Author

Julia Fennell
Julia Fennell is a former reporter for Colorado Newsline.
3 Colorado counties rank in top 100 with high poverty, high COVID death rates
By: Julia Fennell - April 22, 2022
Three counties in Colorado rank in the top 100 counties in the United States with high poverty and high COVID-19 death rates, according to a report published this month. Bent, Otero and Conejos counties were ranked as part of a report published by the Poor People’s Campaign, which works to improve legislation to help low-income […]
Ute tribes invited to address annual joint session of Colorado Legislature
By: Julia Fennell - April 21, 2022
Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law last week that some say will support the Ute tribes in Colorado and foster a strong relationship between the communities and the state. The Tribal Governments Annual Address To Joint Session law requires the state House and Senate to invite representatives from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe […]
Women take power in Colorado
By: Julia Fennell - April 13, 2022
Colorado has the third-highest percentage of women in municipal office and the second-highest percentage of women in the state legislature compared to other states, according to 2022 data from the Center for American Women and Politics. About 45% of people serving in municipal offices in Colorado this year are women, which is higher than in […]
Daylight saving or standard time. Just pick one, these Colorado lawmakers say.
By: Julia Fennell - April 7, 2022
Legislation that would enact permanent daylight saving time in Colorado passed the state House of Representatives last week, but federal law needs to change before the switch can be made. The Daylight Saving Time Year Round bill would establish permanent daylight saving time in the state, which means that Coloradans would not change the clock […]
Bill to offer Medicaid reimbursement for equine movement therapy passes state House
By: Julia Fennell - March 30, 2022
More Coloradans may be able to access therapy that uses horses after legislation to offer Medicaid reimbursement for the therapy passed the state House of Representatives. The Medicaid Reimbursement for Therapy Using Equines bill would make Medicaid reimbursement available for equine-movement therapy, when the therapy is provided by a physical or occupational therapist, or a […]
Funds from seized Russian assets would benefit Ukrainian refugees under Bennet-sponsored bill
By: Julia Fennell - March 30, 2022
Sens. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, and Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, introduced legislation to require any funds resulting from the seizure of Russian assets to be used to support Ukrainian refugees and reconstruction in Ukraine. The Repurposing Elite Luxuries Into Emergency Funds Act, or RELIEF for Ukraine Act, would require the Department […]
Can Coloradans with opposing political views find common ground? Unify Challenge is the test.
By: Julia Fennell - March 29, 2022
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and former Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams want to get Coloradans to discuss issues with people of opposing political views. Weiser, a Democrat from Denver, and Williams, a Republican from Colorado Springs, partnered with Unify America and America Talks to host three virtual events where people from across the […]
Colorado’s top-ranked autism services draw families from across the country, but gaps remain
By: Julia Fennell - March 28, 2022
Dennis Mashue traveled around the country with his son, who is on the autism spectrum, before finding the supportive community he was looking for in Colorado. After deciding to relocate from Michigan to Colorado, Mashue, who now serves on the board of Autism Society of Colorado in Broomfield, said in his experience, people in Colorado […]
Youth ‘reasonable independence’ bill passed by Colorado Legislature
By: Julia Fennell - March 24, 2022
A bipartisan bill that advocates say will give Colorado youth “reasonable independence” passed the Colorado Legislature last week and now heads to the desk of Gov. Jared Polis for his signature. House Bill 22-1090, dubbed the Reasonable Independence for Children bill, would foster independence by tightening the definition of child neglect, giving children reasonable independence […]
Recreational marijuana campaign in Colorado Springs can collect signatures
By: Julia Fennell - March 21, 2022
Colorado Springs residents could have the chance to vote on the sale of recreational marijuana in the city in this year’s election. Your Choice Colorado Springs, the group working to get the sale of recreational marijuana on the ballot, filed a petition initiative in January. The City Title Board approved the proposed initiative language that would […]
Work-based learning bill touted as answer to Colorado labor shortage
By: Julia Fennell - March 21, 2022
A bill that would create programs to address Colorado’s labor shortage moved forward last week. The Expansion Of Experiential Learning Opportunities would establish four programs to expand work-based learning opportunities and address digital inequalities. “With workforce shortages expected to get worse, Colorado doesn’t have a single potential worker to waste,” said Joe Barela, the executive […]
Colorado collects almost 1,300 ballistic helmets, 1,300 sets of body armor, bound for Ukraine
By: Julia Fennell - March 15, 2022
Colorado has collected almost 1,300 ballistic helmets and almost 1,300 complete sets of surplus body armor from local law enforcement agencies to send to Ukraine. “We are doing everything we can to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and this surplus body armor is urgently needed to help save lives, stop Putin’s ruthless aggression, and save […]