Colorado school districts would avoid the worst budget hits from losing 30,000 students this school year under a bill that received initial support from the Joint Budget Committee Thursday. The bill sends an extra $60 million to school districts — $41 million to make up for lost local tax revenue and another $19 million to […]
Colorado Capitol
Posted inHealth, Housing, News, Politics and Government
How one block on Pearl Street represents Denver’s stubborn homelessness crisis
“I’m going to shoot him!” The man’s shouts echoed in the street at 2 a.m. as he rummaged through his belongings for a gun. Screams and yelling erupted in the encampment on Pearl Street, where about 25 people are living in tents, keeping warm with makeshift fire pits fueled by propane tanks inside blanket- and […]
Posted inCOVID, News, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers will get access to COVID-19 vaccine ahead of thousands of others in second phase
Colorado lawmakers will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine for the 2021 lawmaking term that begins Wednesday, likely moving them ahead of hundreds of thousands of others in the state’s second inoculation phase. House Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver, confirmed that members of the General Assembly are being prioritized. Legislators are expected to receive two doses […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Democrats will pursue mandatory waiting period for gun buyers, safe-storage measure in 2021
Democratic state lawmakers in Colorado are planning to introduce at least three pieces of gun-control legislation this year, including a measure that would require a waiting period — potentially of five days — between when someone purchases a firearm and when they can access that weapon. The other two bills would require gun owners to […]
Posted inBusiness, Crime and Courts, Election 2020, News, Politics and Government
Emails show negotiations involving Colorado governor, cigarette giant that led to tobacco tax hike
Gov. Jared Polis’ office was asked to meet several conditions insisted upon by Altria in exchange for the cigarette giant agreeing not to fight legislation that put a question on the November ballot asking voters to raise tobacco and nicotine taxes in Colorado, emails obtained by The Colorado Sun show. One of those conditions included […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Voices of Colorado youth, amplified by activism and opportunity, find receptive ears with lawmakers
As a high school sophomore, Margot Swetich followed state Sen. Faith Winter to a building across the street from the State Capitol and into a meeting room, where an assortment of lobbyists peppered the Westminster Democrat with questions and objections to the contentious family leave bill she championed. Margot, then just 15, reeled from the […]
Posted inBusiness, COVID, Health, News, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers’ coronavirus aid plans include distributing $22.5 million in taxpayer money through nonprofits
Colorado lawmakers are planning to channel $22.5 million in coronavirus economic aid through nonprofits, a move that Democrats say will allow the money to reach people faster and target those unable to access government assistance, including immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. The money represents about 10% of the roughly $200 million in relief the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: 156 years later, we still have much to learn from the Sand Creek Massacre
Colorado needs the Sand Creek Massacre monument. Not because Sand Creek defines our past, but because recognizing past errors can inform our current choices and help shape a better future. We can be proud of Colorado’s history of independence and pioneering self-reliance. However, we risk enormous disservice when we don’t acknowledge the darker parts of […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Civil War statue and Sand Creek Massacre memorial: Make room for both at the Colorado Capitol
I’m prone to obsessions. My (patient) wife has spent too much time listening about weightlifting, physics, birds, three-toed sloths. When it comes to history, it’s gotta be the Cold War. I’ve read a little of everything on the subject. When I think about history, I’ve never been a fan of the idea that there is […]
Posted inCartoons, Opinion
What’d I Miss?: History knocked down, reimagined
Myra has missed 30 years of her life, due to a coma, but has found a new friendship with her young neighbor, Ossie. Together, they both are searching for their place in this world. < Previous | Start from the beginning | Next > More cartoons from The Colorado Sun