EDITORIAL: Mayor, what’s in a name?
Strong mayor or weak mayor, what really matters is a manifest shortage of leadership in the city of Pueblo’s municipal government.
Call it anything you want, it still comes down to leadership. In the final analysis, a popularly elected mayor will be only as effective as the person bestowed the title. In a perfect world, the city of Pueblo needs a person – or persons – of the strength and vision to be true leaders.
In a special City Charter election on April 6, 1954, Puebloans voted 8,632-to-7,093, or nearly 60 percent, to adopt a council-manager form of government. We still operate under this elected City Council, council-appointed city manager setup going on 63 years now.
Appeals court reinstates Garfield County arson charge
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court reinstated a Garfield County defendant’s arson charge on Thursday, concluding a trial judge improperly credited a witness’s claim that she alone was responsible for starting the fire. A sheriff’s deputy responded to a brush fire near Parachute...
Democratic US Sen. John Hickenlooper qualifies for Colorado primary by petition, will skip assembly
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper has qualified for Colorado’s Democratic primary after the first-term incumbent submitted enough valid petition signatures to make the ballot, state officials said. Hickenlooper is facing primary challenges from state Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and university professor...
Federal judges rebuke ex-Colorado judicial discipline director for conduct in lawsuit
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
A pair of federal judges expressed a desire on Thursday to break the logjam on a lawsuit by Colorado’s former judicial discipline director against the state Supreme Court and related entities, while simultaneously showing little tolerance for the plaintiff’s scorched-earth...
Democratic bill would let recipients of ‘conversion therapy’ sue Colorado providers with no statute of limitations
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Colorado lawmakers have advanced a proposal that would allow people who underwent conversion therapy to sue licensed providers for damages, moving the measure forward on a party-line vote in the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 1322, proposed by Democratic Reps....
Pinnacol separation bill delayed as Colorado budget remains in flux due to $1.5B deficit
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
A bill that would allow Pinnacol Assurance to formally sever its remaining ties with the state appears unlikely to emerge anytime soon, as House leaders juggle a massive budget shortfall, unresolved negotiations with key stakeholders, and growing doubts about whether...
100 days until America250: Five host cities unveiled for July 4 celebrations
Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner
emily.hallas.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 10 hours ago
America250, the entity tasked by Congress with marking the United States’ semiquincentennial, on Thursday revealed further details about its sweeping plans to celebrate the milestone. America250 chairwoman Rosie Rios launched the official 100-day countdown to July 4, and said the...
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet qualifies by petition for Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet on Tuesday became the first gubernatorial candidate to qualify for Colorado’s June primary ballot after state election officials determined the three-term Democrat’s campaign submitted enough valid petition signatures. Bennet is running against Attorney General Phil Weiser...
Thornton police investigating homicide
Matt Kyle
matt.kyle@denvergazette.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Police in Thornton are investigating a homicide that happened late Wednesday night. Thornton Police Department officers responded just before 11 p.m. near the intersection of East 88th Avenue and Grant Street after a 911 caller reported someone bleeding. Upon arrival,...
Colorado legislators consider $500 million in general fund cuts amid $1.5 billion deficit
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
The legislature’s Joint Budget Committee is working through a list Wednesday of about 150 suggestions to cut as much as $1.5 billion in general fund dollars out of next year’s budget. The largest on the list prepared by JBC staff...
Gov. Jared Polis signs housing bills amid push for ‘affordability’
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Gov. Jared Polis held the first public bill signing of the 2026 legislative session on Wednesday on a pair of housing measures that, sponsors said, are aimed at affordability. Part of Democrats’ “affordable” housing package this year, the bills —...