State Sen. Kerry Donovan wants to slow the roll on wolf reintroduction. The Vail Democrat, who represents seven Western Slope counties, has crafted legislation she hopes to submit on Friday that allows Colorado Parks and Wildlife to manage wolves, but would postpone any reintroduction efforts until money is found to reimburse ranchers who lose livestock […]
Kerry Donovan
Posted inBusiness, Education, Energy, Environment, Growth, Health, News, Politics and Government, Transportation
Colorado’s 2020 legislative session begins this week. Here’s a rundown of 10 issues to watch.
A year after engineering a major policy shift in Colorado, the Democratic-led General Assembly returns to the state Capitol this week with much left on its to-do list. Like the 2019 session, the question this year is how far the party will go in the 120-day lawmaking term to reshape how Colorado provides health care, […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
National Democrats call Colorado Republican Scott Tipton’s seat a top pickup opportunity. But is it winnable?
National Democrats have vowed to try to dislodge U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District next year, calling his seat one of the party’s “top pickup opportunities.” But of the three candidates so far vying to replace the Cortez Republican — including one who announced his bid just earlier this month — the […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Democratic state Sen. Angela Williams launches bid for U.S. Senate
State Sen. Angela Williams on Monday joined the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, becoming the first sitting elected official to enter the crowded race. The news first broke midday when Williams filed with the federal government to launch her candidacy. The northeast Denver lawmaker then followed up with a news release to reporters and video […]
Posted inSun Investigation
GOP blasted Democrats for the 2019 legislative session. But they supported nearly every bill, analysis shows.
This year, Republicans accused the Democratic majority at the state Capitol of political overreach, stalled contentious legislation for hours and called for recall elections. But the rancor belies the fact that at least one Republican lawmaker supported all but 19 of the 460 bills approved, meaning 96% won bipartisan support. The broad agreement is not […]
Posted inPolitics and Government, Sun Investigation
The 2019 legislative session in Colorado explained in 5 graphics
A month after it ended, the 2019 legislative session continues to resonate in Colorado. Democratic lawmakers are cheering, and Gov. Jared Polis is celebrating progress on his campaign promises. Republicans are holding rallies to galvanize opposition and threatening recall elections for their opponents. And major policy shifts are starting to take shape as new laws […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Alice Madden, former Democratic leader at Colorado Capitol, joins crowded primary to unseat Cory Gardner
Alice Madden, a former Democratic leader in the Colorado House and an unsuccessful 2016 candidate for University of Colorado regent, is jumping into the crowded primary race to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner. Madden is aiming to set herself apart from the rest of the field as the most well-known woman in the race […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, News, Politics and Government, Water
Voters could decide on legal Colorado sports betting in November; tax revenue would go toward state’s water plan
Colorado voters are likely to be asked in November to legalize sports betting and approve a 10 percent tax on net proceeds from the wagering that would mainly go toward paying for the state’s water plan. House Bill 1327 was introduced Thursday afternoon with bipartisan sponsorship. It asks lawmakers to send the legalization and taxation […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Here’s what the crowded Democratic field for U.S. Senate is missing, and why it may soon change
The Democratic field of candidates for the U.S. Senate race expanded to roughly a dozen this week, but there is still something missing: a woman with a political track record in Colorado. That is expected to change soon. Alice Madden, a former state House Democratic leader, is expected to enter the race to unseat Republican […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government, Transportation
Snow tires, chains or AWD are required on I-70 when it’s snowy. But motorists could soon need them all winter long
Motorists are breaking the law if they try to traverse snow-covered mountain roads in Colorado in two-wheel drive vehicles without specialized tires, chains or other grip-control devices. But now a bill that’s nearing passage in the state legislature would make Colorado’s traction statute a snow-or-shine, all-winter-long policy on Interstate 70, mandating that from September through […]