VOL. 02 NO. 017 | February 1, 2017 | COLORADOSTATESMAN.COM/THE-HOT-SHEET | © 2017

DENVER – Good morning this February 1 and 22nd day of the 71st General Assembly. Lots has happened in Colorado politics over these last few weeks. The big news last night coming out of D.C.  … obviously. One of Colorado’s own residents – Neil Gorsuch (born in Denver, CO, and a judge for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals) – has been nominated by President Donald Trump to join the other eight jurists on the high court.

One interesting fact: Gorsuch is a strong opponent of assisted suicide (or death with dignity, take your pick) – likely including Colorado’s new End of Life Options Act – writing and publishing a book titled “The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia” in 2006.

In other news, yesterday, Republican House Minority Leader Rep. Patrick Neville delivered a searing speech during a Democratic Paty-led House Joint Resolution condemning Trump’s travel ban executive order. Neville decried the Democratic caucus’s political attempt to lash Republicans to anti-Muslim sentiment, calling on his own experiences on the battlefield in Afghanistan, where he was regularly accompanied by a Muslim interpreter who he admired and respected – a personal story that was distinctive during what some felt was a rather epic political stunt by the left. Shock! Politics occurs within the walls of the state Capitol? … No way.

On the Democratic side however, Rep. Joe Salazar said he was appalled that Republican members did not stand for the resolution – as is decorum, he contended. Salazar took photos across the aisle, posting them on his Facebook account. One Republican House member, Rep. Dan Thurlow, R-Grand Junction, can be seen standing among his colleagues during the reading of the resolution.

News and Opinion from The Colorado Statesman

? Supreme Court case influences use of Native American team names

Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch has conservative pedigree

Trump nominates Colorado’s Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court

Bennet votes no on DeVos nomination

“There is nothing in the conversations I’ve had with this nominee, or in her experience in Michigan or Detroit, that gives me confidence that she can lead us in the direction we need, which is to ensure that every kid in America has access to high-quality education, whether or not they are born into wealth. That is why I will vote against this nomination.” – Sen. Michael Bennet

Colorado College poll: Mountain West voters oppose public lands transfer

Capitol crowd roars against proposed rollbacks of health care coverage: ‘Obamacare! What a wonderful word’

Official: Some refugees still arriving in Colorado this week in wake of order

Colorado House resolution demands Trump lift order banning some refugee, immigrant U.S. entry

? Gardner co-sponsors federal building energy saving bill

? Republican legislative leaders say solutions, ‘red meat’ on tap for session

State Capitol Social Calendar

Joint Radiology, Anesthesiology and Emergency MedicineJoint Radiology, Anesthesiology and Emergency Medicine Legislative Reception5:00-6:30pmThe ART Hotel, 1201 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203Contact : Carol Goddard (303) 770-6048 carol@goddardassociates.com

The First Shot

“If President Trump intended to ban Muslims from our country this past weekend, it was a laughable effort … Something like 87 percent of the world’s Muslims continue to be able to seek visas to visit our country.”

–  Colorado House Minority Leader Rep. Patrick Neville

Judge Neil Gorsuch Nomination

Donald Trump nominates Colorado’s Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/neil-gorsuch-nominated-supreme-court-us/

Trump names Colorado’s Neil Gorsuch as his pick for the U.S. Supreme Court

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/01/31/trump-names-coloradosneil-gorsuch-as-his-pick-for.html

TRANSCRIPT:  Neil Gorsach’s full remarks after accepting the U.S. Supreme Court nomination

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/neil-gorsach-full-remarks-supreme-court-nomination/

Neil Gorsuch childhood friend recalls formative years

http://kdvr.com/2017/01/31/neil-gorsuch-childhood-friend-recalls-formative-years/

Trump Picks Judge from Denver As Nominee For U.S. Supreme Court

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/01/31/neil-gorsuch-u-s-supreme-court-donald-trump/

Colorado politicians react to Trump’s pick for Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch

http://www.9news.com/news/local/politics/colorado-politicians-react-to-trumps-pick-for-supreme-court-neil-gorsuch/395167717

Gorsuch draws praise, condemnation from Colorado leaders

http://coloradopolitics.com/gorsuch-draws-praise-condemnation-colorado-leaders/

The General Assembly

Colorado House passes resolution urging repeal of president’s travel ban

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/colorado-house-repeal-trump-travel-ban/

Colorado House passes a resolution opposing President Trump’s immigration restrictions

https://www.denverite.com/colorado-house-passes-resolution-opposing-president-trumps-immigration-restrictions-28478/?src=parsely

Colorado House GOP defend Trump on travel ban, Dems pass resolution

http://gazette.com/colorado-house-gop-defend-trump-on-travel-ban-dems-pass-resolution/article/1595614

Colorado House Republican leader offers defense of Trump’s immigration orders

http://coloradopolitics.com/colorado-house-republican-leader-offers-defense-trumps-immigration-orders/

Colorado lawmaker wants to let victims of crimes committed by immigrants sue politicians in “sanctuary cities”

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/30/crime-victims-sue-politicians-sanctuary-cities/

House Debate Underway on Resolution Condemning Trump

http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/91446/house-debate-underway-on-resolution-condemning-donald-trump#sthash.ocfgMfin.dpbs

Idiotic Sanctuary City Bill Not Ready for Prime Time

http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/91476/idiotic-sanctuary-city-bill-not-ready-for-prime-time#sthash.tQArW8gM.dpbs

EDITORIAL:  Give Colorado cyclists the freedom to roll through intersections

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/give-colorado-cyclists-the-freedom-to-roll-through-intersections/

Bloomberg money again playing role in Colorado gun-related issues

http://completecolorado.com/pagetwo/2017/01/31/bloomberg-money-again-playing-role-in-colorado-gun-related-issues/

Rally Held at State Capitol Over Affordable Care Act, Insurance Exchange

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/01/31/affordable-care-act-rally-colorado-capitol/

Colorado hits insurance milestone amid big questions

http://www.9news.com/news/health/colorado-hits-insurance-milestone-amid-big-questions/395142309

Remember Magpul! GOP aims to repeal ‘arbitrary’ limits on gun magazines

http://coloradopolitics.com/remember-magpul-gop-aims-repeal-arbitrary-limits-gun-magazines/

Bill to gut default-plagued loan fund for disabled families heads to House vote

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/disabled-families-loan-bill-house-vote/

Meet the Colorado Republicans who want to reclaim their party’s education reform agenda

http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2017/01/31/meet-the-colorado-republicans-who-want-to-reclaim-their-partys-education-reform-agenda/

Pot pioneer Colorado just now taking look at PTSD treatment

http://www.aurorasentinel.com/news/state/pot-pioneer-colorado-just-now-taking-look-ptsd-treatment/

VIDEO: Sonnenberg sees hope for state ag beyond end of trade pact

http://coloradopolitics.com/video-sonnenberg-sees-hope-state-ag-beyond-end-trade-pact/

GETTING NOTICED: Matt Arnold Becomes Poster Child for Frivolous Campaign Finance Lawsuits

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2017/01/31/getting-noticed-matt-arnold-becomes-poster-child-for-frivolous-campaign-finance-lawsuits/

Politics in Colorado

Michael Hancock quietly raises $77,000 to run for 3rd term as Denver mayor

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/michael-hancock-fundraising-for-3rd-term-denver-mayor/

ICYMI:  El Paso County’s Sherrie Gibson seeks state GOP vice chair

http://gazette.com/el-paso-countys-sherrie-gibson-seeks-state-gop-vice-chair/article/1595644

Gorsuch draws praise, condemnation from Colorado leaders

http://coloradopolitics.com/gorsuch-draws-praise-condemnation-colorado-leaders/

Whaddya know: Steve Lebsock really IS interested in the governor’s race

http://coloradopolitics.com/whaddya-know-steve-lebsock-really-interested-governors-race/

Meet Three Colorado Politicos Who Like Trump’s Refugee Ban

http://www.westword.com/news/meet-three-colorado-politicos-who-like-trumps-refugee-ban-8744878

Ken Buck Only Member of Colo. Delegation to Back Travel Ban

http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/91467/ken-buck-only-member-of-colo-delegation-to-back-travel-ban#sthash.Ui9ARPGc.dpbs

…So, who will pick up the tab for governor’s trip to Cuba?

http://coloradopolitics.com/will-pick-tab-governors-trip-cuba/

Colorado Government

Colorado extends deadline to sign up for health insurance on state exchange to Friday

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/colorado-extends-deadline-to-sign-up-for-health-insurance-on-state-exchange-to-friday

Mirroring the Fight In DC, Colorado Wrestles With Its Health Insurance Future

http://www.cpr.org/news/story/mirroring-the-fight-in-dc-colorado-is-wrestling-with-the-future-of-its-insurance-exchange

Colorado’s health insurance exchange extends deadline amid heavy traffic

http://gazette.com/colorados-health-insurance-exchange-extends-deadline-amid-heavy-traffic/article/1595640

Republicans defend plan to repeal health insurance exchange despite protests

http://coloradopolitics.com/republicans-defend-plan-repeal-health-insurance-exchange-despite-protests/

Senator: ‘Not a single person on this panel, if they could avoid it, would allow their kid to attend’ Detroit schools

http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/detroit/2017/01/31/senator-not-a-single-person-on-this-panel-if-they-could-avoid-it-would-allow-their-kid-to-attend-detroit-schools/

Colorado education department asking thousands of educators for new criminal background checks

http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2017/01/31/colorado-education-department-asking-thousands-of-educators-for-new-criminal-background-checks/

Colorado Springs group speaks out against education secretary pick

http://gazette.com/colorado-springs-group-speaks-out-against-education-secretary-pick/article/1595626

WASHINGTON STYLE POLITICS: Bennet Boycotts Confirmation Votes

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2017/01/31/washington-style-politics-bennet-boycotts-confirmation-votes/

Time for Colorado Energy Office to receive more than an audit

https://www.i2i.org/time-for-colorado-energy-office-to-receive-more-than-an-audit/

Poll shows strong support for public lands in Western states

http://coloradopolitics.com/colorado-college-poll-public-land/

Airbnb will begin collecting taxes in Colorado

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/01/31/airbnb-will-begin-remitting-taxes-to-state-of.html

FAKE CONSTITUENTS: Have Activists Become We The People?

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2017/01/31/fake-constituents-have-activists-become-we-the-people/

You can buy the random, unclaimed stuff from the city of Denver

http://www.9news.com/news/local/next/you-can-buy-the-random-unclaimed-stuff-from-the-city-of-denver/395121139

Government, Denver company expect spike in Super Bowl drunk driving

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/01/31/government-denver-company-expect-spike-in-super.html

Controversial Orchard Station plan headed to Greenwood Village City Council

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/orchard-station-light-rail-plan-greenwood-village-city-council/

Former Mountain Village mayor saved after skiing heart attack in Telluride

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/mountain-village-mayor-skiing-heart-attack-telluride/

Colorado and President Trump

Not even Colorado charter school advocates can agree on Betsy DeVos nomination

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/30/colorado-charter-schools-betsey-devos/

OPINION:  The Jeff Sessions that I know is no racist

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/31/the-jeff-sessions-that-i-know-is-no-racist/

EDITORIAL: Trump’s new order might achieve economic goal

http://gazette.com/editorial-trumps-new-order-might-achieve-economic-goal/article/1595553

Student Claims To Be Assaulted On Light Rail For Wearing Trump Hat

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/01/31/donald-trump-assault-light-rail-denver/

Afghan translator now in Denver vetted for 2 years before special visa was approved

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/afghan-translator-now-in-denver-vetted-for-2-years-before-special-visa-was-approved

Boulder DA on Advising Trump About Pot, Avoiding Refugee-Ban Disaster

http://www.westword.com/news/boulder-da-on-advising-trump-about-pot-avoiding-refugee-ban-disaster-8745285

Framed by the national media?

http://www.aspentimes.com/news/framed-by-the-national-media/

One Colorado shares information, concerns over Trump during Colorado Springs public meeting

http://gazette.com/one-colorado-shares-information-concerns-over-trump-during-colorado-springs-public-meeting/article/1595649

Colorado Springs group speaks out against education secretary pick

http://gazette.com/colorado-springs-group-speaks-out-against-education-secretary-pick/article/1595626

WASHINGTON STYLE POLITICS: Bennet Boycotts Confirmation Votes

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2017/01/31/washington-style-politics-bennet-boycotts-confirmation-votes/

I-25 and I-70 Projects on Trump Infrastructure Priority List – Sort of

http://www.westword.com/news/i-25-and-i-70-projects-on-trump-infrastructure-priority-list-sort-of-8745613

Littwin: It’s Day 12. The nation is in crisis.

http://www.coloradoindependent.com/163721/littwin-coffman-gardner-trump-bannon-sessions-sally-yates

Just for laughs

Calendar

February 1st

Arapahoe County Republican Breakfast Club

Liberty on the Rocks

February 2nd

Reagan Club of Colorado monthly meeting

2017 Logan County Organizational Meeting

February 3rd

Denver GOP First Friday Breakfast

Parker Breakfast Club

February 4th

Denver GOP Organizational Mtg

Gunnison GOP Organizational Mtg

Arapahoe County GOP Organizational Mtg

Boulder Dems County Party Reorganization

Today in history

2003 – Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during the reentry of mission STS-107 into the Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

2002 – Daniel Pearl, American journalist and South Asia Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, kidnapped January 23, 2002, is beheaded and mutilated by his captors.

1998 – Rear Admiral Lillian E. Fishburne becomes the first female African American to be promoted to rear admiral.

1968 – The New York Central Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad are merged to form Penn Central Transportation.

1964 – The Beatles have their first number one hit in the United States with “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.

1942 – Voice of America, the official external radio and television service of the United States government, begins broadcasting with programs aimed at areas controlled by the Axis powers.

1893 – Thomas A. Edison finishes construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria in West Orange, New Jersey.

1865 – President Abraham Lincoln signs the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

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