Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday ordered state lawmakers back to the Colorado Capitol on Aug. 21 for a special legislative session aimed at addressing the nearly $1 billion hole punched in the state budget by the so-called big, beautiful bill, congressional Republicans’ federal tax and spending measure.

In his executive order calling the special session, Polis also ordered state agencies to implement a hiring freeze through the end of the year.

“If it were to be dealt with in February or March of next year, it would be very, very harsh cuts for those final three or four months of the year,” the governor said of addressing the budget shortfall in an interview with The Colorado Sun. “It would be devastating to the services we offer. Much better to spread everything (around).”

Polis also di

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