Colorado lawmakers are making significant progress in their efforts to provide property tax relief during the ongoing special session. On the second day of the session, both the House and Senate are actively working to pass bills aimed at addressing the issue.

On Saturday afternoon, the House concluded its work for the day, having advanced several bills designed to alleviate the burden of property taxes. The bills include measures to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, increase rental assistance, establish a task force for long-term property tax solutions, and allocate additional staffing for the state Department of Treasury.

Meanwhile, the Senate is nearing the end of its initial agenda, with the primary property tax bill set for a final vote on Sunday. Following the House's lead, the Senate committees will begin reviewing and working on the bills passed by the House as they head into Saturday evening.

In a show of bipartisanship, the House passed a bill to double the state's match for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which primarily benefits low-income families and workers. The lawmakers believe this special session is not solely focused on property owners but aims to provide necessary relief for the entire state.

Additionally, a bill to provide food to children in low-income households during the summer easily sailed through the Senate with near-unanimous support. The bill, which costs the state $6.7 million this fiscal year and $4.5 million in the next, aims to feed up to 350,000 children and attract up to $42 million in federal benefits. The bill will now proceed to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

However, the Saturday morning session was briefly interrupted by a group of pro-Palestine protesters demanding lawmakers' support for a ceasefire in Gaza. The protesters unfurled Palestinian flags and a banner while shouting for an end to Israel's occupation. Law enforcement promptly intervened, escorting the protesters out of the balcony area. Despite the disruption, some lawmakers engaged in a constructive dialogue with the protesters.

The special session, called by Governor Jared Polis in response to the rejection of Proposition HH, aims to address property tax increases driven by recent rises in property values across the state. Prop. HH had sought to reduce the size of these increases while providing compensation to affected school districts and local governments. Lawmakers are now pursuing a similar strategy for the upcoming year, with direct property tax relief provisions mirroring those proposed in the failed proposition.

The ongoing special session is progressing amidst some tensions between the majority Democrats and minority Republicans. The session, originally planned for three days, may be extended into Monday due to a Senate floor dispute on Friday night.

As the Senate plans to convene mid-morning and conduct preliminary floor votes on Saturday, the House aims to finalize the bills introduced in their chamber and pass them to the Senate for further consideration. Lawmakers are hopeful that the proposed relief measures will provide much-needed assistance to Colorado residents burdened by property taxes.

The special session is closely watched as it unfolds, offering potential relief to homeowners and renters alike.