DENVER – Happy Thursday everybody — time for a throwback. Read the Statesman’s Ernest Luning’s Yesteryear column and reminisce the olden political days with us: Denver Mayor Wellington Webb stands up for the old Mile High Stadium name, tension mounts between members under the Capitol dome over Amendment 23 and prayer, and more. #TBT

The old Mile High Stadium being demolished in 2002.

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” — Martin Luther King Jr.Now, your substrata feed straight from the politics pipeline:

Neguse all official at DORA — ICYMI, yesterday Democratic Party rising star Joe Neguse was officially confirmed unanimously as executive director of the Department of Regulatory Affairs by the Senate at the Business, Labor and Technology Committee hearing, after being nominated by his old political foe, Secretary of State Wayne Williams.

“Glad to talk about how one-time rival @JoeNeguse will be a great DORA director,” Williams said in a tweet.

Neguse was named to the position by Gov. Hickenlooper in May 2015, starting in the role effective June 1 the same year. Man it takes you guys a long time to get these confirmations done. Interim committee anyone?

Neguse is sure to not stick around DORA for long, a man with universally identifiable talent and certain political ambition, we will likely see him on the campaign trail again in the very near future.

Missing Person’s Day — Today is Missing Person’s day at the Capitol. Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg has the east steps of the Capitol reserved for 75 people between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm for a prayer vigil and balloon release to recognize the roughly 300 missing people in Colorado.

Laura Saxton, from Yuma Colorado, testified in committee yesterday in support of Sonnenberg’s SB-34, and on behalf of her daughter, Kelsie Schelling, who tragically went missing on Feb. 4, 2013. Saxton has been involved with the organizing the Missing Person’s Day event.

Laura Saxton testifies yesterday for Sen. Sonnenberg’s SB-34 in front of theSenate Judiciary Committee. It passed 3-2 out of committee.

A flyer for the Missing Persons Day events at the Capitol today.

Electronic participation in committee hearings on the horizon? — My illustrious HD-54 successor, Rep. Yeulin Willett‘s and Rep. Jeni Arndt’s bill to advance the possibility of participation — but not voting — electronically by members on interim committees (HB 1139) passed 10-1 out of House Local Government yesterday. The bill gives Legislative Council the power to consider and establish policies for said new fangled, high-tech electronic voting. The bill will also keep in place per diem for those members choosing to participate electronically in meetings (but no travel reimbursements … duh … the point right?)

The one no vote — Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt — I’m sure he has his reasons.

Former state Rep. Bob Gardner hot on the campaign trail — Last week at El Paso County’s Central Committee meeting in an animated and near-fiery speech, Gardner reminded the audience that he was “so vocal” in committee against the conservative-coined “Dirty Dozen”  tax bills passed in 2010, that the “Democrats tried to have [him] removed from committee.”Watch the Gardner El Paso County Central Committee speech here

Right-to-die legislation voted no right to live in Senate — Last night, after over four hours of emotionally moving public testimony, the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee voted 3-2 on party lines to postpone indefinitely SB-25, Sen. Mike Merrifield’s bill — driven by his own personal story — to offer critically ill patients the right to end their own lives. Read the full story in The Statesman here.

Voter registration numbers not looking so hot for Republicans  —Significant declines in the number of R registered voters across the state — specifically in key target House and Senate races — has been noted from December to January, and will likely be prompting a panic in the ranks. If the GOP, however, turns that panic into action, it is statistically possible for them to register the number of voters needed to make up the difference. Meanwhile, state Democrats continue to benefit from a growing transplant D population and successful Blue-Print-driven registration efforts.

Statesman Re-launch party tonight — We’ve just begun, 118 years young! — 5:30 pm at the Governor’s Mansion Carriage House. If you’ve been under a rock for the last month and still want tickets, contact me.

Rand Paul drops out — Libertarians across the country weep. 

Santorum ejects and backs Rubio — Significance of the story … Rubio.

Tancredo breaks champaign bottle across new Douglas County Tea party, they’re still banding together down south apparently — From The Statesman’s very own Ernest Luning — not “Earnest”,  Andrew Zucker — who attended the inaugural meeting of the Douglas County Tea party in Castle Rock last night, former “House Crazy” Tom Tancredo spoke to the group on one of his favorite topics, the Founding Fathers. Ernest will have a story in the works, Ibetchya.

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Jimmy Carter says, I’d take Trump over Cruz — Carter nutshells the sentiments of many a Democrat — and indeed even some Republicans — inThe Atlanta Constitution Journal

Hillary and Bernie continue locking horns, New Hampshire edition — In a state where Hillary herself admits she has an uphill battle to Sander’s intense, neighborhood state following, Clinton and Sanders sparred in a New Hampshire town hall debate last night, ICYMI. Sanders attacked, “I do not know any progressive who has a super PAC and takes $15 million from Wall Street.”

What about me!? exclaims Jon Caldara — In reference to a CBS story on Mayor Hancock and his family receiving free tickets from the Broncos to the Super Bowl (he is the Mayor guys, common), but wait … AND a taxpayer funded flight!? No, you don’t say says Caldara’s … eyebrows most certainly raised to the ceiling (I can see them now.)

“Throw back Thursday? Go throw yourself back inside your mother. — Grumpy CatBirthdays:

A very Happy Birthday to former U.S. Senate candidate and businessman Cleve Tidwell who once joked, “I’m making a decision to run for office or play a little more golf.” We hope you have been out there playing golf very happily somewhere, Cleve.

More from the wires:

From The Denver Post’s John Frank, Gov. Hickenlooper is not surprised by Bernie Sander’s Iowa finish. Hillary! Hillary? Hillary! Ugh, Hillary.

On KOA Radio yesterday, GOP state party chairman Steve House discusses the caucus process — confusing to so many, but so important to our fragile little political ecosphere.

The Statesman’s own Kara Mason — reports on  some of those weird bills y’all are running.

That I-70 tire tread bill? — We have our own story about that.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel’s Charles Ashby writes about HB1002, the Parental Leave Act, passed yesterday on Second reading and perhaps up for Thirds today. which is dearly beloved by the Democratic caucus and pretty much loathed by GOP members.

The Pueblo Commissioners don’t like your Columbus Day renaming bill, Joe.This, according to a report in the Pueblo Chieftain. 

The Hill’s Bradford Richardson reports that Marco Rubio has surged into second place in the most recent New Hampshire poll. This one conducted by WHDH/UMass Lowell. However … however: I still have a “YUUUUUGGGEEE” lead says Tump.

Diversions:

It’s official, legitimate prophecy now, a 700 pound grizzly bear named Ozzy has chosen the Denver Broncos over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl L … I mean 50. Don’t argue with him or he will eat you.

Colorado Capitol Watch — continually upping their game technologically — has this update – From our bill tracking partner at Colorado Capitol Watch: As of 2/3 – 318 bills introduced, with 13 new bills and 127 bi-partisan. For bills on the calendar today, click here.

House and Senate Calendars:

HOUSE – Your Feb. 4 Calendar here 

SENATE – Your Feb. 4 Calendar here 

You’re up to date. Continue to stay warm in there under the Gold Dome. Until tomorrow …

Tell us what you know! – To submit a 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