Last May, a civil-unions bill died an ugly death in the Colorado House of Representatives, alternately frustrating and pissing off backers. But this year appears to be a very different story. A short time ago, the state senate approved the Pat Steadman-sponsored measure — and while that happened in 2012,…
Colorado Democrat leaders proposed an array of gun control measures today that would lead to comprehensive state policy changes. The proposed legislation addresses assault-rifle ownership, modernizing the current background check system, a high-capacity magazine ban and strengthening mental health resources…
A bill that would grant undocumented immigrant students in-state tuition in Colorado is set to go before a Senate Appropriations Committee next week. Senate Bill 33, aka Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET), breezed through a hearing by a Senate Education Committee with a bipartisan vote of 6-3…
Welcome to another round of the back-and-forth between Secretary of State Scott Gessler and the Independent Ethics Commission. In response to an IEC investigation launched in November, Gessler, as represented by attorney David Lane, is seeking a temporary restraining order; see it below. Gessler spokesman Andrew Cole says the suit…
The uproar over photos and messages associated with the Twitter account of Overland High’s Carly McKinney, aka CarlyCrunkBear, offers a cautionary tale about the ways in which social media has changed the professional landscape. But a new bill headed to the Colorado legislature could make losing one’s job for imprudent…
Last week, we noted that Weld County Sheriff John Cooke was among several Colorado sheriffs raising constitutional concerns about potential gun-control measures. Now, the Weld Count Commissioners have pulled a similar trigger, passing a resolution — read it below — expressing their support for the Second Amendment…
Update: As we reported yesterday, a fetal homicide bill sponsored by Republican Representative Janak Joshi was defeated along party lines, with Democrats saying they plan to bring forward a measure that accomplishes similar goals without being a “Trojan horse” for personhood; see our original coverage below. After our post was…
Mayor Michael Hancock delayed paying off a wager with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake because of an injury. The terms? If the Broncos lost to the Ravens (which they did), Hancock would send a box of steaks to Maryland aaaand do the Ray Lewis dance. Well, the mayor is healed and…
At noon, two days after a Senate committee voted to approve a bill allowing same-sex civil unions, a sizable crowd of “pro-marriage” supporters rallied on the steps of the State Capitol building. A similar gathering took place in May last year following the failure of another civil union bill. But…
Occupy Denver may no longer be making headlines, but at least one city official is still talking about the protesters — specifically law enforcement’s role in a violent confrontation. A recent report from the Office of the Independent Monitor, the city’s official watchdog, says Denver Police and the Department of…
Former Colorado Governor Dick Lamm is one of more than a hundred officials, public leaders and organizations to sign on to the so-called Colorado Compact on immigration — an effort Senator Michael Bennet is spearheading. But Lamm, who has in the past made some attention-getting statements on immigration, says he…
A detailed study of Colorado’s juvenile courts by a national coalition of attorneys who specialize in juvenile defense work describes the state system as plagued by turnover, case overload, confusion and judicial shortcuts that sometimes deprive the juveniles in its care of their rights — and is more likely to…
If they are eligible to vote, individuals in youth correctional facilities should be able to cast ballots. That’s the thinking of Representative Paul Rosenthal, who is pushing a bill that would make clear the voting rights of those in Division of Youth Corrections custody. The proposal is personal: As a…
With President Obama unveiling sweeping gun control proposals and New York swiftly passing the nation’s toughest gun laws, it’s time for Colorado to push forward with its own legislation to curb violence. At least that’s the thinking of Representative Rhonda Fields, who next week will introduce a bill that requiring…
We recently profiled Colorado’s Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who has received a great deal of attention due to allegations of corruption and accusations that he has suppressed voters. In our reporting, we got perspectives from many local politicians and elected officials on Gessler’s first years in office. Below is…
At the Capitol yesterday, Secretary of State Scott Gessler had lots to discuss at a State Affairs briefing — but only a few minutes into his presentation, he was interrupted by critical questions from lawmakers. The immediate criticisms, which were put on hold until after he finished his prepared remarks,…
When Secretary of State Scott Gessler needs legal help, the office of Attorney General John Suthers typically represents him. But in the case of ethics and criminal investigations into Gessler’s alleged misuse of public funds, Suthers has stayed out of it due to a potential conflict-of-interest. Suthers is, however, weighing…
This week in print, we take an in-depth look at Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who has faced ongoing accusations of suppressing voters. We published the story the same day that Republican lawmakers at the start of the new legislative session put forth a bill they crafted with Gessler that…
This week’s cover story on Scott Gessler delves into two of the Republican Secretary of State’s biggest controversies — allegations that he misused public dollars for partisan travels and accusations that he has suppressed voters. Gessler earned the latter criticisms for his initiatives to prevent voter fraud, and for our…
Former Colorado Governor Dick Lamm is speaking out about the last-minute deal in Washington D.C. to avert a fiscal cliff — and backing Senator Michael Bennet, who defied his party and a Senate majority to vote “no.” Lamm, who is part of the national Campaign to Fix the Debt effort,…
In the contentious debates on gun policy that are likely to remain at the forefront of national politics in the coming months, Colorado is an important player given its history of tragic mass shootings. And on one national task force dedicated to reducing gun violence, U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter, who…
In the final weeks of 2012, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, who represents Denver, pushed for an immediate vote on a measure to ban high-capacity assault magazines. The bill, she said, would be a sign of concrete action after twenty children were slaughtered in Connecticut. But the chance for a vote never…
