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In response to CBI scandal, lawmakers seek mandatory reporting, investigation of misconduct
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coloradopolitics.com, State

In response to CBI scandal, lawmakers seek mandatory reporting, investigation of misconduct

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics As calls mounted for policymakers to address the DNA scandal swirling at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, legislators requested a state audit and introduced two bills, one of which seeks to require mandatory reporting and investigation of misconduct.   In a news conference on Thursday, lawmakers said that's one factor that was was lacking in the case involving a once-revered DNA scientist at the state lab.  House Bill 1275 is about transparency, said Reps. Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, and Sen. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Rand Paul suggests Denver mayor opposing deportations is ‘a form of insurrection’
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denvergazette.com, State

Rand Paul suggests Denver mayor opposing deportations is ‘a form of insurrection’

By Asher Notheis | The Denver Gazette Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky warned that Denver Mayor Mike Johnston could face legal repercussions over his opposition to President-elect Donald Trump's proposed mass deportations of immigrants unlawfully staying in the U.S. Johnston is one of several mayors who have stated they will not assist the incoming Trump administration with its deportation plan. Johnston said Denver would “continue to be a welcoming, open, big-hearted city.” Paul, who has expressed criticism of Trump’s plan to use the Army to carry out his deportation plan, warned the mayor that his resistance could be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he could potentially be removed from office. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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Man found guilty of killing Colorado parole officer with vehicle in attempt to flee
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gazette.com, State

Man found guilty of killing Colorado parole officer with vehicle in attempt to flee

By Zachary Dupont | The Gazette A Colorado Springs man was found guilty of multiple charges, including vehicular homicide, at trial on Wednesday for killing a parole officer with his car in 2023.  Justin Kula, 42, was accused of killing Pueblo parole officer Christine Guerin Sandoval with his car after he attempted to flee from her and two other parole officers who were attempting to make contact with Kula on Sept. 28, 2023.  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE
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Legislators introduce divergent bills addressing construction defects
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State, The Sum & Substance

Legislators introduce divergent bills addressing construction defects

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance Gov. Jared Polis and a bipartisan group of lawmakers rolled out the latest effort to reform construction-defects laws and jumpstart the condominium market Wednesday — a day after opponents introduced a conflicting bill that sets the playing field for this year’s debate. House Bill 1272, which has bipartisan support, would make it more difficult to file lawsuits over reputed defects in owner-occupied multifamily housing, would offer developers more affirmative defenses against such suits and would prioritize repair over reparations. It mirrors a bill that died in the House last year in some ways but also seeks to re-focus specifically on lower-cost condominiums and “de-risks the market” by providing owners more pathways to resolve disputes more...
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Lawmakers take aim at food waste, passing HB 1059 out of House and HB 1166 out of committee
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Lawmakers take aim at food waste, passing HB 1059 out of House and HB 1166 out of committee

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice As Rep. Ron Weinberg's bill taking aim at food waste in school cafeterias from Julesburg to Cortez and all points in between was sailing through the Colorado House on final reading this week, his companion piece of legislation was getting similar treatment Thursday in a House committee. House Bill 25-1166, by the Larimer County Republican and Democrat Rep. Lisa Feret, would expand the Department of Public Health and Environment's role to include training and encourage donation of food through a waste reduction initiative. Specifically, the bill would allow retail food establishments to sell or donate food online and to sell chilled or frozen food at a discount to individuals eligible for food assistance, and also to have grocers replace "sell...
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How Jeffco Kids First exposed a school cover-up that made international headlines
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

How Jeffco Kids First exposed a school cover-up that made international headlines

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A Jefferson County teacher lost her license after an alleged grooming scandal involving a student at Columbine High School. The more disturbing revelation? School officials allegedly not only failed to stop it, but facilitated a fraudulent federal declaration to help the student move in with another teacher — all without notifying her parents. Leann Kearney, a social studies teacher at Columbine, allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student, according to state investigators. The student’s mother discovered thousands of alleged calls and text messages between the two, including a letter detailing a kiss.  But rather than stepping in to protect the student, Jeffco school staff active...
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System update-related delays to tax return processing near end, Department of Revenue says
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coloradopolitics.com, State

System update-related delays to tax return processing near end, Department of Revenue says

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics The Colorado Department of Revenue announced that it will soon begin processing state income tax returns following weeks of delays. While no specific date was given, the department said it should be accepting returns some time this week.  The delays stemmed from system updates required to implement a number of recent changes to the sate tax code. As of Feb. 19, the state's Revenue Online website states the links for filing individual, fiduciary, and business income taxes are "coming soon" and to check back in late February.  READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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HB 1272, a jumpstart of the affordable condo market, gains Gov. Jared Polis’ support
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coloradopolitics.com, State

HB 1272, a jumpstart of the affordable condo market, gains Gov. Jared Polis’ support

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A proposal intended to tackle "construction defects" and jumpstart the affordable condo market has begun its journey through the General Assembly. House Bill 1272 — introduced on Tuesday and first reported by Colorado Politics last week — would require a third-party, independent inspector to make periodic checks during the condo construction process. The builder would be tasked with responding to problems identified by the inspector and fixing them. Backers of the bill said this would elevate the standards to a higher level of quality and impose a higher burden of proof for that quality. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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HB 1040, adding nuclear to state’s clean energy definitions, gains bipartisan support
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1040, adding nuclear to state’s clean energy definitions, gains bipartisan support

'If Colorado wants to boost our economy, this is a serious conversation to have' — Rep. Ty Winter By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice A proposal to include nuclear energy in two statutory definitions of clean energy has passed the Colorado House on second reading. House Bill 25-1040 is a bipartisan measure by Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver, and Ty Winter, R-Las Animas, with the goal of adding nuclear to "clean energy" definitions, enabling financing. "This does not bring nuclear energy to Colorado," Valdez said, who founded one of Colorado's largest and now defunct solar energy companies in 2008. "This designates it as clean energy." The bill would include nuclear, in definition, alongside solar, wind and other clean energy. "If Colorado wants to boost our economy, this is...
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10th Circuit sends bill for cleaning up old Colorado mine back to court
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Courthouse News Service, State

10th Circuit sends bill for cleaning up old Colorado mine back to court

By Amanda Pampuro | Courthouse News Finding an oil company’s suit timely if categorized as a contribution action, the 10th Circuit on Wednesday revived a claim asking for a century-old mine’s previous owner to pitch in on a $63.7 million environmental cleanup bill. "Actions for contribution and cost recovery entail separate statutes of limitations,” wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Robert Bacharach in a 15-page opinion. “Choosing between the two options, the district court applied the statute of limitations for cost-recovery actions. We disagree, concluding that the limitations period for contribution actions should apply.” Atlantic Richfield Company initially sued NL Industries in 2020, seeking to recoup cleanup costs for silver mines in southwest Colorado under the Comprehensi...
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