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Bill banning so-called ‘assault weapons’ passed in House, headed to Senate
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Bill banning so-called ‘assault weapons’ passed in House, headed to Senate

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics The proposal to ban so-called "assault weapons" is now on its way to the Colorado Senate after House legislators passed the measure during a rare legislation session on Sunday. The measure is expected to be assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  A majority of Democrats approved House Bill 1292 on a 35-27 vote, with nine Democrats voting against. The vote followed a debate of more than three hours. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Ballot measure in Colorado would bar ‘placeholders’ from immediately seeking office
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Ballot measure in Colorado would bar ‘placeholders’ from immediately seeking office

By Marianne Goodland | The Gazette A state legislator in Colorado is pushing a resolution to go to the ballot  that would bar an individual who is appointed to a legislative seat via the vacancy process from running for that position in the next election.     Assuming the measure gets on the ballot and voters approve it, the effect would be to prohibit somebody who secures the vacancy appointment after a vote of party insiders from seeking that legislative seat for the next term, effectively making that person a "placeholder."      State Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch said his resolution would tackle the perception of a small group of insiders picking policymakers that decide major issues for the entire state.  READ THE FU...
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House Republicans welcome homeschooled students to the Capitol
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Rocky Mountain Voice, State

House Republicans welcome homeschooled students to the Capitol

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice An estimated one in 20 children is homeschooled in America, and in Colorado about 16,000 students claim to be homeschooled. Some of those students and their parents visited the Capitol Thursday in celebration of Colorado Homeschool Day. “Empowering families to choose the best education for their children is fundamental to our values,” said Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs. “By supporting homeschooling, we affirm the right of families to be the primary educators of their children. Families should have the choice to tailor their child's education according to their individual needs and beliefs." Homeschool families found an ally in Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Brighton. “As a product of homeschooling myself and now a homeschool...
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Colorado voters may get final say over the legislature side-stepping open meetings
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completecolorado.com, State

Colorado voters may get final say over the legislature side-stepping open meetings

Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER — Doing what he is well known for, Independence Institute president Jon Caldara has started the process to let Colorado voters decide whether legislators should be treated differently than other elected officials when they meet in groups of more than two. Last Friday, Caldara and his co-proponent, Vanessa Rutledge appeared before the Legislative Council staff to answer questions about Initiative 287, which would repeal Senate Bill 157. Rutledge is the communications and marketing manager for the Independence Institute, a Denver-based free market think tank, which is also the publisher of Complete Colorado. SB 157, which was passed earlier this year in record time and signed into law by Gov. Polis on March 12, created a carv...
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Colorado’s $40.6 Billion budget is nearing final passage. Here’s what’s in it.
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State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado’s $40.6 Billion budget is nearing final passage. Here’s what’s in it.

Brian Eason | The Colorado Sun After weeks of debate and over two dozen amendments, Colorado budget writers Wednesday put the finishing touches on a $40.6 billion budget that increases spending on state workers, health care services, K-12 and higher education. But the spending plan leaves a number of unanswered questions for the final month of the legislative session — including how the Democratic majority will pay for property tax cuts, a major priority for Gov. Jared Polis and top lawmakers. The budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which starts July 1, still has a few procedural hurdles to go, but no further changes are expected. The Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday rebalanced the budget after the House and Senate passed different versions over the last two weeks. READ THE ...
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Colorado lawmakers approve bill to require landlords to complete serious repairs faster
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State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado lawmakers approve bill to require landlords to complete serious repairs faster

Tatiana Flowers | The Colorado Sun The state legislature Tuesday gave final approval to a measure that aims to improve living conditions for renters across Colorado by closing “loopholes” that make it difficult to request repairs from landlords. Colorado has for years had a so-called warranty of habitability law on the books, which sets basic housing standards for landlords. But lawmakers and fair housing advocates have said the 2008 statute needs improvement because exceptions in the law make it difficult for residents to request action for serious issues such as mold, sewage leaks and rodent infestations. State lawmakers this week passed Senate Bill 94, which would require landlords complete repairs for most issues within 14 days, including things such as fixing loose ...
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Satirical testimony zaps lefty Colorado lawmakers on guns, furries, abortion
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coloradopeakpolitics.com, Commentary

Satirical testimony zaps lefty Colorado lawmakers on guns, furries, abortion

By Colorado Peak Politics Step aside Babylon Bee. There’s a new satire game in town and the conservative folks still left in Colorado are proud to call Scott Shamblin and Nicole McBurney their homies. Their videos mocking the state’s ridiculously progressive legislature have gone viral across social media as frontman Shamblin and writer McBurney piss off the libs while sending rational thinking folks into hysterical fits of laughter. We strongly suspect those are not their real names, and after seeing their videos, PeakNation™ will likely agree. And applaud. Behold! Gen Z has a sense of humor. READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT COLORADO PEAK POLITICS
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Colorado Senate compromises to strengthen human trafficking laws, proposal heads to governor’s desk
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Senate compromises to strengthen human trafficking laws, proposal heads to governor’s desk

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Human trafficking, particularly of children, has been a hot and divisive topic at the state Capitol this year. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers has found a way of putting more teeth into the state's laws by agreeing to a compromise that meant giving up a major provision but ultimately securing a proposal's passage.     On Tuesday, the Senate decided to withdraw their objections to changes the House made to Senate Bill 35 and send it on to the governor for signing, despite misgivings from some over changes made by the House to the measure.  But that vote came with strong words directed at the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, including a claim that the organization is hurting victims in Colorado. READ THE ...
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Faith Winter, a top Senate Democrat, seeking treatment after appearing intoxicated at Wednesday meeting
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State, The Colorado Sun

Faith Winter, a top Senate Democrat, seeking treatment after appearing intoxicated at Wednesday meeting

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, the No. 3 Democrat in the Colorado Senate, is seeking medical treatment for substance abuse, she told The Colorado Sun on Thursday. Winter is specifically seeking assistance with alcoholism.  The Broomfield lawmaker’s decision comes after she appeared to be intoxicated Wednesday evening as she attended a community hearing in Northglenn about a state plan to open a controversial mental health transitional living facility that could house people convicted of sex offenses. Winter’s speech was slurred and halting and she seemed to struggle to gather her thoughts. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Proposed law in Colorado could restrict alcohol sales at large chain grocery stores
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coloradopolitics.com, State

Proposed law in Colorado could restrict alcohol sales at large chain grocery stores

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A Colorado House bill could change the kind of liquor consumers can buy from some of the state's large grocery and drug stores, mostly along the Front Range, if enacted into law. Slated to be discussed by the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Thursday, House Bill 1373 would convert liquor licenses for about 30 mostly large chain grocery stores that allow them to sell beer, wine and spirits to being able to sell just beer and wine. The licenses, known as liquor-licensed drugstore licenses, are mostly held by large retail liquor stores that are run by large retail grocery stores. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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