Democrats say that's a GOP strategy to control the publicity  on gun issues. Limiting the debate, they say, limits the political  pain felt by Republicans who vote against the gun-control measures  of their fellow Republican, Gov. Bill Owens.

'They know their people are uncomfortable with it,' said  Senate Minority Leader Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. 'It's to protect  their people who are going to vote contrary to the governor.'

Senate President Ray Powers, R-Colorado Springs, says the  scheduling isn't political, just practical.

'I'm saying let's do it and be done with it,' Powers said.  'This issue is important. Let's get it addressed and move on.'

The hearings will occur the week after next. The Senate is to  go first on Jan. 24 and the House is to hear them Jan. 27.

That will make for some long meetings. House Judiciary  Chairman Bill Kaufman, R-Loveland, says the Jan. 27 meeting will  start around noon, and the 10 bills could take until after  midnight. They'll work through lunch and maybe even dinner.

Kaufman agrees that the timing is not political. He said it  squares with the desire of Powers and House Speaker Russ George to  finish the gun debate by mid-February.