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Polis’ $10M ‘bridge to nowhere’ sparks public backlash
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Polis’ $10M ‘bridge to nowhere’ sparks public backlash

By John Frank | Axios To celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday, Gov. Jared Polis wants to build a pedestrian bridge to nowhere. Why it matters: The project — financed with public and private dollars — is generating significant opposition from those who say it would serve little purpose and upset the aesthetics of downtown Denver. Driving the news: Polis is the chief promoter of the overpass to connect the state Capitol grounds with the state-owned Veterans Park, just across Lincoln Street. He is soliciting donations from private entities, ranging from $10,000 to $1.5 million, including from interests with business in front of his administration. The bridge is set for completion in summer 2026. Yes, but: The design renderings for the 11,000-square-...
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Colorado lawmakers hike fees to fill budget gaps
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Colorado lawmakers hike fees to fill budget gaps

By John Frank | Axios Denver If you own a car, run a restaurant or go to court, expect to pay more in fees in coming years. Why it matters: The Democratic majority at the state Capitol is using fees to fill spending gaps in an austere budget year — even though it works against their promises to reduce Coloradans' cost of living. Catch up quick: The small-dollar increases are easy to overlook, but a handful of bills would generate big money for the state. READ THE FULL STORY AT AXIOS DENVER
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Republican agenda gets rejected at Colorado capitol
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Republican agenda gets rejected at Colorado capitol

By John Frank | Axios Denver GOP state senators started this legislative session with four bills they say would save Colorado families $4,500 a year by cutting regulations and fees. Why it matters: The legislation was doomed to fail in a Democratic-controlled Legislature. But it could force Democrats to take positions in favor of taxes and fees, which could haunt them on the campaign trail. State of play: Three of the GOP bills are dead and the other is not expected to advance. READ THE FULL STORY AT AXIOS DENVER
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Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom
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Approved, Axios Denver, Local

Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom

By Esteban L. Hernandez | Axios Denver Obtaining a concealed carry permit in Denver, already home to some of the state's strictest gun laws, will soon require additional steps. The big picture: A state law taking effect July 1 will add new requirements for obtaining concealed carry licenses, including mandating eight hours of in-person instruction and passing a live-fire test, where a person must shoot a minimum of 50 rounds. Why it matters: The new law will add barriers for responsible gun owners, including costlier training for a permit type that's grown in popularity over the past five years, as Colorado's gun laws grow increasingly restrictive. Yes, but: The city's chief compliance officer, Mary Dulacki, tells us she doesn't presume the new req...
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New law lets Colorado colleges cut checks to student athletes
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

New law lets Colorado colleges cut checks to student athletes

By Alayna Alvarez | Axios Denver Colorado universities can now put student athletes on the payroll for their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights — but what they're paid is off-limits to the public. Why it matters: The move aligns Colorado with a federal settlement (House v. NCAA) that will soon force colleges to share sports revenue with athletes. But it also shields those contracts from public records requests, raising bipartisan alarms about transparency. Catch up quick: The NCAA and its five power conferences voted last spring to let schools directly pay athletes — a seismic shift for a league that has long sought to maintain the amateur nature of college sports, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes. Driving the news: Last week, Gov. Jared Polis signed C...
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Health care costs spike for undocumented immigrants
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Approved, Axios Denver, State

Health care costs spike for undocumented immigrants

By John Frank | Axios Denver A Colorado program that provides taxpayer-funded health care to unauthorized immigrants is seeing costs spike more than 600% after the latest influx. Why it matters: The benefits that Colorado offers to people living in the country illegally are in the spotlight amid a federal crackdown on sanctuary states and cities. How it works: A 2022 law dubbed Cover All Coloradans provides the equivalent of Medicaid and children's health insurance coverage to those who would otherwise qualify if they were citizens. READ THE FULL STORY AT AXIOS DENVER
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