Top Democratic and Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday joined Gov. Jared Polis to unveil the broad strokes of a roughly $700 million state economic stimulus plan, most of which is set to go to “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects, including repairs to the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels and Interstate 70 bridges The shovel-ready projects will total $170 million, […]
Steve Fenberg
Posted inColoradans, Education, News, Politics and Government
Indigenous students say they need more from Colorado universities. An in-state tuition bill is a first step.
By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado Indigenous students with historical ties to Colorado could soon get in-state tuition at public colleges under a proposal that recently cleared its first legislative hurdle. Student advocates say the bill is part of a broader push on how Colorado schools need to address injustice against Indigenous people and ensure all […]
Posted inBusiness, COVID, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s governor wants a big, fast coronavirus stimulus package. State lawmakers worry about the details.
As the Colorado legislature returns to work on Tuesday, the No. 1 priority for Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic lawmakers will be passing an economic stimulus package to help lift the state out of the effects of the coronavirus crisis. But the question of how big the package should be and how fast the General […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
U.S. Census delays are threatening to upend Colorado’s new redistricting process
Delays by the U.S. Census Bureau in sharing detailed population data are threatening to upend Colorado’s new redistricting process ahead of the 2022 election, injecting uncertainty into a politically fraught undertaking that will affect the state’s political landscape for the next decade. Because of slowdowns related to COVID-19, the Trump administration’s failed efforts to add […]
Posted inHealth, Politics and Government
Here’s what to expect as the Colorado legislature starts its 2021 lawmaking term with a “soft open”
The Colorado General Assembly gavels to a start Wednesday, but leaders are calling it a “soft open.” The state legislature plans to work for three days before adjourning until Feb. 16 — a move designed to limit potential exposure to COVID-19 as case counts rise. The timeout punts the bulk of the lawmaking down the […]
Posted inCOVID, News, Politics and Government
Colorado legislature will delay its full 2021 return until at least February because of coronavirus
The Colorado legislature will delay its full return next year for at least a month because of the prevalence of coronavirus in the state. The General Assembly was originally set to reconvene for the 2021 lawmaking term on Jan. 13 and work uninterrupted into May. Instead, lawmakers will “gavel in” on that date and address […]
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 inBusiness, COVID, Culture, Food and Restaurants, News, Politics and Government
Will Colorado’s special legislative session save restaurants? “Probably not,” industry leader says.
Beast and Bottle’s owners know they could never sell enough take-out chicken pot pies to reap the full benefit of a new sales tax relief proposal that Colorado lawmakers are serving up for next week’s special legislative session. Under the coronavirus relief plan crafted by Democrats, restaurant owners would get to keep up to $2,000 […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Colorado lawmakers will return for special session to address coronavirus relief
The Colorado General Assembly is preparing for a special session that will provide more relief to those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, The Colorado Sun has learned. “We’ve been having conversations with the governor’s office about how to best provide economic support to families right now,” said Senate Majority leader Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Democrats hold their majorities at Colorado Capitol but GOP blunts a second blue wave
Democratic state lawmakers boosted their majority in the state Senate by one seat and maintained their strong numbers in the House after balloting ended Tuesday. But new House leadership, 16 new lawmakers, a continuing pandemic and the budget fallout from a voter-approved tax cut may make for challenging times in the 2021 General Assembly. Senate […]