Today is Jan. 10, 2024, and here's what you need to know: LIVE UPDATES: Colorado lawmakers begin 2024 legislative session Colorado Politics reporters are covering the opening ceremonies of the second regular session of the 74th General Assembly. The House and Senate are scheduled to convene at 10 a.m. Follow us for updates. House Speaker Julie McCluskie reprimands Rep. Elisabeth Epps for behavior during November session House Speaker Julie McCluskie reprimanded Rep. Elisabeth Epps, the Denver Democrat who joined pro-Palestinian protesters in the gallery and at one point called fellow lawmakers "fascist," issuing a a sternly-worded warning that such actions in the future could lead to more serious consequences. Epps won't face a censure. In her letter, McCluskie identified six violations of House rules committed by Epps during the November special session, which included name calling during a second-reading debate and shouting down from the gallery to House members; disrupting the business of the House for an hour; disregarding instructions from the State Patrol and House sergeants by refusing to leave the gallery once it was closed; and, disrespecting both the chair of the Committee of the Whole during a debate and the Speaker Pro tem during voting. IRS won't tax Colorado's TABOR refunds this year, Michael Bennet confirms Colorado taxpayers can breathe a sigh of relief after U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet confirmed on Tuesday that the Internal Revenue Service won't treat refunds issued under the state's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights as taxable income this year. An aide to the Colorado Democrat said the lawmaker secured the commitment in a meeting with the IRS and Gov. Jared Polis. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Veteran state lawmaker Bob Gardner joins GOP primary to succeed Doug Lamborn in Colorado's 5th CD State Sen. Bob Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican, told Colorado Politics late Tuesday that he is running for the seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn. "I made the decision today that I'm a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 5th Congressional District," Gardner said in an exclusive interview. "We're taking the steps to formally file a campaign in the next couple of days." Republican Larry Liston draws primary challenge from Rex Tonkins, whose wife chairs El Paso County GOP Rex Tonkins, the husband of El Paso County Republican chair Vickie Tonkins, has filed to challenge state Sen. Larry Liston in this year's GOP primary. It won't be the first time the two have clashed. Liston, who is seeking a second term in the solidly Republican, Colorado Springs-based Senate District 10, was formally censured by the state GOP last year for pursuing criminal charges against Rex Tonkins following an alleged altercation at a county party meeting presided over by Vickie Tonkins. Colorado justices show interest in validity of email notification for contempt proceedings The Colorado Supreme Court has ordered a Larimer County magistrate to explain why she could authorize a party to be notified solely by email about upcoming contempt proceedings. Under the procedural rules for civil cases, when a person is subject to contempt of court, notice must be served "directly" upon them. Andrew Conners, who is facing the possibility of jail time for allegedly withholding payments to his ex-wife for child expenses, argued a contempt notice sent to his Gmail account did not satisfy that requirement.