opportunities for Coloradans to engage in the legislative process,” she added in a statement posted by House Democrats.

The $70,000 figure, according to a November Legislative Council report, includes a $20,000 one-time activation fee plus $50,000 for the session. Legislative Council Director Natalie Castle told committee members Wednesday the actual cost, negotiated by her staff, will be less than previously thought — $62,338 for the next year and a half.

Adding video to the existing Sliq system has its limitations: Viewers should not expect a high-resolution experience with multiple camera angles. Those tuning in online during the pilot could see a wide shot of the committee as well as any slides referenced by speakers.

But previously, you would see nothing but an illustration of the state Capitol building under the words “Audio Only.”

The motion approved by the Executive Committee, with only Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez voting no, authorizes Legislative Council to implement video livestreaming “for all legislative committee meetings on a year-round basis, beginning in January 2026,” spending of up to $70,000 from the legislative department cash fund to cover the installation fee and the annual service fee.

Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, thanked Legislative Council staff for lowering the cost and extending the amount of time of the contract “and finding ways for us to be able keep people more involved and engaged in the work we’re doing here at the Capitol.”

Rodriguez previously had expressed concerns about potential technical problems with the video system. “I was a no at the beginning of this discussion and especially as we’re constantly looking for (budget) cuts, cutting back on things, I’ll still be a no,” the Denver Democrat said. “But I appreciate the work.”

The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition has been pushing for committee video by repeatedly highlighting the issue on our blog — starting in September 2024 — talking with lawmakers and organizing a diverse group of organizations and individuals to “enthusiastically urge” legislative leaders to make the video pilot permanent. Bart Miller, chair of the Colorado Channel Authority board that oversees video coverage of House and Senate floor proceedings, has been promoting the committee video idea for several years.  

Research by CFOIC revealed that Colorado was the only state not to provide at least some video coverage of legislative committee meetings.

Audio recording of Colorado legislative floor and committee proceedings began in the 1960s and is mandated by the legislature’s rules. The House started live video coverage of its floor action in 2008 after extensive private fundraising for the effort by then-Speaker Andrew Romanoff, who told The Denver Post his goal was to “make Colorado’s government the most transparent, the most accountable, the most citizen-friendly in America.” (CFOIC gave Romanoff its Sue O’Brien Public Service Award for that accomplishment in 2009). The Senate followed suit in 2010 under then-Senate President Brandon Shaffer.

The channel authority board contracts with the Open Media Foundation (for about $288,000 in FY 2023/2024) to provide coverage of floor proceedings on Comcast cable channel 165, the Colorado Channel’s website and YouTube, while Legislative Council handles the audio broadcasting and recording of committee work.

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