By TCS Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Jared Wright @_JaredWright_

Monday, February 1, 2016

DENVER – Happy Iowa Caucus Monday, Colorado! A new work week is upon us and so is the harsh winter weather – and just when you were beginning to forget it was winter here in Colorado …

“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” – Anton Chekhov

A big week for politicos and football fanatics – today, the first political playoff game in the midwest, and just a few days from now, a big Super Bowl Sunday! Super Bowl L … er 50. Go Broncos!

Now, your substrata feed straight from the politics pipeline:

Will Iowa blizzard hamper turnout? – Depends on which weather guy or gal you want to listen to (I advise listening to the one who looks out the window.)

Are we going to the Capitol today? Sen. Bill Cadman and Rep. Dickie Lee Hullinghorst have always been pretty good at the ‘looking out the window’ part. Are we on for #coleg today, guys? Looks like we are. Everyone commence to windshield scraping … or digging your Snow Cat’s out of storage! AP’s Kristen Wyatt is still waiting on the snow day word as she has been for the last 14 hours (from the slopes.)

This report from Accuweather says Winter Storm “Kayla”, the same weather system being felt right here at home in Colorado, may have a deterring effect on voter participation at tonight’s Iowa caucuses.

“Candidates like Bernie Sanders who target young people may also feel an impact. Voters between the ages of 18 and 24 have higher turnout rates when the weather is sunny and warm,” says the report.

Two words … fragile millennials.

A report from the Des Moines Register locals, however, (if you can get past the Jeb! Bush smack-a-gopher pop-up ad on the site) says the blizzard is gonna miss the caucusing, but will blanket Iowa on Tuesday.

Rainy (or snowy?) Day Republicans – “The old adage that Republicans “pray for rain” turns out to be true in presidential elections, according to a 2007 study in The Journal of Politics. For every 1-inch increase in rain above its Election Day normal, the Republican presidential candidate received approximately an extra 2.5 percent of the vote, the study showed. For every 1-inch increase in snow above normal, the Republican candidate’s vote share increases by approximately 0.6 of a percent.” – Accuweather

Where’s my snow plow?, coming to an app store near you –Yesterday, CDOT announced a new snow plow monitoring system. The Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) system will allow the public to go online and see which areas have been plowed. The system is in place and should be working during the storm this week. Here’s the link to view snow plow locations on any device: http://cotrip.org/snowplow.htm#/snowplow

Bronco’s drum role, a view from stage – Check out (soon to be former) Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia‘s video on Facebook of North High School’s drum line from his position on the main stage. They’re playing their hearts out for a packed Civic Center Park Broncos rally yesterday.

Super Bowl Wayne! – Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams has wagered a friendly bet with North Carolina’s Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. The bet? Not the usual our state’s products (pot, Buffalo steaks and Enstrom’s toffee – Lynn Bartels), but this year, a bet for a great cause – a food drive. After the game, both offices will donate their collection to their respective food banks, Food Bank of the Rockies and Food Bank of Central and Eastern Carolina. If all goes as Secretary Williams plans, this will be a win-win for Colorado and a lose-win for North Carolina.

‘Dome to Home’ – A likely winner for the Capitol Catch Phrase of the Year Award, Sen. Kevin Grantham sent an email to his constituents back home with the title, “Dome to Home: 2016 Session Kicks Off.” Well played, Senator.

Statesman’s star-studded party is close to selling out – You heard that right, The Statesman’s February 4 relaunch party at the Governor’s Mansion is on the verge of selling out. It’s going to be a roaring good time. Hope to see you there!

Denver Dems want Universal Health Care – The Denver Democratic Partyendorsed Universal Health Care and the Colorado Community Rights Amendment at their Jan. 30 central committee meeting. Reuben Espinozatweeted, “The Revolution has Begun …”Colorado Capitol Watch – Paula Noonan our partner in bill tracking over at Colorado Capitol Watch tells us there are now 280 bills introduced with 33 new bills introduced on 1/29/16 with a total of 109 bi-partisan sponsored bills to date. Here is a look at all bills on the calendar today forward.

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” – Robert Frost

Denver City Council Agenda for Monday, February 1 – Download here

Birthdays! – Wishing very Happy Birthdays to former Colorado Democratic Party chair Pat Waak, former Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry and Denver PR guru Wendy Aiello.

Diversions: An impressive video on Master Penman Jake Weidmann – one of only twelve master penmans worldwide (and the youngest) who lives right here in Colorado. “We’re people, we’re not machines. If the Declaration of Independence were written as an email, how special or personal would that be? If you don’t teach your child handwriting, the thoughts that they develop when they wish to communicate, the thoughts that they wish to communicate will vanish as soon as they touch the keyboard.” – Michael Sull

Perhaps I should start hand-writing The Hot Sheet? … nah.

From the wires:

National Review’s Alexis Levinson and Eliana Johnson write that the final of one of the more respected presidential polls, the Des Moines Register/Bloomberg, has shown Donald Trump holding his lead in Iowa as we head into their caucuses today.

But, The Hill’s Jesse Byrnes reports on a usually (over?)confident Trump refusing to go so far as predict his win in The Hawkeye State today.

The Statesman’s Lars Gesing writes in yesterday’s Sunday Special Report about former Gary Hart presidential campaign staffers, their recollections of the near-winning campaign and their own incredible remaining influence in Colorado politics.

The Statesman’s Ramsey Scott reports that one particular small business group does not approve of Gov. Hickenlooper’s plan to enterprise the Hospital Provider Fee.

CBS Denver reports on the Stock Show Complex biker gang violence that occurred over the weekend. 

The Fort Collins Coloradoan’s Jacy Marmaduke reports on where the trash will all go when the Larimer County Landfill is full – which is apparently nearing on the 10 year event horizon.

Roll Call’s Jason Dick reports on the ‘Full Grassley’ – it’s happening in all of Iowa’s 99 counties as usual. But no endorsements.

Your Day in policy (just a few interesting things):

House and Senate Calendars:

HOUSE – Your Feb. 1. Calendar here 

SENATE – Your Feb. 1 Calendar here 

You’re up to date. Keep warm and dry under the Gold Dome. And safe travels Home to Dome and Dome to Home. Until tomorrow …

If you would like to submit a news tip, event, happening, gossuping, chattering or other interesting tidbit to The Hot Sheet, click here to submit via our contact form … yes, even anonymously if you’re feeling all cloak and dagger.

JW