Posted inNews, Politics and Government

Nearly 600 uncounted 2019 ballots have been found in a western Colorado county

GRAND JUNCTION — An elections clerk in a western Colorado county found nearly 600 ballots for the November 2019 election that went uncollected — and uncounted, she reported this week. “This is a very serious offense and I wanted to let people know,” Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters told The Daily Sentinel. The 574 […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

With Proposition CC’s failure, Colorado Democrats face a budget crunch in 2020. Here are their 4 options to address it.

With the defeat of Proposition CC, voters ensured two features of Colorado state government are here to stay:  Taxpayer refunds and the periodic legislative exercise in avoiding them. The 2020 budget cycle is shaping up to be no exception. The legislative session is still weeks away, and Colorado budget writers already face a daunting list […]

Posted inUncategorized

Comparing voters to their neighbors can dramatically boost turnout. A Colorado mailer, however, really missed the mark.

Using mailers as a form of social pressure to urge people to vote is among the most effective ways of driving election turnout, studies show. The tactic, in fact, can be even more potent than door-to-door canvassing.  That’s especially true when voters are told how their voting record compares to their neighbors’. Such messaging can […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

Colorado voters narrowly approve sports betting, turning on new spigot for water project funding

Colorado became the 19th state to allow sports betting after voters narrowly approved Proposition DD thanks to strong support from people in and around Denver. The ballot question was bouncing between winning and losing as results were reported on Election Night — at one brief point it was locked in a 50-50 tie —  but […]

Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government

Colorado communities do what state lawmakers wouldn’t: Raise taxes on cigarettes, vaping products

A cluster of health-conscious communities, mostly in the Colorado mountains, passed measures Tuesday that took aim at the youth vaping epidemic.  Eight cities and counties asked voters to increase taxes on tobacco, including electronic cigarettes and vaping products. And the proposed taxes were hefty — $3 to $4 per pack of cigarettes and 40% on […]

Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government

An end to Denver’s school reform era? Teachers union-backed school board candidates win big

The Denver school board is on the verge of a historic shift, with two candidates backed by the teachers union scoring decisive wins and a third holding a narrow lead. This marks the first time in a decade that candidates supported by proponents of education reform won’t have the majority on the Denver school board. […]

Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government

Proposition DD too close to call: Future of Colorado sports betting, water project funding hangs in balance

In a nail-biter of a race, the legalization of Colorado sports betting — and the millions it would generate for water projects — appeared too close to call late Tuesday. By 10 p.m., with perhaps tens of thousands of ballots left to count, the margin between yes and no on Proposition DD was less than […]

Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government

On eve of Colorado school board elections, youth coalition renews push to lower voting age

Asked how they feel about Denver’s pending school board election, some student activists use words like “hopeless” and “frustrated.” “It’s a decision that is made for you, and you want to have a voice in it, but you can’t,” said Madison Ordonez Erives, a senior at Denver’s East High School and a member of the Student […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

Coloradans for Prosperity is sending people voter “report cards.” Here’s who the group is and what they want.

Coloradans for Prosperity, a deep-pocketed group working to pass Proposition CC on November’s ballot, has been sending people a voter “report card” in an effort to boost turnout.  The report cards grade recipients on their recent voting record compared to their neighbors, urging them to cast their ballots. Some voters have been frustrated by the […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

17,774 Aurora voters got a ballot instructing them to choose one at-large City Council candidate. They are supposed to be picking two.

Adams County elections officials sent ballots to thousands of Aurora voters asking them to choose just one of six at-large candidates for City Council. But voters are actually supposed to be picking two.  Aurora City Clerk Stephen Ruge confirmed the error to The Colorado Sun on Wednesday morning and said he was working with Adams […]