New bill would increase compensation given to lawmakers during legislative session

Samantha Jarpe
·2 min read
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DENVER (KDVR) — A new bill introduced in the Colorado legislature would increase how much money elected officials are paid while they’re in session and completely overhaul the way many elected officials and legislators in the state are paid.

HB 24-1059, Compensation for State Elected Officials, does two distinct things: increase the amount of money paid to legislators during the legislative session and set up an independent commission to determine the salary for several different elected positions in the state.

How much do Gov. Polis, other Colorado officials make?

Increase to ‘per diem’ pay

Currently, members of the General Assembly who live in the Denver metro area are entitled to $45 per day during the legislative session, while members outside of the metro area are entitled to 85% of the federal “per diem” rate for Denver.

This rate is set by the General Services Administration each year and varies depending on the service (lodging/meals/etc.) and month.

The bill aims to change the amount for members in Denver to 25% of the federal per diem rate and increase the rate for those outside of it to 95%.

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The money isn’t part of a legislator’s salary but instead compensates for lodging and other expenses incurred while the legislators are in Denver during the months-long, annual legislative session.

The new rate also wouldn’t go into effect until the 2025-26 fiscal year.

New commission to set salaries

The bill also sets up an independent commission to set the salaries for specific elected officials. This includes the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer and state lawmakers.

Currently, the salaries of these officials are set as a percentage of what state judicial officials like county judges make.

However, if the bill passes, the commission would instead decide these elected officials’ salaries.

These salaries wouldn’t take effect until January 2027.

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