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Wildlife officials sued for skipping NEPA regs to release wolves in Colorado
coloradopeakpolitics.com, Commentary, State

Wildlife officials sued for skipping NEPA regs to release wolves in Colorado

By Colorado Peak Politics Radical big city environmentalists have been using federal red tape against westerners for decades to kick us off the public lands in our backyard and deprive us of every livelihood it provides, from natural resources to recreation. It’s past time for some payback. So thank you Colorado Conservation Alliance for filing a lawsuit against the state and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to follow those same rules and regulations in their zealous pursuit of turning loose apex predators loose in the high country. The Fence Post reports from the lawsuit: The defendants did not conduct the environmental review process under NEPA for the action of taking an apex predator (the gray wolf) from a population hundreds of miles away and introducing...
Arapahoe Basin set to be sold to new owners before end of 2024
denvergazette.com, State

Arapahoe Basin set to be sold to new owners before end of 2024

By Spencer McKee | Denver Gazette In breaking news that was released on the morning of February 5, it was announced that Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is set to be sold after 27 years of ownership under Dream Unlimited Corporation. Alterra Mountain Company, known for their popular 'Ikon Pass,' will purchase the popular slopesport destination, with the deal set to close later in 2024. The deal is subject to closing conditions, which include regulatory approvals. According to a press release on the matter, COO of Arapahoe Basin Al Henceroth will continue his role at the ski area. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Colorado Speaker faces criticism for turning away families of Hamas victims, while Senate welcomes them
State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Speaker faces criticism for turning away families of Hamas victims, while Senate welcomes them

By The Lobby The Speaker of the Colorado House has come under fire for refusing to allow families of hostages and victims, who had family members kidnapped by Hamas, into the House chamber. It is alleged that pressure from radical pro-Hamas Democrats influenced this decision, while the Colorado Senate welcomed these families with open arms. Seven families, who had flown all the way from Israel to share their heartbreaking stories with lawmakers, visited the Colorado Capitol on Monday. They came seeking support and assistance to bring their loved ones back home from Gaza. Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican and end Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Commerce City Democrat speaking before the Colorado Senate February 5, 2024. Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican and end Dafna...
State lawmakers weighing bill to allow law enforcement to cooperate with ICE
State, thelobby-co.com

State lawmakers weighing bill to allow law enforcement to cooperate with ICE

By The Lobby Republican lawmakers in Colorado are making efforts to overturn a controversial piece of immigration policy in the state. House Bill 24-1128 would reinstate a 2006 law that allowed peace officers to communicate with federal immigration enforcement officers if they have reasonable grounds to believe that a detainee is violating federal immigration laws. In 2013, Colorado lawmakers repealed Senate Bill 06-090, which resulted in local law enforcement being prohibited from providing personal information about suspected illegal immigrants to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), among other restrictions on collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE officers. This law, along with others like it passed by Democrats, prevents ICE officers from r...
Hundreds of Golden Retrievers brave heavy snow to meet up for annual event
State, thelobby-co.com

Hundreds of Golden Retrievers brave heavy snow to meet up for annual event

By The Lobby This past weekend, Golden, Colo., transformed into a magical winter wonderland for hundreds of fanatical dog owners, as thousands of golden retrievers gathered for the city's annual "Goldens in Golden" event. Despite the heavy snowfall, attendees were determined to capture the iconic "Goldens in Golden" picture under the arch, making it a must-have moment. One adventurous duo, Charlie Alfrey and his dog, Boss, embarked on an epic road trip all the way from Saint Petersburg, Florida to the snowy streets of Golden, Colorado. Charlie couldn't contain his excitement as he shared, "[It's] his first trip to the snow and to see this golden festival. He's super excited. And so are we!" READ THE FULL STORY AT THE LOBBY
Rep. Boebert earns temporary restraining order against her ex-husband, Jayson
State, The Colorado Sun

Rep. Boebert earns temporary restraining order against her ex-husband, Jayson

The order applies to the Republican congresswoman and the couple’s three minor children. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday to make the order permanent. By Sandra Fish | The Colorado Sun U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert asked for and received a temporary restraining order Friday against her ex-husband, Jayson Boebert. The order also covers three of the former couple’s four sons.  In requesting the order, the Republican congresswoman filled out a checklist alleging incidents ranging from name calling and harassing phone calls to “abusing children in household” between 2022 and Friday. The most recent incident alleged in the chart was Friday, when the congresswoman claimed there was an instance of “threat by damage to property.” Lauren Boebert indicated on the form that police w...
Colorado is so behind on processing food assistance benefits that it’s under a federal corrective action plan
State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado is so behind on processing food assistance benefits that it’s under a federal corrective action plan

By Jennifer Brown | The Colorado Sun Colorado is so slow at processing applications for food assistance that it ranks in the bottom five states and is now under a corrective action plan with the federal government. While some counties in the state are meeting federal requirements, others are far behind, which means Colorado’s average processing times for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are among the worst in the country.  Arapahoe, Denver and Weld counties are processing more than 90% of new applications within required timeframes, but El Paso and Jefferson counties, for example, are seeing success rates around only 50%, according to data obtained by The Colorado Sun.  When it comes to processing renewals on time, Pueblo and El Paso counties ar...
Colorado Senate Ag Committee introduces ‘Agriculture and Natural Resources Public Engagement Requirement’ bill
State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Senate Ag Committee introduces ‘Agriculture and Natural Resources Public Engagement Requirement’ bill

By The Lobby In a recent legislative committee meeting, the Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee discussed Senate Bill 24-026, a bill that proposes the renewal of the in-person public engagement requirement for members of the Parks and Wildlife Commission in the Department of Natural Resources, as well as the addition of the same requirement for members of the Agriculture Commission and the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Democrat from District 8, aims to enhance government transparency and establish trust between these important boards and the constituents they represent. PRIME SPONSORS Sen. Dylan Roberts Sen. Perry Will Rep. Barbara McLachlan Rep. Marc Catlin Sen. Roberts emphasized the ...
Keith King, a titan of school choice in Colorado education, dies at 75
coloradopolitics.com, State

Keith King, a titan of school choice in Colorado education, dies at 75

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Keith King, a businessman, education leader and former legislator who served in the state House and Senate, as well as on the Colorado Springs council, has died after a long illness. He was 75. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Gov. Jared Polis, who, like King, has been an advocate for charter schools, on Saturday ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff until the day of King's memorial. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Unemployment Claims in Colorado Rise, Reflecting National Trend
State, thelobby-co.com

Unemployment Claims in Colorado Rise, Reflecting National Trend

By The Lobby Unemployment claims in Colorado saw an increase last week, mirroring the national trend, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The data released by the Labor Department on Thursday revealed that initial filings for unemployment benefits in the state rose to 2,396 in the week ending January 27, up from 2,312 the previous week. This rise in new jobless claims serves as a proxy for layoffs and is indicative of the challenges faced by workers in Colorado. This increase in unemployment claims is part of a broader national trend. Across the United States, unemployment claims reached 224,000 last week, an increase of 9,000 claims from the previous week on a seasonally adjusted basis. Oregon experienced the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims soa...