Gov. John Hickenlooper wants Colorado lawmakers back at the Capitol Monday to consider bills to fund water projects and help stabilize unemployment insurance rates for businesses — in addition to once again taking on the issue of civil unions for gay couples.

“Much of this legislation had significant bipartisan support and addressed subject matter crucial to the people of Colorado and the effective, efficient operation of state government,” Hickenlooper said in an executive order calling for the special session.

“The ramifications of the General Assembly’s inability to take up the business of its people will negatively impact the state of Colorado and hamper its ability to serve its people. These extraordinary circumstances require a special session of the General Assembly.”

Hickenlooper announced Wednesday that he would call a special session after the dramatic death of a civil unions bill without any debate in the Republican-controlled House, even though it was clear there were enough votes to pass the bill. After hours of delay, at least 30 other bills were killed in the crossfire.

Some of those measures were revived Wednesday during the final day of the session, but several were outstanding.

Hickenlooper said the special session would address seven issues:

– Funding $55 million of Colorado Water Conservation Board projects;

– Penalties for persons who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

– Civil unions;

– Stabilizing unemployment insurance rates, allowing the issuance of unemployment revenue bonds and accelerating the creation of the Division of Unemployment Insurance in the Department of Labor and Employment;

– Creating “benefit corporations” in Colorado;

– Registering “special mobile machinery fleets”;

– Asking voters to amend the state constitution by repealing provisions deemed obsolete, including one measure that barred local governments from prohibiting discrimination against gays.

It takes a minimum of three days to pass a bill, though technically, lawmakers could simply gavel in and then gavel right back out if they wanted.

A special session costs taxpayers $23,500 a day.