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Colorado’s COVID-19 hospitalizations rise 45% in a week
Colorado saw a slight uptick this week in the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — though hospitalizations remain far below April levels. As of July 14, 252 people across the state were hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment. That’s a 45% increase from one week […]
Colorado joins suit over Trump administration’s new policy for international students
In yet another multi-state lawsuit over the Donald Trump administration’s proposed policies, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined forces with 16 other states and the District of Columbia in an effort to stop new requirements for international students from taking effect. A new rule announced July 6 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement requires that international […]
Still no statewide mask order as Gov. Polis announces new COVID-19 website
With cases of COVID-19 climbing in states that weren’t initially as hard-hit as the northeast U.S., governors from across the political spectrum have issued mask-wearing orders. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, hasn’t crossed the line from strong recommendation to mandate, though he said on July 9 he hasn’t ruled it out. The problem is […]
Court made signature gathering harder. Some ballot initiative groups are undeterred.
Despite a recent Colorado Supreme Court order that makes collecting tens of thousands of voter signatures an even more difficult task during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least a few groups remain optimistic they’ll be able to make the state’s August deadline to submit initiative petitions. Others, however, including one that aimed to create new setback […]
Colorado communities can apply for next phase of COVID-19 reopening
At a time when COVID-19 cases are increasing in many areas of Colorado, the state opened an application process for local communities that wish to enter the next phase of reopening. As of July 8, counties and regions can apply for “Protect Our Neighbors” status if they show that COVID-19 cases are declining and submit […]
Did protests play role in record-breaking voter turnout?
Last month, Colorado shattered the previous state record for voter turnout in a nonpresidential primary election. As of 11:30 p.m. June 30, more than 1.57 million ballots had been returned to county election officials, according to the secretary of state’s office. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold took the opportunity to praise the state’s secure […]
States can bind electors to votes, U.S. Supreme Court rules
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled July 6 in favor of the state of Colorado — and against “faithless electors” — in a case concerning a member of the Electoral College who tried to vote against the state’s preference in the 2016 presidential election. The case was closely watched, as some feared an outcome allowing Electoral […]
Fourth of July during the pandemic: What Coloradans should know
This week, the country will celebrate a bizarre Fourth of July during an historic pandemic. Public health regulations governing what’s open and closed in response to the coronavirus are constantly changing — and they’re hard to keep track of. Here’s what to keep in mind over the long weekend: Health officials recommend that those who […]
DMV offices in Alamosa, Fort Morgan offer licenses to undocumented immigrants
Two additional Division of Motor Vehicles offices — in Alamosa and Fort Morgan — were set to begin granting driver’s licenses to undocumented Colorado immigrants July 1. “These offices will facilitate licensing for rural workers and community members without having to travel long distances to appointments and missing days of work,” I Drive Colorado campaign manager Siena […]
Hickenlooper defeats Romanoff in Democratic Senate primary
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper overcame a series of blunders in the final months of his Democratic primary campaign to best rival Andrew Romanoff, a former state House speaker, by nearly 20 percentage points, according to unofficial results from the Colorado secretary of state’s office. As of June 10, Hickenlooper had raised nearly $12 million in […]
Republican incumbent Tipton loses to challenger from the right
While the main contest in Tuesday’s election was that between Colorado Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate — former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper beat former state House speaker Andrew Romanoff — the primary ballot contained several other significant races. In the 3rd congressional district — which encompasses Colorado’s Western Slope, plus Pueblo County — five-term Republican […]