Democrat turns to abortion in Republican-leaning district

Good morning, Colorado.

I found it extremely satisfying to see the digits on my thermostat steadily fall yesterday afternoon as fat raindrops poured from the sky. The soothing pitter-patter from the rain hitting the roof, the slight breeze from my living room window and petrichor all felt worth a celebration after several scorching days.

We’ve got some time this morning before the heat returns, so let’s get reading, shall we?

Olivia Prentzel

Reporter

THE NEWS

POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Democrat Adam Frisch turns to abortion to win in Colorado’s Republican-leaning 3rd Congressional District

Democrat Adam Frisch nearly beat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in 2022 in Colorado’s Republican-leaning 3rd Congressional District with a simple message: His opponent was too extreme. But now that Boebert has left the district and Frisch is facing a much more mild-mannered candidate in Grand Junction attorney Jeff Hurd, Frisch is trying a new message: abortion. Jesse Paul has more.

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• Republican Gabe Evans is paying himself a salary out of his 8th Congressional District campaign account. There’s nothing illegal about Evans’ payments. But it’s an unusual move because of the criticism it can draw. 

ELECTIONS

Two-week trial begins in lawsuit challenging Colorado’s campaign contribution limits

Colorado’s voter-approved state campaign limits are among the lowest in the country. A two-week trial seeking to overturn them has begun. Three Republicans, who brought the case, argue the limits restrict candidates who can’t self-fund their campaigns and steps on donors’ First Amendment right to freedom of speech. As Sandra Fish writes, voters overwhelmingly adopted Colorado’s donation limits in 2022 through an amendment to the state constitution.

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EDUCATION

Should all Colorado substitute teachers be members of PERA? The question is headed to court.

Five school districts are fighting a new policy that would allow substitute teachers hired through outside staffing agencies to benefit from the state’s retirement system. It’s a move that districts say could cost them millions and make the already tough task of finding enough subs even harder. Erica Breunlin has more on the lawsuit.

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OUTDOORS

Carrie Hauser takes charge at Trust for Public Land after 11 years at Colorado Mountain College, two terms on CPW commission

Carrie Hauser has reached the summit of every 14er in the state, but that’s far from the highest of her accomplishments in Colorado, where the outdoorswoman and Ph.D. has led Colorado Mountain College for 11 years and worked two terms as a Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioner. Now she’s taking on another huge role: Leading Trust for Public Land, the 50-year-old nonprofit conservation group that has worked to protect treasured landscapes and create more than 5,000 community parks across the nation. Jason Blevins has the story.

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Section by Olivia Prentzel | Reporter

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Rattlesnake “mega-den” in northern Colorado is now featured on a live stream. Researchers say the den has attracted hundreds of rattlesnakes because its geologic features have hiding places and shelter.
  — CBS News
• Arrested for pro-Palestinian protesting, this Denver man declined a plea deal before mostly winning at his day in court. On Dec. 3, 2023, Merrill “Arnie” Carter joined a protest organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, which shut down Speer Boulevard to call out the Jewish National Fund’s Global Conference for Israel happening at the convention center nearby.
  — Denverite
• Should noncitizens be eligible to serve as Denver cops and firefighters? Voters will decide. City Council sends a measure to the ballot that would open the door for immigrants to work for the Denver police and fire departments.
  — The Denver Post 🔑
• Why a Boulder group wants to turn the city’s airport into an affordable neighborhood. A group wants to decommission Boulder’s municipal airport and turn that city-owned land into a neighborhood with around 2,000 homes. At least half would be designated affordable.
  — KUNC

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Eric Lubbers | CTO & Newsletter Wrangler

THE OPINION PAGE

COMMUNITY

• Prevailing myths about public health hinder advancements that could help Coloradans.  Dispelling myths — it’s not sexy, not science, and invisible until it fails — will go a long way to making Colorado safer and healthier
  — Cathy J. Bradley, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health and the deputy director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center

The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.

SunLit

REVIEW

A struggling middle-aged woman takes to the highway in “Three Keys”

Ammalie Brinks is in crisis mode, much like the world around her. The frazzled protagonist of “Three Keys,” award-winning author Laura Pritchett’s latest novel, has hit the road in search of equilibrium, herself and maybe even love — of an unexpected nature. This slice of narrative introduces a character whose adventures take her across the country, and beyond, with the help of keys that provide her unauthorized access to accommodations along the way.

READ AN EXCERPT

• Interview with the author. The backstory to Pritchett’s novel is a great peek into the creative process, and she goes on to touch on some of the themes that emerge throughout the narrative.
• Listen to the podcast with Laura Pritchett.

Section by Kevin Simpson | Writer

That’s a wrap. Thanks for reading and we hope to see you here again soon.

— Olivia & the whole staff of The Sun

The Colorado Sun is part of The Trust Project. Read our policies.

Corrections & Clarifications

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