Economy
Coal plant closures accelerated with air commission approval of Regional Haze plan
At least eight of Colorado’s 11 remaining coal-fired generating units will face mandatory retirement deadlines over the next decade, and three could be required to close earlier than their operators had planned, under a plan given preliminary approval by the state’s Air Quality Control Commission on Friday. Colorado was required to submit the plan as […]
Colorado unemployment claims jump by 22% with more COVID-19 restrictions on the way
The number of new unemployment filings in Colorado rose again last week, with regular initial claims jumping by more than 22% to 9,171 — the highest level since early July and a continuation of an upward trend since filings reached a low of 4,840 in September, according to data from the Colorado Department of Labor […]
‘One step forward and two steps back’: Navigating housing instability during the pandemic
Prior to the pandemic, Erika Joye had never missed a rent payment. She moved to Lyons in July with her two kids after going through a lengthy — and expensive — divorce. Soon after moving, her 9-year-old son got bit by a rattlesnake and spent three days in an intensive care unit. She had gotten […]
Here’s a list of Colorado counties where gatherings and indoor events are banned
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released a list of 15 counties that will be moving to the red level of the state’s dial system used to determine levels of COVID-19 restrictions for individual counties. At the same time, CDPHE eased some of the restrictions for counties in the red level and added […]
Colorado service workers face health risks, high stress as COVID-19 cases spike
Gov. Jared Polis arrived at a virtual press briefing on the state’s coronavirus response on Monday with more bad news about the alarming spikes in cases and hospitalizations that have hit Colorado and much of the rest of the country in recent weeks. But despite another round of stern warnings about the need to improve […]
‘A lot of uncertainties’ remain as Colorado lawmakers craft state budget
New members of Colorado’s powerful Joint Budget Committee met for the first time Nov. 11, marking the start to what’s sure to be an especially arduous and complex process: designing the state budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, will helm the JBC following the Nov. 6 election of the former […]
Activists celebrate passage of Denver sales tax to fund climate action
Denver climate-change activists are celebrating after a two-year campaign to boost funding for the city’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ended in victory Tuesday night, as voters approved a ballot measure imposing a 0.25% sales tax hike to fund a new climate-action office. With the vast majority of Denver’s votes counted, unofficial results show […]
Colorado unemployment claims tick up again amid COVID-19 spike
First-time unemployment filings in Colorado have reached their highest level in three months and remain above the levels seen in all but the worst weeks of the 2009-10 recession, state officials reported Thursday. Initial claims for regular unemployment insurance for the week ending Oct. 31 totaled 7,116, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said […]
Gov. Polis’ proposal kicks off Colorado budget process amid uncertainty over pandemic, federal aid
Gov. Jared Polis on Monday unveiled a $35.4 billion state budget proposal that he said would restore many of the most painful cuts made amid the fiscal crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year. But with the virus surging again and a pivotal election about to determine the balance of power in Washington, […]
Gov. Polis orders one-time $375 stimulus payments to 435,000 Colorado workers
An estimated 435,000 Coloradans will receive a one-time direct payment of $375 in early December under an economic stimulus program announced by Gov. Jared Polis and state lawmakers on Wednesday. “I am taking swift action in close consultation with legislative leadership and members of the JBC to direct immediate payments to people whose lives and […]
Denver accepts applications for its fourth round of nonprofit emergency relief grants
The city and county of Denver is accepting applications for its fourth round of grants from the city’s Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 13 at 12 a.m. Nonprofits serving the Denver community that are experiencing financial hardship due to increased demand, decreased income or the creation of new services […]
Restrictions tighten for Denver, Adams counties following increase in COVID-19 cases
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced Oct. 27 that the city and county would enter a more restrictive level of the state’s COVID-19 dial system following a weeks-long increase in cases and a rising percentage of tests coming back positive. “We will work to implement this state order in the best way we can to protect […]