With the recent off-year election in the rear view, eyes are now turning to the 2026 cycle. And in Colorado, that means sorting citizen-initiated measures that make the ballot next year. Colorado’s ballot measure process is one of the most direct and impactful tools for shaping state policy—and also one of the most complex.

Join Brownstein’s David Meschke and Sarah Mercer as they walk through the constitutional and statutory framework and timeline governing statewide citizen initiatives and offer insights into recent trends, legal challenges and strategic considerations for drafting, advocating for or opposing ballot questions. They also cover key differences and considerations for county and municipal ballot measures, which play an increasingly important role in local governance.

It’s been a big week on Capitol Hill for congressional appropriators. To reopen the government, the Senate has passed a legislative package that includes multiple appropriations bills and a continuing resolution to fund all other parts of the government. As the bill now heads to the House, our team discusses the content of the legislation and what the government funding process looks like moving forward.

As the Republican-controlled Congress ramps up investigations into education, emerging technology, democratic fundraising, foreign influence and regulatory enforcement, new risks have arisen for industry members. Our team of oversight policy professionals dive into what this means for agencies, contractors and other stakeholders, and how things could change approaching the 2026 midterms.

Colorado is rolling up its sleeves to try to solve the home attainability challenge and master-planned communities will be at the forefront. In this episode, Brownstein’s Greg Vallin sits down with well-known real estate brokers Mike Kboudi and John Covert, both from Cushman and Wakefield, to dive into the forces shaping residential development across the Front Range.

Permitting has long been a concern of those in the energy extraction and production sectors. Long review periods drive up the costs and delay profits in both the renewable and fossil fuel industries. Today our team discusses the history of both parties’ efforts to fix this process, options that have been proposed by the current Congress and administration, and what to watch leading up to 2026.

There are important practical considerations for development projects with severed mineral interests. Tune in as Brownstein’s Amy Diaz and Greg Vallin talk to attorney Jennifer Blum, founder of Blum Law and Title, to understand the complex legal history and modern-day headaches of “split estates,” and learn how developers can avoid pitfalls that slow down project timelines and ruin budgets.

Recent reports that the Senate Banking Committee has a new draft of digital asset market structure legislation ahead of a potential markup this month is just the latest sign of Washington’s bipartisan momentum to make the United States the “crypto capital of the world,” as President Trump pledged during the campaign. This progress builds on a wave of landmark executive orders and regulatory policy changes that are unleashing decentralized finance. Two members of Brownstein’s financial services team discuss the risks and opportunities facing industry leaders amidst this fast-evolving crypto policy landscape. Matt Grinney served as a senior advisor in the first Trump administration, and Rob Robillard is a capital markets strategist who worked for one of Congress's most outspoken crypto skeptics, Rep. Brad Sherman of California.

For navigating the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act and avoiding costly missteps, early legal guidance can make all the difference. In this episode, Brownstein’s Corey Zurbuch and Greg Vallin break down what developers need to know about HOA formation, common pitfalls and smarter alternatives that could save time—and headaches—down the road.

One of the biggest obstacles for Colorado’s master-planned community developers is municipal approvals. The timing, uncertainty and communication issues that arise during the entitlement process can plague a project before it’s ever built. Listen in as Brownstein’s Carolynne White and Greg Vallin discuss the entitlement process and the role of home-rule, how developers can navigate the most common hurdles and risks involved with realistic project timelines and financial sustainability.

In his first year back in office, President Trump committed over $1 trillion to defense spending. With global tensions rising—from Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific—the U.S. is relying on its defense industry to stay ahead. Brownstein’s Defense Team breaks down the delayed NDAA, the recently concluded reconciliation fight and the kickoff of FY2026 appropriations talks.