DENVER (AP) — Colorado's legislative leaders frequently brag about avoiding the partisan rancor that paralyzes Congress.
But lawmakers frequently fall short of the boast, with a Democratic House and Republican Senate often unable to agree.
This year they can say it with a straight face.
The Legislature concluded work for the year late Wednesday with agreements to increase school funding, spend nearly $2 billion to improve roads and highways, and to give business owners a tax break. They avoided many hot-button questions dividing Washington, such as immigration or health care.
But not everything went according to plan.
Lawmakers failed to agree on a response to a deadly home explosion caused by a leaking gas well in Firestone. And a long debate over regulating pot clubs went up in smoke in the closing hours.
