The Pueblo Chieftain editorial: Black Hills gall
Black Hills Energy has the gall to ask the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s two newest members to stop the third, Pueblo native and Denver lawyer Frances Koncilja, from hearing the company’s belated attempt to reverse a previous decision against it.
The move is unprecedented. Never before has the three-member PUC prevented one of its own from participating in a rate case. It’s inconceivable that Black Hills would even try such a desperate move.
After failing to get Koncilja to recuse (excuse) herself, Black Hills is trying to go through the backdoor to get her. The company claims Koncilja has been unfair when, in fact, one of the other commissioners, Wendy Moser, is a more obvious candidate for conflict of interest charges as a former Black Hills lawyer.
Colleagues and friends remember former Colorado state lawmaker Lew Entz
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Lew Entz, 94, a former Republican state senator from Hooper, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, following a long illness. A visitation for Entz is scheduled at Rogers Family Mortuary, 205 State St. in Alamosa, on Friday, Jan. 2, from 4 to...
Colorado’s cost of living soars, ranks third-most expensive in the U.S.
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
Colorado is now the third most expensive state to live in, according to a new report by a business group. Released on Thursday, the Colorado Scorecard “presents a mixed outlook,” according to the state chamber’s president and CEO, Loren Furman....
Appeals judge believes revised ‘reasonable doubt’ definition is unconstitutional
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Although Colorado’s second-highest court has issued multiple decisions in recent months upholding a revised definition of “reasonable doubt” from three years ago, an appellate judge became the first on Thursday to argue that a key phrase violates defendants’ constitutional right...
Thune nears spending deal with fiscal hawks ahead of Christmas recess
David Sivak, Washington Examiner
david.sivak.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is closing in on a deal to move the next set of spending bills, with the breakthrough leaving open the possibility the Senate could hold a floor vote before the Christmas recess. Leadership has run...
Dueling healthcare bills rejected by Senate as Obamacare subsidies set to expire
Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner
ramsey.touchberry.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Clashing healthcare plans from Republicans and Democrats both failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday, dividing lawmakers along mostly party lines and all but ensuring that Congress will fail to address enhanced Obamacare subsidies that expire at year’s end....
NATO chief says Europe is ‘Russia’s next target’ and continent must be prepared for world war
Molly Parks, Washington Examiner
molly.parks.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 4 hours ago
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a stern warning to the organization’s allied nations on Thursday, suggesting they stand as “Russia’s next target” after Ukraine. Rutte delivered the sobering message that NATO countries are “already in harm’s way” during a...
DOJ sues Colorado Secretary of State for refusing to release voter information
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold after she refused to provide the agency with certain voter information. Last week, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division asked Griswold’s office to provide unredacted...
Colorado unemployment fell to 4.1% in September, delayed data shows
Bernadette Berdychowski
bernadette.berdychowski@denvergazette.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Colorado’s unemployment rate is improving, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The state recorded 134,000 unemployed people in September, 4,800 fewer people compared to August. The state’s unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 4.1%. The national unemployment...
Rocky Mountain National Park at ‘tipping point’ with moose, embarks on plan
Seth Boster
seth-boster@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Moose’s impact on one of Colorado’s most cherished landscapes has been a concern over the years. Now Rocky Mountain National Park officials are launching an effort to address it. A recent webinar marked “the very beginning of this planning process,”...
CDOT did not violate constitutional rights of outdoor advertising company, appeals court says
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court concluded last month that the Colorado Department of Transportation did not violate the constitutional rights of an outdoor advertising company by denying two permits for billboards in Adams County. StreetMediaGroup, LLC argued CDOT violated its right to...