Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government, Transportation

Colorado lawmakers reach deal to spend $300 million on transportation. But it’s unclear what will be cut to pay for it.

Democrats and Republicans in the Colorado legislature have reached an agreement to allocate $300 million for transportation in this year’s budget package, but it’s unclear what will be cut in order to make that spending possible. “We’re going to dig through the couch cushions,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, a Pueblo Democrat and state budget writer […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Growth, News

Colorado Springs has big plans for its downtown. But first the city must deal with the Martin Drake Power Plant.

The Martin Drake Power Plant is as prominent as it is controversial in Colorado Springs. It’s an unmistakable landmark on the downtown horizon, especially in winter when steam from its coal-fired electric generation billows high into the air over the city’s handful of tall buildings and nearby Pikes Peak. But alongside the debate about public […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet says he has prostate cancer and “my prognosis is good”

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who has been inching toward a 2020 presidential bid, announced Wednesday night that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Late last month, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” the Colorado Democrat said in a written statement. “While hearing news like this is never easy, I am fortunate it was detected […]

Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government

Colorado death penalty repeal effort is yanked, with Democratic votes in question

Colorado lawmakers on Tuesday nixed their effort to repeal the state’s death penalty after it appeared Democrats lacked the votes needed to push the measure through, emphasizing a split in the party that has been widening for weeks. Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, tearfully asked that Senate Bill 182 be laid over until May […]

Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, Growth, News, Politics and Government

It’s the Year of the Renter at the Colorado statehouse, from rent control to less stringent eviction timelines

First it was the bed bugs that infested the couch and the roaches scuttling through the kitchen. But the worst was the day the boiler room exploded, sending residents of Kelsey Danna’s apartment complex screaming and running as a gas man shouted at them to get to safety. The Englewood complex didn’t have heat for […]

Posted inCrime and Courts, News

Columbine students campaign to spread photos of mass-shooting victims as discussion of gun-violence physiology grows

There’s been a national push in recent years to erase the names of gunmen who commit mass shootings from the public sphere. But now a group of Columbine High School students are leading an effort to spread photos of their horrific acts to influence the conversation around gun control. The #MyLastShot campaign, launched this week, […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government, Transportation

Republicans are celebrating, but the extra $106 million for transportation in Colorado’s budget is far from a done deal

Republicans in the Colorado Senate celebrated this week as the $30.5 billion state budget passed out of the chamber with $106 million in cuts to government administration spending as part of a plan to divert the money toward transportation. Since January, the GOP had been clamoring for more money — $336 million to be exact […]

Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government

Colorado Senate passes red flag gun bill, moving it one step from Gov. Jared Polis’ signature

The Colorado Senate on Thursday passed the so-called red flag gun bill, moving the measure within a step of Gov. Jared Polis’ desk, where he’s expected to sign it into law. House Bill 1177 cleared the chamber on an 18-17 vote. It now heads back to the House for approval of Senate amendments. Senate President […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

Here are the Democrats running to unseat Republican Cory Gardner — and who’s campaigns have ended

Colorado’s 2020 race for U.S. Senate will be among the most watched congressional contests in the nation, with Republican Cory Gardner appearing vulnerable in a state with an electorate moving increasingly toward the center and left. There were a host of Democratic candidates who announced campaigns to unseat Gardner. But as of April 2020 it […]

Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government

Democrat Leroy Garcia, Colorado Senate president, will cast “no” vote on red flag bill

Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia will abandon one of his party’s priority pieces of legislation when the so-called red flag gun bill comes up for a final vote in the state Senate in the coming days. Garcia first announced his decision to vote “no” on the measure to The Pueblo Chieftain on Tuesday. “I took […]