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Struggling Colorado restaurants seek legislative help in rolling back key regulation
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State, The Sum & Substance

Struggling Colorado restaurants seek legislative help in rolling back key regulation

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance A Colorado restaurant industry battered by increasing costs and regulations will ask legislators Thursday to help it in a way that officials believe can make a huge difference — reducing wage requirements on its already highly compensated bartending and wait staff. In doing so, groups like the Colorado Restaurant Association will find themselves in a decidedly different position than they’ve occupied for several years, when they’ve rallied sector workers to fend off proposed regulations like the 2023 “Fair Workweek” bill. And in seeking proactive help, they’ve amassed a coalition that includes both conservative small-government Republicans and liberal pro-labor Democrats who believe the existing stream of eatery closings will grow into a ragin...
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Ballot measure to overturn Colorado wolf reintroduction clears title board in first hurdle
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State, The Colorado Sun

Ballot measure to overturn Colorado wolf reintroduction clears title board in first hurdle

By Jason Blevins | The Colorado Sun Wolf reintroduction could return to the Colorado ballot next year.  The Colorado Secretary of State’s Title Board on Wednesday approved language for a proposed ballot measure that would ask voters in 2026 to end the reintroduction of gray wolves by the end of that year.  “The only thing we are doing with this ballot measure is asking voters to approve a day where wolves would no longer be introduced in Colorado by humans,” said Stan VanderWerf, a former El Paso County commissioner who helped write the ballot measure. “This proposal does not make any other changes to state or provisions that address the management of wolves or reimbursement for depredation. It’s a very simple proposal.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE ...
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In killing Rep. Woog’s delivery fee repeal bill, Democrats again voted against relief for Coloradans
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In killing Rep. Woog’s delivery fee repeal bill, Democrats again voted against relief for Coloradans

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Another Republican measure, which could have made everyday life more affordable for Coloradans trying to get by, has been killed by House Democrats. House Bill 25-1144, by Rep. Dan Woog, R-Frederick, which would have repealed retail delivery fees, was postponed indefinitely Tuesday — legislative lingo for killed — along party lines. The measure failed, 9-4. "By voting to keep this delivery fee in place, Democrats are adding to the financial strain that Colorado families and small businesses are already struggling with," Woog said. "This fee is just another example of the hidden costs that make it more difficult for hardworking Coloradans to succeed. Instead of relieving the pressure on our citizens, this vote will only continue to hurt the ve...
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Pet-inclusive housing bill, aiming to reduce income barriers for owners, assigned to committee
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DENVER7, State

Pet-inclusive housing bill, aiming to reduce income barriers for owners, assigned to committee

By Allie Jennerjahn | Denver 7 News A bill making its way through the state legislature aims to make sure no one has to choose between staying with their pet, or having a roof over their head. HB25-1207 would reduce barriers to pet-inclusive housing by mandating housing providers who get state subsidies to allow pets. It would also keep insurance companies from adding breed restrictions. READ THE FULL STORY AT DENVER 7 NEWS
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House bill would impact about 175 private equity-backed child care chains
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Chalkbeat Colorado, State

House bill would impact about 175 private equity-backed child care chains

By Ann Schimke | Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado parents and teachers would get 60 days’ notice about staff layoffs or enrollment changes if their child care centers are acquired by chains backed by private equity firms. That’s one of the provisions in a bill that cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday, with an 8-5 vote in the House Health and Human Services committee. The bill, sponsored by three Democratic representatives, seeks new guardrails for child care centers backed by institutional investors such as private equity or venture capital firms. Experts say such firms aim to generate big profits for their investors, often at the expense of children, families, and workers. Firms do this by cutting costs and charging fees. READ THE FULL STORY AT CHALKBEAT COLORADO...
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Bipartisan bill to increase gun theft penalties advances out of House committee, into appropriations
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Bipartisan bill to increase gun theft penalties advances out of House committee, into appropriations

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Colorado Politics A bill increasing penalties for gun theft narrowly cleared its first hurdle on Tuesday, passing through the House Judiciary Committee by one vote.   House Bill 1062, sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, would exempt firearms from the state's sentencing structure for theft, making it a Class 6 felony, regardless of the firearm's value.  The bill passed on a 6-5 vote and will move on to the Appropriations Committee, as it carries a fiscal note of nearly $400,000 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and nearly $1 million for 2026-2027. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Colorado Restaurant Association supports tip offset bill as Denver restaurants struggle
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kdvr.com, State

Colorado Restaurant Association supports tip offset bill as Denver restaurants struggle

By Heather Willard | Fox 31 News The Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation is supporting a group promoting independent restaurants in the state, in addition to the Restaurant Relief Act, to help keep Colorado’s restaurants and eateries open. “We want our restaurants and teams to thrive, but we have to stay open for that to happen,” the association wrote in a Facebook post. “Independent restaurants are closing every single day in Colorado. In just three years, Denver has lost 22% of its restaurants.” READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
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Proposals forbid Colorado governments from banning gas or propane-fired appliances
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denvergazette.com, State

Proposals forbid Colorado governments from banning gas or propane-fired appliances

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Denver Gazette A group that secured a major property tax deal with legislators last year is behind ballot measures to prohibit state and local governments from banning the use of gas or propane-fired equipment and appliances, such as stoves and heaters. The group seeks to enact the prohibition in state statutes, as well as enshrine that language in the Colorado Constitution. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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The transparency fight for public records despite private agendas in Durango 9-R
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

The transparency fight for public records despite private agendas in Durango 9-R

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Access to public, governmental records ensures transparency, but in Durango School District 9-R, accessing them can come with hurdles. Parents say their Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests have been met with delayed responses and roadblocks. Brit Hanson, a Durango parent, started looking into the board’s decision-making processes after growing frustrated with its policies. Her concerns began during the COVID-19 pandemic. "My elementary son wore a mask for an entire year and developed an insane rash. He was on medication. Then he would go to violin class afterwards and still have to wear a mask," Hanson said. At one school forum, she recalled how officials dismissed parents’ concerns. "We had over a hundred par...
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HB 1135, requiring schools adopt student cell phone usage policy, advances out of committee
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

HB 1135, requiring schools adopt student cell phone usage policy, advances out of committee

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice The debate to end all debates may soon reach a conclusion. State lawmakers Wednesday advanced House Bill 25-1135, by Steamboat Springs Democrat Rep. Meghan Lukens and El Paso County Republican Rep. Mary Bradfield, a measure requiring schools adopt and implement a student communication device policy. The bill now moves to the House floor on a 11-1 vote of the House Education Committee. While the measure's concepts were broadly supported in the committee hearing, in many schools across the state, suspension of cell phone access in the classroom has raised the ire of parents and students. Many schools have local policy restricting cell phone use, largely brought by educators who have increasingly said classroom distractions have grown beyond the...
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