The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial: VA failed to save a local vet in need
Noah Harter was so exceptional that he survived 300 combat missions as a Marine. Department of Veterans Affairs employees, by contrast, are notoriously substandard. Exhibiting typical VA underachievement, they declined to give Harter the minimal, fundamental care extended to suicidal patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The heart-wrenching details of Harter’s death are spelled out in an expose Sunday by Gazette reporters Stephanie Earls and Tom Roeder, who interviewed relatives and colleagues of the Colorado Springs resident.
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, responding to the story, plans to introduce a measure requiring the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine review veterans’ deaths, related to drug overdoses or suicides, within the past five years. Coffman, R-Aurora, says Harter’s death haunts him.
The Harter tragedy is the latest in a yearslong series of VA horror stories involving institutional corruption, incompetence, fiscal irresponsibility and apathy toward patients.
Why it could take weeks to feel the brunt of a DHS shutdown
David Sivak, Washington Examiner
david.sivak.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 19 minutes ago
The Department of Homeland Security’s broad reach means that everything from disaster relief to airport security could be hampered if funding runs out on Saturday, but it might take weeks before the public feels the impact. The dispute over how...
Colorado justices skeptical of challenge to water enterprises’ eminent domain power
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared receptive on Wednesday to the notion that water-related enterprises have the legal authority to exercise the governmental power of eminent domain over private property. An enterprise is a government-owned business that provides fee-based...
Colorado Democrats seek to legalize prostitution by July
The Denver Gazette
the-denver-gazette@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
A group of Democrats is seeking to legalize prostitution in Colorado, arguing that current penalties “endanger” consenting adults. The proposal, if enacted, would decriminalize prostitution statewide and preempt local ordinances. If signed into law, it will take effect this July,...
‘There will be costs,’ warns Jason Crow after failed indictments for ‘illegal orders’ video | TRAIL MIX
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, the Aurora Democrat who represents Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, signaled this week that he’s considering pursuing legal action against members of the Trump administration after a federal grand jury in Washington declined to indict Crow and...
Colorado policymakers scramble with prisons on track to exceed capacity
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Colorado’s prison system is on track to exceed capacity within the next year, driven by a sharp slowdown in parole releases, staffing shortages and an aging inmate population — all as lawmakers grapple with an $800 million general fund shortfall...
Colorado justices skeptical that intimate messages relevant to assault case
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 20 hours ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court seemed to agree on Tuesday that a Douglas County judge acted reasonably by blocking evidence of a defendant’s BDSM-related conversations with the victim in his trial for assault and false imprisonment. Jurors found Donald Louis...
James Boasberg orders Trump to return over 100 Venezuelans deported under Alien Enemies Act
Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner
emily.hallas.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 23 hours ago
A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump must return more than 100 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act last spring. “The Court will now order the Government to facilitate the return from third countries of...
Senate Democrats weigh skipping Trump State of the Union address
David Sivak, Washington Examiner
david.sivak.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 23 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE — Senate Democrats are grappling with whether to leave their chairs empty later this month when President Donald Trump travels to the Capitol to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term. Senior Democrats have...
Second appeals judge voices concerns about new ‘reasonable doubt’ instruction
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 19 hours ago
Another member of Colorado’s second-highest court registered his concern on Thursday that a portion of the recently revised “reasonable doubt” definition improperly lowers the prosecution’s burden to prove a defendant guilty. Judge Daniel M. Taubman wrote that the current instruction...
Colorado lawmakers target ‘ghost networks’ to expand access to mental health care
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 20 hours ago
A few years ago, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance conducted a “secret shopper” survey on health insurance plans across six states, including Colorado. Of the 120 providers called, one-third were either inaccurately listed in the carrier database, out of...