Democratic state lawmakers behind a law requiring companies to include a salary range in any job posting are eyeing changes to the policy following reports that out-of-state employers are refusing to hire Coloradans to work for them remotely because of the provision. But the lawmakers and other proponents of the 2019 legislation aren’t interested in […]
Kevin Van Winkle
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers’ effort to curb illegal use of high-potency marijuana by teens is stoking privacy concerns
State lawmakers and medical marijuana patient advocates are concerned that a bill at the Colorado state Capitol to regulate cannabis concentrates, in part by tracking purchases, could compromise patient privacy. Colorado uses “seed-to-sale” software known as METRC to track cannabis production from the moment a seed is planted to when it’s harvested, turned into a […]
Posted inEconomy, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Democrats want to use one of TABOR’s most effective tax-halting mechanisms for themselves
One of the most effective parts of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights when it comes to stopping tax-raising ballot questions in Colorado is a requirement that voters be informed, IN CAPITAL LETTERS, about the eye-popping sum they are deciding whether to allow the government to collect. “SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED $766,700,000 ANNUALLY FOR A […]
Posted inHousing, News, Politics and Government
Colorado cities can’t force developers to build affordable housing. Democratic lawmakers want to change that.
More than two decades ago, Telluride’s leaders were grappling with the growing pains of a booming resort industry. Housing prices shot up, forcing many workers to live outside of San Miguel County. The town responded by passing an ordinance in 1994 requiring developers to create affordable housing for a portion of the new workers generated […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
How high will the blue wave crest in Colorado? Democrats are predicting big wins once again.
In the final days of the 2020 campaign, Lisa Cutter is not taking anything for granted. The state representative is the first Democrat to win her western Jefferson County district, part of a Democratic wave in 2018 that gave the party control of state government and the lawmaking process. Cutter feels the pressure to win […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Democrats dominate campaign fundraising and spend big to build majority in the Colorado legislature
Democrats are outspending Republicans in state legislative races, and super PACs are pouring in $10 million, as the majority party looks poised to make gains in both chambers. A few of the competitive races are exceeding the $1 million mark with the most expensive contest — a state Senate seat in Adams County — topping […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Republicans stopped Colorado’s vaccine bill last year with delay tactics. Will they work again?
They asked for bills to be read at length. They gave a history of the man-made chemicals perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl. There was even a request for an amendment to dedicate a bill to the 1980s TV show “Magnum, P.I.” Republicans in the Colorado legislature deployed filibuster tactics Friday in an attempt — for the second […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Taxpayers are only covering Democrats’ legal fees in a partisan Colorado legislature lawsuit. Republicans say that’s unfair.
Colorado lawmakers are sparring over the use of taxpayer money to pay for legal costs in a partisan lawsuit confronting what both sides say is a critical question about the state constitution. The hangup: Taxpayers are only paying for the Democrats’ representation, to the tune of about $40,000 and counting, more than half of which […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado Senate Democrats, with their new majority, show early splits; statehouse Republicans search for a path forward
The new Democratic majorities at the state Capitol picked their leaders in elections Thursday that showed early divisions between the moderates and more liberal lawmakers. In the state Senate, where the party took control for the first time in four years, Pueblo Sen. Leroy Garcia unanimously won the job as the chamber’s president when it […]