Author

Lindsey Toomer

Lindsey Toomer

Lindsey Toomer covers politics, social justice and other stories for Newsline. She formerly reported on city government at the Denver Gazette and on Colorado mountain town government, education and environment at the Summit Daily News.

Rep. Boebert introduces bill to defund Planned Parenthood

By: - January 20, 2023

Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Silt introduced her first bill of the 118th Congress — the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, which would prohibit federal tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood. According to the bill text, about $235 million would be redirected to other community health centers that provide women’s health care services if the […]

Trial for Teller County sheriff who partnered with ICE set to start

By: - January 19, 2023

A three-day trial set to start next week will concern whether Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell violated Colorado law by having his officers enforce federal immigration law. The trial stems from a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado on behalf of local plaintiffs in Teller County District Court. The lawsuit claims […]

With no Republican condemnation of violence against abortion facilities, House Democrats respond

By: - January 12, 2023

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver and a group of fellow Democrats introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday condemning all forms of political violence regardless of intent or target. The resolution came in response to a Republican measure condemning attacks only against anti-abortion facilities.  The Republican-led resolution passed the House Wednesday […]

Non-border cities like Denver should make migrant aid routine priority, advocates say

By: - January 12, 2023

While Denver is winding down its emergency operations to support an influx of migrants over the last month, immigration nonprofits in other cities have made supporting newly transplanted migrants part of their everyday operations. Immigration experts in cities like New York and Washington, D.C., say other non-border cities like Denver should be prepared to support […]

Jared Polis sworn in for second term as Colorado governor

By: - January 10, 2023

Gov. Jared Polis has officially started his second term at Colorado’s helm after he and Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera took the oath of office outside the Colorado Capitol Tuesday morning.  In his inaugural address, Polis thanked Colorado voters for affirming that democracy is worth voting for by reelecting him to a second term in office. […]

Buck says McCarthy should consider alternative speaker candidate

By: - January 4, 2023

Republican representatives from Colorado are thinking about other options for speaker of the U.S. House as Rep. Kevin McCarthy continuously fails to win the 218 votes he needs to be elected.  Rep. Ken Buck of Windsor said Wednesday McCarthy needs to earn enough votes to become speaker or step aside to give someone else a […]

Boebert emerges as leading opponent of McCarthy for House speaker

By: - January 4, 2023

As the U.S. House of Representatives proved unable to elect a speaker Tuesday after three votes, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado emerged as one of the Republicans leading the charge against Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s candidacy.  Boebert, the only Colorado Republican in the House who did not support McCarthy, voted for Republican Rep. Jim Jordan […]

Colorado’s newest members of Congress cite affordability as a top concern

By: - January 3, 2023

Colorado sent two first-time members of the U.S. House of Representatives to serve in the 118th Congress, and they stepped foot into their offices for the first time Tuesday.  Democratic U.S. Reps.-elect Brittany Pettersen of Colorado’s 7th Congressional District and Yadira Caraveo of Colorado’s brand new 8th Congressional District held a joint news conference Tuesday […]

Low staffing at prisons in Colorado leads to unsustainable working conditions

By: - January 3, 2023

High job vacancy rates have plagued many industries since the onset of the pandemic almost three years ago, but for those working in corrections, being understaffed can quickly lead to being overworked in a stressful and potentially dangerous environment.  At both federal and state prisons in Colorado, recruiting and retaining staff across the board has […]

Colorado AG Weiser forms task force to combat organized retail theft

By: - December 28, 2022

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on Wednesday announced the formation of a new statewide task force targeting organized retail theft and the reselling of stolen goods online. Law enforcement officials from across the state will convene to develop a shared set of resources for cross-jurisdictional investigations aimed at preventing the sale of stolen goods through […]

Denver still supporting thousands of migrants, asylum seekers with emergency shelter

By: - December 27, 2022

Denver is continuing its efforts to shelter incoming migrants and asylum seekers to the city, serving about 2,380 people since the start of December. City officials said in an update Tuesday that 140 additional migrants arrived in Denver overnight. Mayor Michael Hancock issued an emergency declaration on Dec. 15 in response to a surge in […]

Lawmakers urge insurance companies to extend coverage for Marshall Fire victims

By: - December 23, 2022

Three of Colorado’s federal lawmakers wrote to over 65 insurance companies asking them to extend additional living expenses coverage for Marshall Fire survivors for another year. The coverage is set to expire after the one-year anniversary of the fire.  U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper as well as Rep. Joe Neguse of Lafayette asked […]