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Gov. Polis emphasizes housing need in address to Colorado lawmakers
In an optimistic speech to state lawmakers that referenced “The Lord of the Rings,” Mexican eatery Casa Bonita and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday set a vision for his second term in office and challenged listeners to imagine the state’s identity as it nears its 150th year of statehood. […]
Colorado Chief Justice shares outlook on judicial branch with legislators
Chief Justice Brian Boatright of the Colorado Supreme Court laid out his priorities for the state’s judicial branch and threw his support behind two proposed bills aimed at increasing transparency in the judicial discipline process during an address to the Legislature on Friday. It was the first State of the Judiciary since investigations into the […]
Colorado bill would add translation requirements for insurance documents
A freshman in the Colorado House of Representatives wants to make it easier for non-English speakers to access and understand insurance documents, drawing from her years of experience as a translator and interpreter. Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Democrat from Glenwood Springs, introduced her first piece of legislation as part of House Democrats’ first five bills […]
Here’s a look at the first legislation of 2023 Colorado legislative session
Soon after the Colorado General Assembly convened for the 2023 legislative session on Monday, members introduced the first bills of the year, offering a hint of Democratic priorities. “This session, we’ll pass legislation to protect our water and air, invest in our schools, improve public safety, and make our state more affordable. Our first five […]
Colorado state Rep. Tracey Bernett resigns amid felony charges
Colorado state Rep. Tracey Bernett resigned from her lawmaking position on the eve of the 2023 legislative session while facing criminal charges that she lied about her residence to run for reelection. “Ms. Bernett has chosen to relinquish her position while addressing these charges rather than compromising the policy initiatives she deems important to those […]
Colorado General Assembly back in business for 2023 session
The Colorado General Assembly convened for its 2023 regular session Monday morning as Democrats prepare to legislate with a wide majority and Republicans learn to navigate the reality of diminished power in the state Capitol. Opening day began with musical performances — Colorado Childrens’ Choral in the House and four-person ensemble DeVotchKa in the Senate […]
Colorado lawmakers to tackle affordability, public safety in upcoming session
Democratic state leaders are naming housing affordability, water policy and public safety as top priorities as they prepare to begin the new Colorado legislative session next week with large majorities in both General Assembly chambers. “You’re going to see our priorities look and feel a lot like the ones we focused on last session. What […]
Lorena Garcia tapped to replace Colorado state Rep. Benavidez
A vacancy committee selected Lorena Garcia to replace resigning Colorado state Rep. Adrienne Benavidez on Tuesday. Garcia, a former U.S. Senate candidate, will finish Benavidez’s term representing House District 35. The term runs through 2024. The district runs along Federal Boulevard and includes parts of Federal Heights north of Denver. Benavidez announced her resignation in […]
Gov. Polis submits budget amendment, seeks money for property tax relief
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday submitted his administration’s supplemental adjustments to the proposed state budget, following his reelection in November and a mid-December economic forecast that gave a clearer picture of the state’s financial status. The adjustments build on what Polis, a Democrat, submitted last November in his budget request for the 2023-24 fiscal […]
Colorado leaders reflect on one year anniversary of Marshall Fire
One year after the Marshall Fire destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in Boulder County, Colorado leaders reflected on the impact and legacy of the most destructive wildfire in state history. “As we look back on the one-year since the horrific Marshall Fire, we remember a painful day of destruction and loss for our community. […]
Colorado health department to discontinue COVID-19 vaccine hotline at year’s end
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is winding down its operation of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline and will soon direct callers to a national phone number. Live assistance on the state’s vaccine hotline will end on Dec. 31. Instead, people will be directed to a hotline operated by the federal Centers for […]
High altitude water storage, judicial discipline among topics of bills sent to Colorado Legislature
Colorado’s Joint Committee on Legislative Council has approved a slate of bills put forward by various interim committees to be introduced and considered in the next legislative session, ranging from a bill to create a new office for youth eating disorder prevention to one that would create a new task force to look into high […]