A brief history of Colorado’s seminal role in American free-speech doctrine
First Amendment
Posted inEducation
Colorado teen defies district policy, collects diploma while wearing stole with symbols of U.S., Mexico flags
Naomi Peña Villasano asked a federal court to OK wearing a sarape in tribute to her Mexican and American heritage. When the court said no, she did it anyway.
Posted inCartoons
“What’d I Miss?”: Friends don’t let friends make threats
In “What’d I Miss?” Myra reminds her discussion partner how threats are different from free speech — and can have some serious consequences.
Posted inOpinion Columns
Opinion: A loss for 303 Creative would be a loss for all Americans, including gay Americans
The case is about speech, not about public accommodation.
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Silverman: Pay attention when authoritarians target journalists, here and abroad.
In your pursuit of truth, follow independent media. Pay attention when journalists leave a country. Perhaps you should follow. If a government criminalizes the presentation of facts, or arguments based on evidence, then the fix is in. Such societies cannot succeed. March entered like a big, mean bear in Moscow. Russia’s last objective television and […]
Posted inNews, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Calling for the execution of political opponents should never be condoned
Less than six months ago I lambasted the bloodlust rhetoric of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. I worried that leaders like the congresswoman could be engaged in a competitive spiral to prime their base. At the time, I wrote that those leaders were “cultivating resentment, anger and hate.” I forgot to include violence. But that is […]
Posted inPolitics and Government, Technology
Where’s the line between political speech and credible threats? A Colorado bill is asking the question.
Kyle Mullica opens his email and finds one he received last year after introducing a bill at the state Capitol. The expletive-laden missive ends with this message: “The world would be better if your home burned down with you and your family in it.” The first-term state representative scrolls to find another message. This one […]
Posted inNews
Nonprofit funds lawyers to defend news media in 5 states, including Colorado
By Travis Loller, The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A nonprofit press freedom group announced on Tuesday that it would provide pro bono legal services in five states to help local news organizations defend their right to gather and report the news. The Local Legal Initiative of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Appeals court dismisses Colorado lawsuit affecting free speech rights filed by energy firm against activist
A state appeals court has dismissed a libel suit filed by a Texas energy firm against a Colorado environmental activist, finding that the lawsuit sought to stifle the activist’s freedom of speech. The ruling in favor of Delta County activist Pete Kolbenschlag came in a case that helped lead to the enactment of a new […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Polis signs bills aimed at protecting free speech rights, educating Colorado students about media
Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed a law to protect citizens and news outlets from lawsuits that seek to curb their free speech rights. Colorado joins nearly 30 states that have adopted measures to curb what are called strategic lawsuits against public participation. Witnesses testified during the legislative session about how they’d been sued for […]