Conspiracy-fueled, far-right extremists epitomize a party that has cannibalized its own election cycle after election cycle
Bob Rankin
Posted inEconomy, Housing, News, Politics and Government
Property tax arms race involving Colorado power players grips Capitol as fragile deal starts to deteriorate
A property tax arms race involving some of the state’s most powerful people is unfolding behind the scenes at the Colorado Capitol in the final days of the 2022 lawmaking term, jeopardizing a fragile deal unveiled this week. The deal, backed by the governor and negotiated over several weeks, would reduce projected property tax increases […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Republicans say Colorado is hurtling toward a possible budget deficit as a dozen new state offices are created
At least a dozen new offices have been added to Colorado’s state government over the past three years, stoking Republican fears of runaway growth as the state hurtles toward a possible budget deficit. The added offices, with ambitious goals like preventing gun violence and saving people money on health care, are a sign of ballooning […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s teacher shortage highlights need for more school funding, union boss says
Colorado will continue to face a critical teacher shortage unless state leaders make good on their constitutional obligation to increase education funding, the head of Colorado’s largest teacher union says. “We’re at a crisis point that requires bold action by our legislature,” Colorado Education Association President Amie Baca-Oehlert told The Colorado Sun in an interview […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Economy, Education, Health, News, Politics and Government
What will be debated at the Colorado Capitol when the legislature returns next week
Gov. Jared Polis wants Colorado to become one of the top 10 safest states in the U.S. within five years, he said Thursday night during a virtual Colorado Sun event ahead of the 2022 legislative session, which begins next week on Jan. 12. “It’ll take a lot of work to get there,” he said. Polis, […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
WATCH: We talk with Gov. Jared Polis, key state lawmakers about the upcoming legislative session
Join our lively discussion on the hot issues affecting Colorado this election year. Will there be a lot of action early on? Will the State Legislature accomplish more since it’s an election year? What legislation will lawmakers be teeing up when the session opens Jan. 12? Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun’s political reporter will be […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Republican state Sen. Don Coram will run to unseat Lauren Boebert
State Sen. Don Coram, a Republican from Montrose, says he will launch a primary bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert this year. Coram told a group of constituents in Montrose on Wednesday morning “the papers have been filed” for his congressional bid. He said he plans to formally announce his campaign on Friday. The […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Is Colorado’s government headed toward a fiscal cliff? Democrats say yes, Republicans say no.
Colorado’s coffers are flush with cash right now — so much so that taxpayers are getting refunds. But Democrats see trouble on the horizon. They’re not worried so much about a downturn, but the potential for spending on critical services like education and health care to run up against constitutional limits on how much tax […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado’s new state House and Senate maps drew several Democrats into Republican districts and vice versa
One Democratic state senator was drawn into a district that now leans heavily in Republicans’ favor. A GOP House member, meanwhile, will run in a district that’s now solidly Democratic. And a handful of incumbents will have to decide whether to challenge their colleagues in an awkward primary or general election contest or quickly move […]
Posted inEconomy, News, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers launch last-minute effort to drive down property taxes and combat skyrocketing assessments
State lawmakers on Wednesday introduced an eleventh-hour bill to temporarily reduce property tax assessment rates, hoping to help Coloradans contend with skyrocketing real estate prices and the rising property tax bills that follow. The measure, Senate Bill 293, would also allow people to put off a portion of their increased residential property tax payments until […]