A $45-million, controversial plan to turn a now-vacant, rural campus that previously housed teens in the criminal justice and foster care systems into a “recovery campus” for the homeless passed its first Capitol hearing Monday. A committee voted 4-3 to advance the measure despite festering questions about why Gov. Jared Polis’ administration shut down the […]
Jim Smallwood
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Democrats’ big health insurance bill was amended 21 times. Here’s how it has changed.
It was a public option bill, and then it wasn’t. It required the health care industry to cut costs by 20% at one point, but now that figure has been slashed by a quarter. For weeks, the legislation threatened doctors with fines and licensing consequences if they didn’t participate in the initiative, but now physicians […]
Posted inColoradans, COVID, News
The Colorado Sun’s COVID diaries stories
As a heavy spring snow blanketed the state on Thursday, April 16, journalists from news organizations across Colorado — including The Colorado Sun — set out to chronicle a day in the life of the state’s residents during this extraordinary coronavirus time. Check out The Sun’s contributions to the project, spearheaded by the Colorado News […]
Posted inColoradans, COVID, News, Politics and Government
COVID diaries: This Colorado state senator has rare status — immunity from coronavirus
Jim Smallwood was waiting for a call from Children’s Hospital Colorado to find out his blood type. It’s something he should know, he figures, since his blood is in high demand now. The father of three and state senator from Douglas County has a rare status, not that he asked for it. Smallwood is among […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus
State Sen. Jim Smallwood announced Monday that he has tested positive for the new coronavirus. “I want to first let everybody know that I’m currently feeling great,” the Parker Republican said in a written statement. “Thankfully, my symptoms were mild and subsided quickly. Unfortunately, this shows just how valuable social distancing is in this difficult […]