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Shooting of man standing at door not covered under ‘Make My Day’ immunity, Colorado Supreme Court rules
coloradopolitics.com, State

Shooting of man standing at door not covered under ‘Make My Day’ immunity, Colorado Supreme Court rules

By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics A defendant cannot avail himself of the immunity Colorado law affords those who use lethal force against home intruders, the state Supreme Court ruled on Monday, because his victim was not inside any "dwelling" when he fired the shots. Joseph M. Howell stands accused of attempted murder and other charges. In February 2023, a man allegedly came to the ground-floor apartment in Denver where Howell lived with his mother. The man was reportedly acting "wild" and "threatening." At one point, the man stepped onto the concrete pad separating apartment complex's yard from Howell's door. From the apartment, Howell shot the man in the face through a barred, closed security door. In response to the criminal charges, Howell invoked Colorado's "Make My Day...
Ranchers press CWD officials for answers in daylong summit on wolves
coloradopolitics.com, State

Ranchers press CWD officials for answers in daylong summit on wolves

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Jeff Davis, director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, walked into something of a wolf's den on Saturday. Nearly 100 people — ranchers, state and local elected officials, conflict resolution specialists, nonprofit staffers from pro-wolf groups, outfitters, media and representatives of the wildlife agency — traveled to the ranch of Don and Kim Gittleson, just north of Walden, to talk about the issue that has consumed people's energies particularly after the state officially introduced wolves in December. The Gittleson's ranch and Jackson County have been ground zero for attacks on livestock and working cattle dogs. In four years, the state  wildlife agency reported that 23 cattle, sheep and working dogs have been killed or ...
Why Colorado Safeway stores wouldn’t be run by Kroger if merger goes through
coloradopolitics.com, Local

Why Colorado Safeway stores wouldn’t be run by Kroger if merger goes through

By Bernadette Berdychowski | Colorado Politics Colorado has been one of the most vocal states against the proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons — the operators of the state’s King Soopers and Safeway stores. Amidst pressure from states such as Colorado and the federal government, Kroger and Albertsons announced in April it would divest 100 more stores than originally planned to ease worries from regulators that their $24.6 billion deal would harm American consumers. But the grocers' had a unique agreement for its stores in the Centennial State. Colorado is one of two states — the other being Arizona — where Kroger plans to license the Safeway brand to another grocer. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Colorado Libertarians don’t plan to submit national party’s presidential ticket to state’s ballot
coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Libertarians don’t plan to submit national party’s presidential ticket to state’s ballot

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Colorado's Libertarian Party doesn't plan to submit paperwork putting the party's presidential and vice presidential nominees on the state's general election ballot after determining the national ticket doesn't share the state party's core values, a party spokesman said. That could change if Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver and his running mate, Mike ter Maat, change their positions on numerous issues, the spokesman told Colorado Politics. As things stand, however, the state's largest minor political party is leaving its options open — and could nominate someone else or list "none of the above" as the Libertarian candidate for president on Colorado ballots. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Jeffco GOP chief aims to force vote to remove Dave Williams as Colorado Republican Party chairman
coloradopolitics.com, State

Jeffco GOP chief aims to force vote to remove Dave Williams as Colorado Republican Party chairman

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Colorado Republican Chairman Dave Williams faced mounting calls to step down Saturday amid a push by the GOP chair of one of the state's largest counties to oust him from the top party position. "It is an aggressive move, but what Dave has been doing for the past few months is just unacceptable anymore," Jefferson County GOP Chairwoman Nancy Pallozzi told Colorado Politics after launching a petition on Friday to force a vote to fire Williams. "He is not speaking on behalf of the Republican Party. He is speaking for himself," Pallozzi said. Williams told Colorado Politics he isn't going anywhere. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
In competitive Colorado House and Senate primary races, fundraising is strong
coloradopolitics.com, State

In competitive Colorado House and Senate primary races, fundraising is strong

By Marianne Goodland  | Colorado Politics The latest campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State show hot fundraising for several primary races for the state House and Senate. As of May 29, the hottest race is the Democratic Senate District 19 primary contest, where candidates are looking to succeed Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. The contest is between Rep. Lindsay Daugherty and Westminster City Councilman Obi Ezeadi, with the fundraising now neck-and-neck. Daugherty has raised $137,548 as of May 29; Ezeadi has brought in $136,540. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Poll: Jeff Hurd holds wide lead in Colorado’s 3rd District Republican primary
coloradopolitics.com, State

Poll: Jeff Hurd holds wide lead in Colorado’s 3rd District Republican primary

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Grand Junction Republican Jeff Hurd holds a comfortable lead in the six-way GOP primary in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District as ballots go in the mail to voters, new polling shows. Hurd, an attorney and first-time candidate, was the choice of 27% of the likely Republican primary voters polled, with none of his rivals breaking out of single digits, according to results of a co/efficient survey conducted this week and made available exclusively to Colorado Politics. Just over half of those surveyed said they were undecided. Covering most of the Western Slope and parts of Southern Colorado, the Republican-leaning district has been represented for two terms by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who moved across the state to another district ea...
Under Colorado’s ‘hands-free’ device law, it cannot be primary reason for law enforcement stop
coloradopolitics.com, State

Under Colorado’s ‘hands-free’ device law, it cannot be primary reason for law enforcement stop

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics Under a new "hands-free" law, Colorado drivers will be prohibited from using cellphones while driving, but it is a secondary offense, meaning it cannot be the primary reason to be pulled over. Next year, Colorado will join 27 other states in adopting a "hands-free" law, prohibiting the use of electronic devices like cellphones while driving.      Under Senate Bill 065, law enforcement officers can't stop a driver solely because they're using a phone while driving. Instead, using an electronic device while driving is classified as a secondary offense, meaning drivers can only be cited for it if they are pulled over for something else, such as reckless driving.  Drivers are permitted to use their phones while opera...
Proposed Denver slaughterhouse ban could cost Colorado economy up to $861M, study shows
coloradopolitics.com, State

Proposed Denver slaughterhouse ban could cost Colorado economy up to $861M, study shows

By Noah Festenstein | Colorado Politics If Denver’s ballot measure to ban slaughterhouses is approved by voters in November, it could cost Colorado’s economy up to $861 million and impact nearly 3,000 jobs, according to a study by Colorado State University’s Regional Economic Development Institute. Denver voters will be asked, “Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning January 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the City; and requiring the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?” Pro-Animal Future, a group that works to protect animal rights, introduced the ...
Denver councilman demands investigation into alleged political interference in police, fire hirings
coloradopolitics.com, Local

Denver councilman demands investigation into alleged political interference in police, fire hirings

By Alexander Edwards | Colorado Politics Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn has called for an investigation into the allegations that Mayor Mike Johnston pressured the Civil Service Commission to ignore “red flags” in applicants to Denver’s police and fire departments The Commission's five-member board said it made the decision to release Executive Director Niecy Murray on May 16 and had arranged a meeting to inform her of that decision. Murray, however, held a press conference Tuesday morning in which she made her allegations public.  Flynn said some of her claims are "lacking specificity," and cites that as his primary motivator in calling for an investigation. Murray should "name names, tell us when, what was done and who recommended lowering acceptable test scor...