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Task force on disability rights recommends major changes to Colorado law
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State, The Sum & Substance

Task force on disability rights recommends major changes to Colorado law

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance Following three months of deliberations, a task force studying the rights of Coloradans with disabilities has softened some recommendations to boost awards in antidiscrimination lawsuits but still offered proposals likely to stir significant business opposition. Among the task force’s recommendations are to let plaintiffs in disability-related antidiscrimination suits seek emotional damages, to replace existing caps on noneconomic damages and to extend to three years the timeline for filing such legal action. The recommendations — along with about 50 less controversial suggestions involving housing accessibility, outdoor recreation and government services — are likely to end up in a bill during this legislative session. During sometimes com...
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As White House calls for federal funding freeze, Colorado Democrats label it ‘reckless’ and ‘illegal’
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The Center Square, State

As White House calls for federal funding freeze, Colorado Democrats label it ‘reckless’ and ‘illegal’

By Elyse Apel | The Center Square Colorado Democrats have been quick to react to an order from the White House Office of Management and Budget temporarily pausing federal funding to “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance.” Federal financial assistance includes grants and loans, though the order does limit the pause to those programs that have been “implicated” by President Donald Trump’s executive orders from the past week, “including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE CENTER SQUARE
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Coloradans must opt in for TABOR refunds when filing taxes
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kdvr.com, State

Coloradans must opt in for TABOR refunds when filing taxes

By Gabrielle Franklin | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News Monday marked the first day the IRS could start accepting and processing your tax return. Colorado filers need to keep an eye out for one key step to make sure they get all the money they are eligible for back in their wallets. Coloradans are set to get TABOR refunds after they file their taxes this year, but the state is reminding residents that they have to opt in. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
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Junk fees are putting Coloradans in debt. Legislation may be coming to help
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State, Westword

Junk fees are putting Coloradans in debt. Legislation may be coming to help

By Catie Cheshire | Westword Jade Smith's Housing Choice Voucher covers rent at her Denver apartment and a utility stipend for her Xcel Energy bills, but she still owes her complex over $200. That's because Smith's apartment complex, like many others in Denver, charges "junk" fees beyond utilities and rent. According to Smith, her complex charges her $180 per month for line items such as pest control, real estate tax, common area maintenance and processing fees. Because Smith is still working through the paperwork to establish a disability income due to her spinal fusion and post-traumatic stress, she only makes $224 per month doing odd jobs. The lease for her southeast Denver apartment only hints at those charges through a clause saying she may be charged for “other” service...
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Four things to know about school choice enrollment in Colorado
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gazette.com, State

Four things to know about school choice enrollment in Colorado

By Eric Young | The Gazette Colorado families are able to attend any public school in the state for free, regardless of where they live through open enrollment. The application process for school choice is now underway for the 2025-2026 school year in El Paso County and here are four things families should know when applying. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
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Colorado’s unemployment rate rises to 4.4%, the highest in three years
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State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado’s unemployment rate rises to 4.4%, the highest in three years

By Tamara Chuang | The Colorado Sun Colorado’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4% last month, up one-tenth of a percentage point and the highest in three years. At the same time, there are fewer job openings and fewer people filing to start a new business.  While that seems like the opposite direction state officials prefer, there were some positives and additional context to better understand what happened, Secretary of State Jena Griswold said during a news conference Monday.  “Job and GDP growth numbers are encouraging and indicate the economy is stabilizing after several years of inflation,” Griswold said. “Colorado remains in a strong economic position and the state and national outlook is positive.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Rep. Soper joining sex-assault victims to urge reform in addressing 400-day rape kit processing delays
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Soper joining sex-assault victims to urge reform in addressing 400-day rape kit processing delays

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In Colorado, when someone is raped, it may take more than a year before a district attorney can assess the evidence and open an investigation. The problem is because of long delays in processing rape kits, which takes more than 400 days now, exceeding the state’s 90-day goal.  To put the rape kit backlog issue into perspective, investigations cannot begin without the results of the forensic analysis, making the overall delay even more damaging. "The longer we're delaying the ability for the criminal justice system to even begin — not just to complete a trial, but for law enforcement and prosecutors to start an investigation — justice is completely stalled," said Republican Rep. Matt Soper, who represents District 54 in th...
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U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd joined by constituents while taking ceremonial oath of office
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd joined by constituents while taking ceremonial oath of office

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice In consideration of constituents who elected him, and were not able to be at his swearing in, or who may have traveled to the inauguration, only to have it moved indoors, U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-3rd District, invited people to the U.S. District Court house on Monday, Jan. 27, to attend a ceremonial swearing into office. The Hon. Gordon Gallagher presided over the ceremony, where there was a standing-room only crowd.  “We are here today for the ceremonial swearing in of Congressman Jeff Hurd. I say ceremonial because the 119th Congress was officially sworn in several weeks ago in Washington, D.C., and he is already hard at work," Gallagher said. Judge Gallagher had obviously given a great deal of thought to his ceremon...
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Rep. Luck questions why tribal members aren’t part of Colorado’s American Indian Affairs Committee
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Luck questions why tribal members aren’t part of Colorado’s American Indian Affairs Committee

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Whether tribal members should be provided a place on Colorado's American Indian Affairs Committee was a consideration for a pair of House members Monday during a hearing for House Bill 25-1057 in front of the State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. "We listen, we pay attention and we learn," said Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg, a prime sponsor of the bill establishing the five-year American Indian Affairs Interim Committee. The committee's purpose is to "examine issues and challenges that impact American Indian Tribal Nations," the bill summary reads. It would consist of six members of the general assembly who serve for the duration of the committee, outside of a resignation or are no longer in office. The committee can meet up...
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Rep. Luck’s bill to increase transparency in legislation gains broad committee support
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Luck’s bill to increase transparency in legislation gains broad committee support

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice If you are not a political insider, the two-month period between electing your state lawmakers to the General Assembly and the filing of bills as the state legislature begins might be filled with radio silence. That's the point of a bill from Rep. Stephanie Luck, a Southern Colorado Republican in District 60. House Bill 25-1069 would seek to increase transparency in the legislative process for all Coloradans. It was heard Monday in the House's State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill would create an online forum for a member of the General Assembly to voluntarily share drafts or titles of bills being considered with the public. "Our constituents seek more than just periodic updates," said Democrat Eliza Hamrick, a ...
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