It is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives that was created by the 1876 state constitution.

The vast majority of members of the General Assembly who are ultimately elected (in excess of 90% of members ultimately elected in all recent sessions) are nominated through a major political party caucus process that places candidates on a primary ballot for the position sought in their political party, which generally requires 30% support from delegates to the relevant nominating body of the political party.

It is also possible for individuals who have been registered to vote and affiliated with the political party in question for at least a year to gain access to a partisan primary ballot by petition.

The state auditor is appointed by the General Assembly, as are many members of independent boards and commissions.

With the notable exceptions listed below, the Colorado General Assembly operates in a manner quite similar to the United States Congress.

Special sessions may be called at any time by the governor or upon written request of two-thirds of the members of each house, but are infrequent.

[5] Colorado's legislature does not have an analog to the filibuster in the United States Senate requiring a supermajority for approval of any matter.

The lieutenant governor does not have the power to preside or break tie votes in either house of the General Assembly.

[8] The General Assembly does not have a role in the appointment or retention of state judges, although it must authorize the creation of each judgeship.

Many state agencies and programs are subject to "sunset review" and are automatically abolished if the General Assembly does not reauthorize them.

Unlike many legislative initiatives, the Long Bill is neither an acronym nor named after an individual with significant influence.

The House and the Senate alternate the job of introducing the long bill and making a first committee review of it.

The 74th session will mark the first time in state history that women will hold the majority of seats in the General Assembly.