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In fix to vet shortage, HB 1131 will graduate more vets, CSU dean says as measure advances in Senate
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In fix to vet shortage, HB 1131 will graduate more vets, CSU dean says as measure advances in Senate

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Veterinarians are in extremely short supply in all four corners of Colorado. The solution? The authors of House Bill 25-1131 say, ironically, a veterinarian shortage can be fixed through the graduation of more veterinarians. "We are seeing a shortage of veterinarians all over rural Colorado, and the state, quite frankly," Republican Sen. Byron Pelton said. The bill was termed a free-market solution to the state’s growing veterinary shortage by Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson and Democrat Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, who ushered it through the Colorado House on a 65-0 vote of the lower chamber. The bill was similarly advanced Monday out of the Senate's Education Committee on a unanimous vote and is being fast-tracked through the upper chamber ...
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HB 1096 asks local governments to adopt ‘instant permitting’ for residential solar projects
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Law Week Colorado, State

HB 1096 asks local governments to adopt ‘instant permitting’ for residential solar projects

By Michael Rummel | Law Week Colorado A bill that would require local municipalities and counties in Colorado to implement an automated permitting process for residential solar panel installation passed its first committee hearing, but several of the aye votes for the measure came with reservations.  House Bill 25-1096, dubbed “Automated Permits for Clean Energy Technology,” was brought to the Colorado House Energy and Environment Committee by Democratic Reps. Lesley Smith and Kyle Brown. It has one prime sponsor on the Colorado Senate side, Democratic Sen. Matt Ball.  “HB-1096 seeks to remove the red tape to help Colorado reach its climate goals by asking local governments to adopt instant permitting solutions for residential solar projects,” Brown said in the hearing. “In 2...
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Citing overreach by Democrats, Sen. Mark Baisley becomes second Republican to enter race for governor
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State, The Colorado Sun, Top Stories

Citing overreach by Democrats, Sen. Mark Baisley becomes second Republican to enter race for governor

By Bente Birkeland | The Colorado Sun The list of Republicans aiming for Colorado’s top office is growing. Two current statehouse Republicans have officially entered the race for governor in 2026, when Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is term limited. Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since Bill Owens handily defeated a Democrat in 2002.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Colorado Senate committee advances bipartisan bill to repeal parts of Farmworkers Bill of Rights
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Senate committee advances bipartisan bill to repeal parts of Farmworkers Bill of Rights

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A bill seeking to repeal a portion of the 2021 Farmworkers Bill of Rights cleared its first hurdle last week when the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee advanced the measure. Senate Bill 128 won a bipartisan 5-2 vote, with two Democrats and three Republicans in favor and two Democrats voting against it. It now heads to the full Senate for debate. The short hearing showed that divisions remain between moderate and progressive Democrats, with a compromise deal collapsing just before debate. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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New bill would boost safety, background-check requirements for TNCs like Lyft, Uber
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State, The Sum & Substance

New bill would boost safety, background-check requirements for TNCs like Lyft, Uber

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance Seeking to protect Uber and Lyft customers, a group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled a bill Friday that would boost steps companies must take to perform background checks on drivers and ensure unauthorized persons are not picking up rides in place of those drivers. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Jenny Willford of Northglenn and Meg Froelich of Greenwood Village, also would ensure transportation-network-company drivers work no more than 10-hour shifts and would require each ride to be continuously recorded via video and audio. It also would allow people injured by violations of the bill to file civil lawsuits against a TNC or a driver, and it would make violations of the proposed law deceptive trade practices under the Colorado Consumer Protectio...
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U.S. Rep. Boebert announces March mobile office hours in 4th District
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

U.S. Rep. Boebert announces March mobile office hours in 4th District

By Rocky Mountain Voice Mobile office hours will be offered in March at eight locations throughout the 4th District for constituents to interact with the office staff of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. The mobile office hours are intended to offer services to constituents needing in-person guidance, in convenient locations in addition to the Eaton and Castle Rock office locations. “Our congressional mobile office hours provide an opportunity for constituents from across the 4th District to get the assistance they need from our staffers who can help them in a variety of ways,” Boebert said. “Meeting Coloradans where they are is a critical part of the work our office does, and I know our mobile office hours will be a huge help to constituents of all backgrounds and locations.” Among th...
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State Senate celebrates 3/3 — a tip of the hat to the original 303 area code — in kickoff of ‘Buy Colorado Week’
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

State Senate celebrates 3/3 — a tip of the hat to the original 303 area code — in kickoff of ‘Buy Colorado Week’

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice At one time in Colorado, whether you lived in the high country, the flatlands or anywhere in between, your area code was 303. Today, there are five area codes in the state, but Senate Joint Resolution 25-008 passed Monday honors the history of the one area code and of Colorado business. "Today is 3/3, or better yet, 3/03," Democrat Sen. Jeff Bridges said in announcing the bill on the floor Monday. "What day better than today to celebrate Colorado's small businesses." The resolution naming March 3, 2025, as "Buy Colorado Day" and March 3-10 as "Buy Colorado Week" notes the 700,000 small businesses employing 1.2 million and the nine Fortune 500 companies calling the state home. The resolution fails to note the state has one of the most chall...
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Colorado Senate passes bill to extend public’s wait time for records requests
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Senate passes bill to extend public’s wait time for records requests

By Thelma Grimes | Colorado Politics A measure allowing Colorado government entities to take even longer to process public records requested by residents passed in a 26-7 vote in the Senate on Wednesday. Currently, public entities must respond to Colorado Open Records Act requests within three business days and within seven for “extenuating circumstances.” If approved, SB 77 will give records custodians five days to respond to CORA requests and 10 days under "extenuating circumstances." News media would be exempt from the new rules, keeping current deadlines in place. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Does Colorado get back more or less than it spends in federal taxes?
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State, The Colorado Sun

Does Colorado get back more or less than it spends in federal taxes?

By John Ingold | The Colorado Sun If you ever feel like you may be in a one-sided relationship with the federal government come tax season, there’s a chance you’re right. It’s not you, it’s them. The focus lately on federal spending cuts has highlighted the importance that massive amounts of federal money play in all 50 states. But there’s another perspective to this issue: For some states, the amount they receive back in federal funding is less than what they pay in taxes. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Rep. Crank announces first 5th District tele-town hall on March 5
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Crank announces first 5th District tele-town hall on March 5

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice The office of Congressman Jeff Crank, R-Colo. Springs, a freshman member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his first tele-town hall meeting. Crank represents the 5th District in El Paso County, a district which has never been represented by a Democrat. An email announcing the tele-town hall to constituents indicated it would take place at 7 p.m. (Mountain) Wednesday, March 5. Those attending will be able to ask questions of the congressman. “This will be a great opportunity to connect with the constituents of Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, take their questions, hear their concerns and discuss President Trump’s address to the nation," Crank said in a statement. "Make sure to tune in!” A link at crank.house.gov/l...
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