EDITORIAL: If Hick, Tancredo are actually up and running, give the credit to Trump
As if to prove that desperate times do, in fact, call for desperate measures, I bring you the latest in desperate-sounding Colorado political news in the time of Donald Trump.
First, in the shocking-if-it-were-actually-true news, Axios’ Mike Allen is reporting that John Hickenlooper is considering possibly running with John Kasich on a presidential unity ticket in 2020. As you know, the two moderate governors – OK, “moderate” may be a stretch for Kasich, particularly on women’s reproductive rights – have been on tour together and are set to announce a detailed bipartisan health-care fix that could have the support of as many as 11 governors.
If they were to actually pull this off, and their health-care alternative were to gain some traction with (in descending order of likelihood) the media, the public, the Congress, the president, it could actually put them in that sweet third-way spot that could lead to them talking about moving next from health care to immigration and jobs.
Republican candidates debate how to win the governor’s seat in Colorado — a position the GOP last secured in 2002
Thelma Grimes
thelma.grimes@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 8 hours ago
Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since 2002. On Thursday night, four candidates offered competing visions for how the party can reverse its 20-plus years of failing to secure the seat. The discussion hosted by the Women of Weld...
Colorado’s charitable gaming board to study Denver Gazette’s findings
David Migoya
david.migoya@gazette.com
Updated 9 hours ago
Colorado’s freshman board overseeing the state’s $110 million charitable gaming industry on Friday created a committee to tackle issues raised in a Denver Gazette investigation that exposed, among other issues, poor supervision and illegal operators. The Colorado Charitable Gaming Board,...
10th Circuit to address resentencing of probation violators in rare all-judges hearing
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 13 hours ago
The Denver-based federal appeals court agreed on Thursday to hold a rare all-judges hearing to determine the proper procedure for resentencing a criminal defendant who has violated the terms of his probation. In the federal appellate courts, the vast majority...
Vape shops challenge Denver’s flavored tobacco ban in court
Deborah Grigsby
deborah.smith@denvergazette.com
Updated 10 hours ago
The smoke has yet to settle in the battle over the city’s flavored tobacco ban as local vape shop owners have sued the City and County of Denver, asking the court to declare the ordinance unconstitutional and stop its enforcement....
US officially leaves the World Health Organization
Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner
washington.examiner.staff.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 15 hours ago
The United States officially withdrew from the World Health Organization on Thursday, slightly over a year after President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO via an executive order on the first day of his...
Report: Colorado government has grown beyond TABOR’s limits
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 7 hours ago
Colorado’s government has grown substantially over the past three decades beyond the limits that voters approved to restrain that expansion, according to a new report from a think tank. The analysis from the Independence Institute, which examines state spending, revenue...
Appeals court overturns Adams County sex offense convictions due to prosecutor’s misconduct
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 17 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court reversed multiple child sex assault convictions on Thursday after concluding an Adams County prosecutor committed misconduct while cross-examining the defendant. A three-judge Court of Appeals panel observed the charges against Daniel Michael Boerner depended on the jury...
ACA enrollment in Colorado sees slight dip amid rising costs
Nico Brambila
nico.brambila@denvergazette.com
Updated 9 hours ago
Despite handwringing over enhanced federal subsidies going away for many Coloradans enrolled in health insurance on the state’s marketplace, officials reported Friday just a 2% enrollment dip. More than 277,000 Coloradans enrolled in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act...
Rep. Ron Weinberg won’t seek reelection
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg of Loveland announced on Thursday evening that he will not seek another term in the Colorado House. “Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” the two-term state representative said on...
Colorado title board OKs ballot measures to eliminate flat income tax in favor of graduated brackets
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 8 hours ago
Proponents hoping to change Colorado’s income tax structure from a flat rate to graduated tiers — thereby raising taxes for some brackets — walked away from a Wednesday meeting with eight ballot measures approved by the title board. The coalition...