State

“Sitting on a powder keg”: Opponents slam SB25-276 for shielding illegal aliens, risking federal funds

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A bill aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants in Colorado has created a firestorm at the Colorado State Capitol. Supporters say it’s about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone regardless of citizenship. Opponents, including Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, say it would protect dangerous criminals.

He says if the bill becomes law, his deputies will have to choose between enforcing state law and losing federal funding or enforcing federal law and facing thousands of dollars in fines.

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Denver vs. Aurora: Homelessness reports reveal two competing visions

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The first state-funded homelessness report to look at the crisis across Colorado came out on Monday, April 28, with an estimate that nearly 53,000 people are experiencing homelessness statewide.

The recommended solution sets it apart from another report published just a couple of weeks ago.

“Homelessness ends with a home,” The Colorado State of Homelessness Report 2024 urges in its call to action. “Every part of the homelessness response system — from street outreach to emergency shelter — must stay focused on connecting people to permanent housing as quickly as possible.”

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Final boarding call: Real ID enforcement begins for U.S. air travel May 7

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DENVER (KDVR) — The countdown is on for Colorado travelers. On May 7, passengers will need a Real ID symbol on their driver’s license or other form of acceptable identification to get through airport security.

Those without proper identification may face delays, additional screening and may not be allowed into the security checkpoint.

Final boarding call: Real ID enforcement begins for U.S. air travel May 7 Read More »

“Drawing the line”: School boards warn HB25-1312 oversteps on parental rights, brings policy chaos

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More than 70 school board members and education leaders have signed a letter urging lawmakers to reject HB25-1312, also known as the Kelly Loving Act.

Andrea Haitz, president of the District 51 Board of Education, warned that the bill “risks placing schools in an even more precarious legal position, especially when parents disagree on matters like gender identity or preferred names.”

Jason Jorgenson, secretary of the District 11 Board of Education and a lead organizer of the opposition letter, said HB25-1312 “risks encouraging youth to pursue a path of gender transition without appropriate parental involvement.”

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Colorado braces for special session over bloated Medicaid spending amid federal pressure

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There are now only seven days left in Colorado’s legislative session. But lawmakers and other state officials have for weeks been bracing for the possibility of coming back to the Capitol later this year to deal with potential federal cuts to Medicaid likely to be included in Congressional Republicans’ still-being-written budget proposal.

“There certainly are a lot of indicators that would suggest that we might end up having to come back in the event that there’s a dramatic cut to Medicaid,” state Sen. Judy Amabile, a Boulder Democrat and member of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee, said last month, as first reported in The Colorado Sun’s politics newsletter, The Unaffiliated.

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Was it the people’s town hall — or a political playbook in action?

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As constituents speak out in Greeley, political operatives sharpen their sights on Colorado’s 8th District.

On April 26, more than 100 residents gathered at the Moxi Theater in downtown Greeley for a two-hour town hall organized by progressive groups, including Vote Save America PAC. Billed as “The People’s Town Hall: Where is Gabe?” – the event gave attendees from across the political spectrum a chance to speak up about representation, leadership, and what they want to see from elected officials.

Was it the people’s town hall — or a political playbook in action? Read More »

Southern Baptist group urges Colorado pastors, members to oppose transgender rights bill

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The Center for Baptist Leadership, an organization associated with the Southern Baptist Church, is urging pastors and members in Colorado to speak out against a bill that establishes certain legal protections for transgender people.

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Clock runs out on social media bill: lawmakers shield themselves and Polis from historic override

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Without casting a single “no” vote, Colorado lawmakers on April 28 killed a bipartisan attempt to override Governor Jared Polis’ veto of a social media regulation bill. Just days earlier, the Senate had voted 29–6 to override the veto of Senate Bill 25-086, marking the state’s first successful chamber override of a policy bill in more than a decade. 

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Colorado legislature declines to override Jared Polis’ veto of social media bill after House caves

Approved, State, The Colorado Sun / / , ,

The Colorado legislature Monday declined to override Jared Polis’ veto of a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting children from the harms of social media, sparing the governor the embarrassment of the state’s first veto override in 14 years.

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