The Aurora Sentinel editorial: The undeniable logic for ending Colorado’s useless death penalty
Ending Colorado’s death penalty is no longer just about doing the right thing; it’s about doing the only thing the state can.
We have long argued that the death penalty is a repugnant, barbaric holdover from an unenlightened society, putting Colorado and much of the United States in the dubious company of North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
It’s a tragedy that Senate Bill 95 died in a state Senate committee Wednesday night on a party-line vote, but it’s not too late to try the measure in the State House, and let the public persuade partisan Republicans how very wrong they are on this issue.
The arguments against the death penalty, which is simply revenge murder, are compelling and unequivocal.
Colorado Reps. Hurd and Neguse join forces to modernize federal snow-forecasting program
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 43 minutes ago
A federal snow-forecasting program, to be updated under a bill from Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, won approval in the House on Wednesday. HR 3857, which amends the Snowpack Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act, is Hurd’s second bill to pass...
Colorado aims to close talent gap with new workforce development agency, initiatives
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 minutes ago
Colorado’s education leaders and legislators are planning changes to the state’s workforce development programs – including the creation of a new state agency – to help more students earn college degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. Gov. Jared Polis, House Speaker Julie...
Colorado legislators review wolf program as funding challenges persist
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 7 minutes ago
Wolves took center stage during a Tuesday review by Colorado legislators of the budget proposal from the Department of Natural Resources, which includes the division that manages the reintroduction program. The Joint Budget Committee reviewed the budget proposal for 2026-27...
Palmer Lake to discuss Buc-ee’s, recall elections Thursday
Savannah Eller
savannah-eller@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 49 minutes ago
The newly-whole Palmer Lake Board of Trustees will have an opportunity Thursday to discuss the setting for two issues going to town voters in the new year. The first is when and how to field a ballot question on the...
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioner Murphy Robinson resigns
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 22 hours ago
Murphy Robinson, who has served on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for just over a year, announced his resignation on Wednesday. In a statement, Gov. Jared Polis thanked Robinson, saying he is “incredibly grateful for Murphy’s service to the...
DOJ launches investigation into Colorado prison, youth facility conditions
Cleo Westin
cleo-westin@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 7 hours ago
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into possible constitutional violations of Colorado prisoners through inadequate treatment and transgender housing policy, according to federal authorities. The department’s letter of notice to Gov. Jared Polis on Monday identified housing...
Colorado Supreme Court’s opinion output drops by two-thirds amid justice’s absence
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 24 hours ago
The Colorado Supreme Court has released significantly fewer new opinions in recent months compared to the previous two years, even as the judicial branch insisted that a member’s open-ended absence is not causing delays. Justice Melissa Hart has been on...
Colorado’s universal preschool enrollment begins for upcoming school year
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
Enrollment is now open for Colorado’s universal preschool program, which provides up to 15 hours of free education for four-year-old children across the state. The $344 million program has served nearly 90,000 children since its creation in 2023, the Governor’s...
Divided 10th Circuit rules bank customer must arbitrate discrimination-related claims
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
The Denver-based federal appeals court ruled on Monday that a mandatory arbitration clause in the fine print of a customer’s bank account agreement prohibited her from pursuing claims of racial discrimination in court. Jeanetta Vaughn filed suit against JPMorgan Chase...
Colorado’s federal trial court denies admission to lawyer owing tens of thousands in dues, penalties
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
Colorado’s U.S. District Court declined last month to allow an attorney to practice before the court due to his failure to pay enrollment fees and penalties to another state’s bar association for years. The federal trial court requires attorneys to...