VOL. 01 NO. 131 | JULY 15, 2016 | COLORADOSTATESMAN.COM/THE-HOT-SHEET | © 2016By TCS CEO and Editor-In-Chief Jared Wright

DENVER – Another day, another somber moment in human history, another instance of horrible violence in the world. Thoughts and prayers for all of those in Nice, France, following the insidious terrorist attack there.

Read on for your daily update in Colorado political news. Today, we’ve added the Daily #CoPolitics brief section to give you a complete picture of Colorado political happenings from across the web.

‘This is war.’ Yes, it is.

– Sen. Chris Holbert

Now, your substrata feed straight from Colorado’s politics pipeline:

WHAT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE SAYS ABOUT THE NICE, FRANCE, TERROR ATTACK: Colorado Congressional delegation responds to the horrific news out of France – 

“Tonight we are standing with the people of France. Our hearts go out to the victims of this attack, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who were killed. We will learn more about tonight’s events in the coming hours and days, but there is never a justification for this type of brutal attack on innocent people. We must stand together and fight back against the hate that led to this tragedy.” – U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet

“Sickened by another apparent terrorist attack in Europe. The U.S. stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of France.” – U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-CO

“We stand in unity with France. Thoughts & love go out to all of those impacted by the tragic attack in Nice.” – U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-CD2

“We stand with France after last night’s tragic attack and mourn the loss of innocent lives. We will not let evil win.” – U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-CD3

“Evil has struck again, this time in Nice, France. Let’s pray tonight for those impacted by this horrible terrorist attack.” – U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-CD4

“Pray for Nice and the victims of this horrific attack.” – U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-CD5

“My heart goes out to the French people in the aftermath of another horrible terrorist attack. Radical Islamic terrorists have declared war on all, to include other Muslims, who do not share in their vision of hate. They must be destroyed. So long as they are allowed to put forward the narrative that their movement is ascendant, they will continue to inspire new attacks and we must join with others to end their perceived momentum by destroying their so-called caliphate and eradicating any safe harbors they may have.” – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-CD6

As of this morning’s release of the Hot Sheet, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette, D-CD1, and Ed Perlmutter, D-CD7, have not issued statements.

YES, IT REALLY, REALLY IS MIKE PENCE – In a crazy up and down news cycle yesterday, some were beginning to doubt that conservative orthodox Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who started his (successful) political career in talk radio, would really be selected as Donald Trump‘s running mate. Inside reports told us even Pence himself was beginning to have some anxiety when Trump announced he would delay his Friday news conference due to the terrorist attack in Nice. Trump – in true Trump reality TV suspense style – said he hadn’t yet made a “final, final decision” among the three finalists. The reason for Pence’s nervousness: He was required by state election rules to make a decision on whether or not to withdraw from the governor’s race there by 12:00 p.m. today. Last night, Pence’s plane reportedly reversed course on a chartered flight from Indiana to New Jersey, heading back to Indiana after Trump’s announcement mid-flight.

Pence can breath easy today. Trump announced this morning on Twitter, “I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.”

ONECOLORADO RESPONDS TO TRUMP’S PICK OF PENCE – OneColorado having a response ready in the can given the leaked news, responded to Donald Trump’s picking Mike Pence as his running mate: “Donald Trump has proven he is no friend to the LGBTQ community.” Full story here

COLORADO REPUBLICAN NATIONAL DELEGATE AND RULES COMMITTEE MEMBER KENDAL UNRUH DRAWS UNABASHED CONSERVATIVE COMPARISON DURING EFFORT TO ‘FREE THE DELEGATES’ – Reports out of the hours-long Republican National Rules Committee meeting yesterday said Colorado NeverTrump Delegate Kendal Unruh compared forcing a delegate to vote for Trump to forcing a doctor to perform an abortion during her support of allowing delegates to have a “conscience vote.” Unruh was the only delegate to speak in support of rules that would have unbound delegates from supporting the candidate who won in their respective state primary or convention votes. The effort was quashed with only 12 members of the committee supporting the rebellion, “far short of the 28 needed to force a minority report,” according to The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs.

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT, warned of an impending convention floor revolt during the rules committee meeting, stating “This problem, this angst is not going to go away because we paper it over with rules.”

“The effort was squashed by veteran Republican operatives working on behalf of the Trump campaign and the RNC,” according to reports.

Full story here

SPEAKING OF UNRUH, MEET THE COLORADO WOMAN WHO NBC NEWS SAID ‘COULD TAKE DOWN DONALD TRUMP’ … that is … before the rules committee meeting happened yesterday – Kendal Unruh, a high school teacher at Jim Elliot Christian School in Englewood, and delegate to the Republican National Convention earned herself some national media attention. In a story headlined “Meet the woman who could take down Donald Trump,” Unruh is interviewed on camera along with North Dakota’s Curly Haugland, leader of the “Free the Delegates” movement.

“In the span of one month, she has built an organization, has attracted the support of donors and has raised $3.5 million for the effort,” reads the story. “National and international media is demanding her attention as she’s the anti-Trump Republicans’ last stand.”

Kendal Unruh

Unruh and others with the Free the Delegates movement and Delegates Unbound even rented office space in downtown Cleveland, paying staff to strategize the group’s next moves.

“Fellow Colorado delegate, State Rep. Justin Everett, said he’s known Unruh since 2004 the first time he ran for national delegate.

“Everett said he admires what she’s doing and called her ‘principled’ and ‘a fighter.’

“A delegate on the rules committee who is sympathetic to Unruh’s efforts said, ‘I think she does a pretty good job of organizing on a grassroots perspective.'”

Read the full story here

REP. JUSTIN EVERETT KNOWS HE CAN MAKE IT – House District 22 state Rep. Justin Everett, R-Littleton, is also a delegate to the Republican National Convention and is back in Cleveland right now. He said he’s been losing weight, dropping 25 pounds after session and has been running consistently. At Denver altitude, he can run 4 blocks flat-out, and at Cleveland elevation thinks he can do 7 blocks if needed. “I’m trying to figure out what to do with all this oxygen.” So in case he encounters any protests on his way to the convention hall, he doesn’t plan to get caught in any crowds.

LIBBY SZABO TO SPEAK AT GOP NATIONAL CONVENTION ON MAIN STAGE … YES, THE ONE AND ONLY LIBBY SZABO … YES, ON THE MAIN STAGE – Former House Minority Leader turned Jefferson County Commissioner Libby Szabo: “‘At the real convention, not just at a luncheon or something like that?'” Szabo said she asked the RNC official. “She said, ‘Yeah, on the stage,’ and I said, ‘Well, little Libby’s all grown up,'” Then, after a hearty laugh, Szabo added, “What an opportunity, huh?”

Szabo said she hadn’t decided what she’d talk about – she didn’t have many details, including how long she would speak or where she would appear in the program – but said she might be able to use a line about presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in her speech.

“‘Liar, liar, pantsuit on fire!'” Szabo said with a laugh, adding that she’d used the phrase in a recent fundraising email she’d sent out talking about honesty in government.

Full story here

Jefferson County Commissioner Libby Szabo greets Republicans at the Jefferson County GOP assembly on March 19 in Lakewood. (Photo by Ernest Luning/The Colorado Statesman)

STILL FIGHTING FOR HILLARY, FORMER DENVER MAYOR WELLINGTON WEBB MEETS WITH BILL CLINTON, OTHER LEADERS AT HILLARY FOR AMERICA NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS – The former big man in Denver, Mayor Wellington Webb, made a big trip to New York Monday, meeting with Bill Clinton and other leaders at Hillary for America campaign headquarters. Via Facebook:

DEGETTE, PELOSI SLAM HOUSE GOP FOR FAILURE TO TAKLE BIG ISSUES BEFORE RECESS – Colorado’s Rep. Diana DeGette condemned the House Republican leadership for going on recess prior to voting on several important national issues. The House GOP “has packed their bags without tackling #guns, #Zika, #Flint, and other critical issues,” tweeted DeGette. “Their #BetterWay has hit a roadblock.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi added via Twitter, The House GOP “is gone for longest recess in at least 60 years, did no work on #gunviolence, #Zika, and more. Shameful.”

Congress is leaving on a seven week recess to turn their attention to the political conventions and their own reelection bids.

FORT COLLINS GIRL HAS LUNCH WITH FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA – A Fort Collins girl is having lunch with First Lady Michelle Obama after winning a national children’s healthy cooking contest, reports the Associated Press. Ten-year-old Hannah Skalicky and her mother Cindy were representing Colorado at the White House on Thursday at the Kids’ “State Dinner.” Hannah is one of 56 children selected to attend after submitting recipes for healthy, affordable and tasty lunches. Hannah’s winning entry was for sweet and savory chicken and peaches.

Full story on the Kid’s State Dinner here

CLINTON CAMPAIGN OPENING TWO MORE CAMPAIGN OFFICES IN CENTENNIAL AND GREELEY TOMORROW – Hillary for Colorado and the Democratic coordinated campaign will open two more organizing offices tomorrow in Centennial, and Greeley. The five new offices across the state will add to the offices already open in Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, West Denver, Wheat Ridge, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo. Congressional candidates Morgan Carroll and Bob Seay will help to open offices in their districts and discuss the contrast between Hillary Clinton‘s plans to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, and Donald Trump’s dangerous and reckless economic policies.

SEN. BILL ARMSTRONG’S FUNERAL TO BE BROADCASTS ONLINE – If you can’t make it to Sen. Bill Armstrong‘s funeral today at Cherry Hills Community Church, it will be livestreamed. Watch it here. Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags be lowered to half-staff statewide on all public buildings from sunrise until sunset on Friday, July 15, 2016, in honor of former U.S. Senator Bill Armstrong who passed away on July 6.

SEN. MARK SCHEFFEL DONATES $1K TO ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION WITH COLORADO BANKERS ASSOCIATION HELP – The Colorado Bankers Association on Thursday donated $1,000 The Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on behalf of state Sen. Mark Scheffel.

Pictured left to right are: Sen. Scheffel, Linda Mitchell and Coral Cosway of the Alzehimer’s Association and Jenifer Waller, CBA.

Scheffel facilitated the donation, having identified the organization to receive the $1,000 prize he won earlier in 2016 during the Colorado Bankers Association’s annual legislative briefing.

He selected the organization as the donation recipient “due to my friendship with Beth Bowlen and the commitment of the Bowlen family to Alzheimer’s disease awareness and research.”

Beth Bowlen Wallace is the daughter of Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who is living with the disease. She serves on the chapter’s board of directors. Currently, more than 65,000 Coloradans are affected with Alzheimer’s disease; that number is expected to reach 100,000 by 2025.

GOV. HICKENLOOPER SIGNS COMPACT TO FIGHT OPIOID ADDICTION WHILE REP. SCOTT TIPTON CONTINUES FIGHT ‘EPIDEMIC’ AS WELL – Gov. John Hickenlooper this week joined fellow governors to sign a compact to fight opioid addiction during the National Governors Association Summer Meeting. This compact builds on the long-standing commitment to collectively fight the opioid crisis.

“Colorado has made important strides to combat the prescription drug misuse and abuse that affects a significant percentage of Coloradans across the state,” said Hickenlooper. “We have more to do. I look forward to continuing this work with my fellow governors on a national level.”

Highlights of the compact include:

U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton continues to hold roundtable meetings on opioid abuse, his next in Grand Junction on July 20 at the Old Courthouse Annex Meeting Room, 544 Rood Ave at 8:30 a.m.

“The opioid abuse epidemic is having a heartbreaking impact on communities across the United States, including here in Colorado’s 3rd District. The effects of the epidemic extend far beyond those who are suffering from addiction. Families, friends and entire communities feel the impacts through loss of life, increased strain on the healthcare system and a rise in gang activity and drug-related violence. Congress has an obligation to support state governments and local groups in their efforts to reverse widespread opioid abuse,” said Tipton.

We have had far too many tragedies for Congress to continuing addressing gun violence with silence.”

– U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter

YOUR BRIEFING IN ALL THINGS POLITICAL

GLENN REJECTS ‘PIVOTING TOWARD CENTER’ AS HE MOVES PAST GOP SENATE PRIMARY – In an unpredictable political year and on the heels of his upset win in last month’s primary, Republican Darryl Glenn is counting on the same mix of straight talk and shoe leather that propelled him from underdog status to U.S. Senate nominee to help him topple Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. Full story here.

POLL: GARY JOHNSON LEADS TRUMP AMONG COLORADO INDEPENDENTS – Democrat Hillary Clinton is sitting on a 10-point lead over Republican Donald Trump in a head-to-head race for swing-state Colorado’s nine electoral votes, according to a poll of registered voters conducted this week by Fox News. The same poll shows Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet beating Republican challenger Darryl Glenn by 15 points. Full story here.

SCHWARTZ OUTRAISES TIPTON FOR 2ND QUARTER BUT LAGS HIS CASH ON HAND – Democrat Gail Schwartz raised $622,960 in her first fundraising quarter, outpacing her rival, U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, whose campaign raised more than $400,000. But the Cortez Republican has nearly twice as much money in the bank, according to preliminary figures. Full story here.

FIVE THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT DARRYL GLENN – This week, we feature Darryl Glenn, the whiz-bang candidate for U.S. Senate who seemingly came out of nowhere to win the Republican nomination on June 28. Soon, he’ll find himself speaking to the Republican National Convention. More about that later. Full story here.

GOP PANEL DEFEATS ANTI-TRUMP EFFORT ON CONVENTION DELEGATES – In a major blow to Republican foes of Donald Trump, a committee at the GOP national convention voted late Thursday to rebuff a push to let delegates vote for any presidential candidate they’d like. The rules committee used a voice vote to reject a proposal by Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh to let delegates “cast a vote of conscience” and abandon the candidate they’d been committed to by state primaries or caucuses. Full story here.

COFFMAN CLEARS $500,000 IN MOST RECENT QUARTER, CARROLL RAISES NEARLY $400,000 – U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman will report that he raised more than half a million dollars in the most recent quarter, while state Sen. Morgan Carroll, his Democratic challenger, raised nearly $400,000, their campaigns said Thursday. The battle for the nearly evenly split 6th Congressional District is living up to its billing as among the most competitive House races in the country this year. Full story here.

Darryl Glenn, Libby Szabo and Benghazi vets tapped to speak at RNC – Colorado will be represented by an outsized share of speakers on stage at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next week, including the GOP Senate nominee, an outspoken county commissioner and two Coloradans who were part of the security team during the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Full story here

COPOLS: Trump picks Pence, One Colorado slams pick – “Once again, Donald Trump has proven he is no friend to the LGBTQ community. From his opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision to bring the freedom to marry to all Americans, to his agreement with the staunchly anti-LGBTQ Republican platform, and now his nomination of Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his Vice President, Trump continues to demonstrate his willingness to rollback the victories our community has made over the years. Read the full post here.

COPOLS: NANCY DOTY SAYS PALIN’S SPEECH WAS ‘JUST SPOT ON’ – Colorado state senate candidate Nancy Doty praised Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin‘s speech in Colorado last week, calling it “just spot on” and “very, very good.” – Read more here.

POLL: CLINTON LEADS TRUMP IN COLORADO – Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has an eight point lead in Colorado over Republican Donald Trump, according to an NBC poll released Thursday evening. Full story here.

PEAKPOLITICS: BENNET’S RECORD: WHATEVER HAPPENS TO ALL THOSE BILLS HE SPONSORS – While reading yet another press release from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s office bragging about a bill he was mooching cosponsoring with other lawmakers, it occurred to us that we never actually hear about any of Bennet’s own original legislation actually passing Congress and getting signed into law by President Obama. Full post here.

ALTERNET: DENVER USES FUNDS DESIGNATED TO HELP HOMELES PEOPLE TO HARASS THEM INSTEAD – The city of Denver recently got caught with its hand in the cookie jar when an investigative report from local news affiliate CBS4 revealed that thousands of dollars donated by the public to provide assistance to the homeless had been misappropriated by the city. The worst part? The funds were used in March to help cover the costs of a sweep removing homeless people living in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood. Full post here.

CANDIDATE ANALYSIS IN HOUSE DISTRICT 30 RACE – Rep. JoAnn Windholz (R) vs. Dafna Michaelson (D). Check it out here.

COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 11 BOARD DECENDS INTO CONFUSION OVER VACANCY APPOINTMENT – The issue of whether to appoint a replacement board position from names Colorado Springs School District 11 board members suggest or hold a public hearing for anyone interested in filling the vacated seat came down to a matter of semantics Tuesday night. Fully story here.

COLORADO’S REPUBLICAN DELEGATES STILL DON’T LIKE ‘CHARLATAN’ AND ‘DIRTBAG’ TRUMP – The Colorado delegation to the Republican national convention has long been one of the most vocal redoubts of opposition to Donald Trump in the Republican party. But emails shared with the Guardian reveal how divisive the conflict over Trump has become, with supporters of the GOP nominee comparing Never Trumpers to opponents of Jesus Christ and using a 12-year-old to make threatening phone calls to coax anti-Trump delegates into supporting him. Full story here.

CANADA LOOKS TO COLORADO TO SEE WHAT’S UP WITH MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION – That other states interested in relaxing their marijuana laws – whether for medical or recreational purposes – have been following developments in Colorado and Washington State is understood. The attention has been both positive and negative, such as (unsuccessful) lawsuits against Colorado filed by adjacent states. Full story here.

COLORADO SEN. CORY GARDNER JOINS PUSH FOR EPA REIMBURSEMENTS – Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner joined fellow lawmakers Thursday in a push to ensure faster Environmental Protection Agency reimbursement of counties for costs related to the Gold King Mine disaster. Gardner and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) are requesting a hearing on the matter. They’ve introduced legislation – Gold King Accountability and Compensation for Taxpayers – to address concerns that counties were not being fully reimbursed. Full story here.

White House: Budget deficit to rise to $600 billion – The White House is predicting the government’s budget deficit for the soon-to-close fiscal year will hit $600 billion. That’s an increase of $162 billion over last year’s tally and a reversal of a steady trend of large but improving deficits on President Barack Obama’s watch. Full story here.

COLORADO DEPUTY FIRES ‘1 IN A BILLION’ SHOT INTO SUSPECT’S GUNBARREL – Investigators say an off-duty Colorado sheriff’s deputy fired a bullet straight down the barrel of a suspect’s gun, a shot they called “one in a billion.” The detail emerged in a letter from prosecutors Wednesday announcing that Arapahoe County Deputy Jose Marquez was justified in shooting the attempted-robbery suspect, who survived. Marquez also was wounded in the January shooting and is still recovering. Full story here.

HILLARY CLINTON’S VP PICK: FIVE PEOPLE TO WATCH – As she nears a decision on her own running mate, Hillary Clinton and her campaign are watching Donald Trump’s search with astonishment. Full story here.

Events:

Talking Transit with Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp – Saturday, July 16, 10:30 a.m. at Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St, Arvada. State Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp will host a town hall meeting along with representatives from RTD, CDOT, Plenary Roads Denver and E-470 to discuss RTD’s new Fastracks B Line rail service connecting Westminster to Union Station, which debuts July 25. Also up for discussion: US36 transit improvements and other transportation issues of concern to residents of House District 29.

“Hillary for Colorado” Centennial Office Opening with Congressional Candidate Morgan Carroll – Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Noon at 12835 E Arapahoe Road, Tower 2, Suite 400, Centennial, CO. Media-only RSVP to: mthatcher@hillaryclinton.com.

“Hillary for Colorado” Greeley Office Opening with Congressional Candidate Bob Seay – Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Noon at 4895 W 10th St., Greeley, CO. Media-only RSVP to: mthatcher@hillaryclinton.com.

Foothills Republicans Small Donor Committee hosts Pizza Party Fundraiser with Joe and Gail Coors – Sunday, July 17, 4:00 – 8:00p.m. Calling all Republicans. Rain or shine, here’s your chance to meet candidates and elected officials! Join the party with wood-fired pizzas made on-site as guests mingle inside and outside at the home of Jim and Mary Everson in the Ken Caryl Valley, 15 Barrington Drive, Littleton CO 80127. Invited attendees, elected and candidates include: Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado, County Commissioners Libby Szabo* and Frank Teunissen, District Attorney JD1 Pete Weir, State Senator Laura Woods, State House of Representatives HD22 Justin Everett*, HD 23 Chris Hadsall, HD29 Susan Kochevar, HD24 Joy Bowman*, HD25 Tim Leonard, HD27 Lang Sias, HD28 Nancy Pallozzi, CU Regent candidate Heidi Ganahl, State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, State Senator Tim Neville*, County Commissioner Don Rosier*, County Treasurer Tim Kauffman*, County Assessor Ron Sandstrom*, County Sheriff Jeff Shrader. *Denotes invited guests.

Advanced Tactical AR-15 Course & Fundraiser for George Athanasopolous for Congress – Friday, July 29, 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Delta Force veterans will headline an advanced tactical AR-15 course to help raise funds for George for Congress. Location: Great Guns Range, 16126 County Road 96, Nunn, CO. Tickets are $700 and include personalized instruction from Special Ops on how to drive your AR-15 like a special forces operator. Ammunition and lunch are also included. Questions? Email George@GeorgeforColorado.com or RSVP at GeorgeforColorado.com/delta.

100 Kids that Cook – Saturday, July 30, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd., Denver, Come out and support these young people show off their culinary skills. tell your family and friends to come out and support this event. The funds are raised to help watch care academy. Tickets here.El Paso County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner – Fri., August 12, 6:00 – 9:00p.m. Join the El Paso County GOP to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln. Guests include U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn. Location: Cheyenne Mountain Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906. For more information, contact Mary Bradfield at secretary@gopelpaso.com or (719) 578-0022. For tickets, visit here.

Want your event listed? Just let us know.

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