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End tissue donation policy that discriminates against gay men, write Neguse, Crow, Bennet
Despite a shortage of people consenting to donate corneas, heart valves, skin and other tissue after their death, the U.S. bars many gay and bisexual men from becoming tissue donors. Several dozen Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse of Lafayette and Jason Crow of Aurora, along with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, are calling on […]
Boebert lashes out in call to Omar, refuses to apologize
In a Monday phone call, Colorado U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert didn’t apologize for her repeated anti-Muslim comments, according to the Minnesota congresswoman who was the target of those comments and the recipient of the phone call. “Instead of apologizing for her Islamophobic comments and fabricated lies, Rep. Boebert refused to publicly acknowledge her hurtful and […]
Boebert issues apology after suicide-bomber reference to Rep. Omar, who calls Colorado lawmaker ‘buffoon’
Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert issued an apology Friday after a video circulated showing her suggest that if Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota were wearing a backpack then Boebert would suspect her of being a suicide bomber. Boebert, a Republican from Silt, made headlines recently for saying a Omar, who is Muslim, was part of the […]
Complaint alleges El Paso County GOP violations tied to Marjorie Taylor Greene dinner
The vice chair of the El Paso County Republican Party is alleging campaign finance violations associated with an Aug. 6 fundraising dinner, where controversial Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was the keynote speaker. Chair Vicki Tonkins, and by extension the party, failed to accurately report expenditures and contributions associated with the dinner, Vice Chair Karl […]
Aurora leaders, community members call for an end to youth gun violence
Following the shootings of nine Aurora high school students in two incidents that took place within a single week, state Sen. Rhonda Fields brought local leaders and community members to the Dayton Street Opportunity Center to talk public safety. Close to 100 people packed into the space. “My soul is heavy. And it’s weary,” said […]
Proposed Colorado laws address intersection of mental illness, crime
Next year, Colorado lawmakers will consider several bills that would change how the criminal justice system treats mentally ill people. The General Assembly’s Legislative Council — a panel of top Democrats and Republicans in the Colorado Senate and House of Representatives — approved five bills proposed by a committee tasked with studying the treatment of people […]
Aurora agrees to pay $15M in settlement with Elijah McClain’s parents
A settlement agreement reached this week between the parents of Elijah McClain and the city of Aurora totals $15 million, making it one of the largest police-related settlements in Colorado history. McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, died in August of 2019 following his violent arrest by Aurora Police Department officers and Aurora Fire paramedics. “No […]
Child sexual abuse survivors prepare to file lawsuits under new state measure
Lawmakers in the Colorado General Assembly passed legislation in June giving new power to people who’d survived sexual abuse decades ago — and survivors and their attorneys said Thursday they’re planning to move forward with several cases once the law takes effect in the new year. The statute of limitations had expired for these survivors, […]
The pandemic has been hard. It’s been harder on immigrants.
The year 2020 brought COVID-19 and worldwide economic devastation. But for Alexander Rios, a Venezuelan migrant newly arrived in Denver, it offered a gift. “I discovered my purpose in life,” Rios said. Rios, through an apprenticeship he began in March 2020 at Village Farms at Stanley, fell in love with growing food. The social enterprise […]
2021 brought progressive immigration policies to Colorado
The 2021 legislative session brought a series of wins for immigrant advocates in Colorado. Democrats, who hold the majority in the House and Senate and control the governor’s office, passed sweeping legislation affecting immigrants from all backgrounds. Some bills garnered bipartisan support, but most passed without it — and with little vocal opposition. Lawmakers championed […]
Colorado adopts revised overtime rules for agricultural workers
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has formally adopted new agricultural overtime rules that it says will make Colorado “among the top states for worker rights and protections.” “Only six other states have any ag overtime, and only four of those have similar or stronger overtime rights,” a Nov. 11 statement from CDLE said. […]
Who’s running for Colorado House in 2022? Here’s what we know so far.
In the 2020 election, Republicans managed to hold the fort in the Colorado House of Representatives — that is, the party didn’t lose any ground to Democrats, but maintained its hold on 24 House seats, while Democrats kept 41. Following the once-a-decade redistricting process, Republicans will be looking to flip some of those House districts […]