BUDGET CRISIS: LAWMAKERS TO HOLD SPECIAL SESSION; STATE HIRING FROZEN

UPDATE

Colorado Governor Jared Polis called a special session of the state legislature for Aug. 21 to tackle an almost $1 billion budget deficit triggered by federal funding cuts.

"This isn’t about rhetoric; this is about hard numbers and balancing our budget, Polis said Wednesday. "All options are on the table."

The governor also imposed a freeze on state government hiring.

"Unlike Congress, which has made the federal deficit and debt worse, Colorado actually has to balance our budget," Polis said.