The Latest on Gov. John Hickenlooper's final state of the state address to the Legislature (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

Gov. John Hickenlooper says that, by nearly every measure, Colorado is perhaps stronger than at any point in its history.

But he warned lawmakers in his final state of the state address on Thursday that there's a lot to do in 2018.

He says his priorities include shoring up the public employees' pension fund, legislation to safely cap so-called orphan oil and gas wells that can pose a danger of explosion, attacking the opioid epidemic and rural development.

Hickenlooper also says he wants action to fix a constitutional measure, known as the Gallagher Amendment, that restricts personal property tax collections and harms rural communities' ability to pay for essential services.

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11:25 a.m.

Gov. John Hickenlooper says Colorado's economy has advanced powerfully since he took office in 2011.

Back then, he said in his state of the state speech Thursday, Colorado ranked 26th in unemployment and 40th in job growth among U.S. states.

He says the economy was in disarray and the worst year for job seekers in generations had just ended.

He says regulatory reform and an open-for-business attitude have made Colorado "one of the best places for business in America."

It's the final state of the state address for the governor, who is term-limited.

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11:15 a.m.

Colorado's term-limited governor, Democrat John Hickenlooper, is delivering his final state of the state address to the Legislature.

The Democrat's address on Thursday comes one week after he vigorously defended Colorado's marijuana experiment after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued new pot guidance to federal law enforcement.

Hickenlooper reluctantly accepted voters' decision in 2012 to create the nation's first recreational pot industry. But he has insisted it be tightly regulated. That regulatory framework has become a highlight of his administration.

The former Denver mayor was elected in 2010 and narrowly defeated former Rep. Bob Beauprez in 2014's GOP-dominant election.

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10:10 a.m.

Colorado's term-limited governor, Democrat John Hickenlooper, is set to deliver his final state of the state address to the Legislature.

Hickenlooper is expected Thursday to urge lawmakers to take advantage of a better-than-usual budget outlook to make down payments on schools, public employee pensions, rural broadband and roads.

The Democrat's address comes one week after he vigorously defended Colorado's marijuana experiment after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued new pot guidance to federal law enforcement.

Hickenlooper reluctantly accepted voters' decision in 2012 to create the nation's first recreational pot industry. But he has insisted it be tightly regulated. That regulatory framework has become a highlight of his administration.

The former Denver mayor was elected in 2010 and narrowly defeated former Rep. Bob Beauprez in 2014's GOP-dominant election.