coloradopolitics.com

Legislators push to reintroduce wolverines in Colorado, insisting process unlike wolves

22Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Legislators push to reintroduce wolverines in Colorado, insisting process unlike wolves

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics The North American wolverine — the animal, not the X-Men character — could return to Colorado. Lawmakers are pushing a proposal to authorize the reintroduction of the animal, maintaining it is a completely different set of circumstances than program that brought back wolves to Colorado. The proponents behind Senate Bill 171 also said wolverines would be less destructive. The bill authorizes the reintroduction contingent upon the federal government designating wolverines as a nonessential "experimental population" under what's called the 10(j) rule. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS

State Rep. Leslie Herod granted protective order after judge finds ‘sexual assault’ claims are not credible

21Mar

By nadiaNo Comments

coloradopolitics.com, State

State Rep. Leslie Herod granted protective order after judge finds ‘sexual assault’ claims are not credible

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics After a year of social media accusations that she was a "sexual predator," Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, has been granted a restraining order against the spokesperson for state Treasurer Dave Young with a judge ruling the evidence does not support the claims. The restraining order is against Sheena Kadi, the public information officer and communications director for Young. Kadi is a longtime Democratic political operative and the the vice chair of public relations and marketing for the Colorado Democratic Party. Kadi did not respond to a request for comment. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS

Douglas County aims to challenge Colorado’s sanctuary laws amid illegal immigration surge in Denver

20Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Douglas County aims to challenge Colorado’s sanctuary laws amid illegal immigration surge in Denver

By Kyla Pearce | Colorado Politics Douglas County's commissioners are eyeing a legal challenge to Colorado's "sanctuary" laws amid a surge in illegal immigration that has already cost Denver — the epicenter of the crisis — tens of millions of dollars. They also advanced a proposed ordinance that bars commercial buses from unloading passengers "other than at a planned and scheduled documented destination," a clear attempt to stop immigrants from arriving at the county's doors unannounced. In a resolution, the commissioners on Tuesday directed the county attorney to "pursue legal action to permit the county to fully cooperate with federal law enforcement." READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS

Legislators at odds on broadband right-of-way fees

17Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Legislators at odds on broadband right-of-way fees

By Ed Sealover | Colorado Politics While state broadband officials ready their action plan to expand fiber to 99% of Colorado, a dispute over the amount of fees that telecommunications companies must pay to install lines along public rights of way has stalled dueling legislative efforts to define those fees. A bipartisan quartet of legislators introduced Senate Bill 91 just two weeks into the 2024 session on Jan. 24 at the behest of Colorado Counties Inc. and rural telecom companies. The bill lets the Colorado Department of Transportation impose a one-time permitting fee to lay broadband fiber along rights of way but prohibits it from charging annual fees — reversing a policy enacted in December by the Colorado Transportation Commission. Meanwhile, the Joint Technology Committee c...

Vision Collision: Cherry Creek ponders over super-sized project

16Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, Denver Metro

Vision Collision: Cherry Creek ponders over super-sized project

By Mark Samuelson | Colorado Politics Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood, with a shopping district that was once known for its quirky charms, has gone through a remarkable run of commercial and residential building projects over the past two decades, with more to come. And that has residents worried. A few decades ago, the small area’s boutiques, bistros and galleries were wrapped by shaded neighborhoods, where people could find everything from custom homes to small bungalows that a schoolteacher or gardener might afford. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS

Colorado programs for older residents face major funding shortfalls

14Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado programs for older residents face major funding shortfalls

By Thelma Grimes | Colorado Politics Funding for community-based programs to help Colorado’s older residents receive daily necessities, such as meals and transportation services, is dwindling, and the future looks bleak, advocates said. The Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provides services to more than 56,000 seniors over 60 annually. The federal Older Americans Act and the Colorado Department of Human Services State Unit on Aging support the program. Statewide, there is a growing waiting list of older residents in need of services with AAA, which estimated it needs an annual budget of about $29.5 million just to maintain current levels. The state’s AAA program operated using a $15 million homestead grant between 2019 and 202...

Saying no to veto, Gov. Jared Polis signs bill exempting lawmakers from open meetings law

14Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Saying no to veto, Gov. Jared Polis signs bill exempting lawmakers from open meetings law

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Just hours after the bill reached his desk, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a measure that would exempt lawmakers from the state's open meetings law, ultimately saying the matter deals with separations of powers between his office and the Colorado General Assembly. The law is effective immediately. In a signing statement, the governor said he accepted Senate Bill 24-157 to "provide clarity to the Legislature as it seeks to resolve ambiguities around their own conduct under the Colorado Open Meetings Law." Polis noted the bill applies only to the legislature, not the executive or judicial branches. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS

Bill to legally allow Colorado lawmakers to violate parts of open meeting laws, in place since 1972, heads to governor

12Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Bill to legally allow Colorado lawmakers to violate parts of open meeting laws, in place since 1972, heads to governor

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Despite a last-ditch effort by some House lawmakers on Monday, a bill that will exempt the Colorado General Assembly from following parts of the open meetings law established in 1972 is now in the hands of Gov. Jared Polis. What Polis thinks of the measure, which the House passed on a 39-22 vote, remains unknown. The state's 1972 Sunshine Law declares that it is a "matter of statewide concern and the policy of this state that the formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.” But lawmakers at the state Capitol, who complain the law hinders their ability to have private conversations about public policy and bills, including through text or email with their colleagues, seek to rewrite the law. READ TH...

Colorado lawmakers eye regulation of dating apps to prevent assault, rape

12Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado lawmakers eye regulation of dating apps to prevent assault, rape

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics The number of couples who have met on a dating app or website has skyrocketed since online dating services first debuted over two decades ago. While many find happy and healthy relationships through the online services, others looking for love have not been so lucky. Currently, Colorado is ranked as the fifth-most dangerous state for online dating, pushing legislators to propose a comprehensive bill that will provide its citizens some peace of mind. The ranking took into account data, including cybercrime stats, rates of romantic fraud, and violent crime stemming from online interactions. Wading into issue, Senate Bill 011 requires online dating services to create and publish safety policies, including information on whether ...

Colorado House Democrats push concealed weapons training bill forward

11Mar

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coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado House Democrats push concealed weapons training bill forward

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics With Democrats calling it common sense legislation to get gun owners better educated, Republicans argued last week that the proposed changes to Colorado's concealed carry permitting process infringes on Second Amendment rights. In its second reading on the House floor on March 8, House Bill 1174 mandates that all concealed carry permit training classes must be conducted in person with a curriculum to cover firearm safety, storage, state and federal gun laws, and self-defense and de-escalation tactics. Applicants must pass a written exam and live-fire exercise; renewals require a refresher course. In a vote along party lines, the bill passed through the Committee of the Whole and will proceed to its third reading before making its...