Here are the five most important Colorado Politics stories of the past week as chosen by staffers.

1) Bennet votes to vote, then votes no on Gorsuch

Staffer’s choice: Joey Bunch, senior political correspondent

In a nutshell: Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet ended weeks of speculation and debate Thursday regarding the confirmation of fellow Coloradan Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court. He took King Solomon’s approach and split the baby – he was one of three Senate Democrats to side with Republicans to end debate and proceed to a final vote, rather than filibuster; then he sided with Democrats and voted no on confirmation.

Read the story here.

2) Colorado sanctuary city crackdown, take 2

Staffer’s choice: Joey Bunch, senior political correspondent

In a nutshell: The Colorado Senate will try its hand at allowing crime victims to seek retribution from cities with sanctuary city policies for undocumented residents. The first bill in the Colorado House would have allowed victims to sue or seek criminal charges against policymakers. The Colorado Senate bill puts taxpayers on the hook.

Read the story here.

3) Prominent Syrian Coloradans speak out on chemical attacks

Staffer’s choice: Mary MacCarthy, video producer & reporter

In a nutshell: Early this week we told you about how some Syrian-Americans in Denver reacted to the chemical attack on civilians in Syria, allegedly carried out by President Bashar Assad’s forces. When President Donald Trump retaliated by sending tomahawk missiles into Syria on Thursday night, one Syrian Coloradan reacted by expressing strong support for the decision. Denver-based activist Obeid Kaifo published a long post on Facebook in which he said, “Yes! The United States finally acts on its words and principles! …This is a great first step no doubt, but I hope to God we can remove Assad.”

Meanwhile, Denver’s poet-activist Amal Kassir announced – during a performance at the Kennedy Center – that the number of her family members killed in the chemical attack had risen from nine to 10. “We lost 10 people … all in just one bombing,” she said. “My grandmother hasn’t lost a child in 28 years, and she can’t utter a word.”

Read the story here.

4) George Brauchler announces his run for governor

Staff pick: Peter Marcus, senior statehouse reporter

In a nutshell: George Brauchler announcing his run for governor was the most important story of the week because he’s the first big-name Republican candidate to join the race. Brauchler gave Colorado Politics a one-on-one interview, and we were one of the only outlets to have been granted such ahead of his announcement. Additionally, Colorado Politics was one of the first to report Brauchler’s run.

Read the story here.

5) Colorado politicians weigh in on Syrian chemical attacks, U.S. response

Staff pick: Erin Prater, digital producer

In a nutshell: Colorado Politics brought you the reactions of both everyday Coloradans affected by last week’s chemical attacks in Syria and the subsequent response of the U.S., as well as the thoughts of politicians from both sides of the aisle.

Some, like U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, went so far as to say that “Assad has no place in the future of Syria.”

Others, like U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, seemed to use the U.S. response as a chance to take a jab at former President Barack Obama, stating that President Donald Trump’s actions were unlike that of “the previous administration, which walked away from similar outrages.”

Read the story here.