The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Courts will decide monuments action
Among the more troubling aspects of President Donald Trump’s justification for shrinking two national monuments in Utah is his suggestion that federally managed public lands essentially belong to the people in the state.
“No one values the splendor of Utah more than you do,” Trump told an enthusiastic crowd Monday as he announced proclamations dramatically shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, “and no one knows better how to use it.”
Trump repeatedly returned to the theme that he was righting the wrong of federal overreach by wresting control of natural resources in Utah from a few Washington bureaucrats and returning it to the people.
Colorado lawmakers grapple with spending cuts amid $1 billion-plus deficit
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
The battle over Colorado’s budget for next year — which stalled in the House over a procedural maneuver — entered a more difficult phase on Thursday, when legislators grappled with hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed reductions to balance...
New rules for private judges in Colorado include discipline oversight, campaign contributions
David Migoya
david.migoya@gazette.com
Updated 13 hours ago
The Colorado Supreme Court recently determined the state’s private judges — retired jurists appointed to oversee civil cases that rarely get public scrutiny — can now make political contributions freely and without reserve, overruling a prohibition that had been in...
Colorado bill reshaping RTD board advances
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 13 hours ago
A proposal to reshape the Regional Transportation District’s leadership easily cleared a committee vote Wednesday, advancing the bill sponsors say is needed to revive a transit system still struggling to regain riders and public trust. Critics have countered that, while...
Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper pulls in nearly $1.4M in 1st quarter, heads into primary with $4M
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s campaign raised nearly $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2026 and plans to report more than $4 million on hand heading into Colorado’s June primary, the first-term Democrat’s campaign said Thursday. That brings Hickenlooper’s total...
Republican Ron Hanks plans ‘grassroots’ primary challenge to US Rep. Jeff Hurd in Colorado’s 3rd CD
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 14 hours ago
Colorado Republican Ron Hanks, a former state lawmaker, plans to challenge first-term U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd in the 3rd Congressional District primary by seeking a spot on the June ballot at the GOP’s district assembly in Pueblo on Friday, Colorado...
Five ways Mullin is already pushing DHS in a new direction
Anna Giaritelli Washington Examiner
anna-giaritelli-washington-examiner@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 17 hours ago
The Trump administration’s newest Cabinet secretary, Markwayne Mullin, has already begun to implement major changes across the Department of Homeland Security Mullin replaced President Donald Trump’s first DHS secretary, Kristi Noem, and was an unexpected pick to lead the department...
Appeals court finds Prowers County judge incorrectly analyzed firetruck collision lawsuit
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 18 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court directed a Prowers County judge last month to take a second look at whether a firetruck operator and the county itself can be held liable for a collision with a motorist. Donald Williamson was driving through a...
Appeals court reverses assault convictions after jury received no definition of ‘harm’
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 19 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court reversed an Arapahoe County defendant’s assault convictions last week, concluding the trial judge neglected to define a key, ambiguous term for jurors. Police officers arrested David Cristobal Aragon at a house party for allegedly violating a restraining...
Colorado counties cannot challenge state law restricting immigration contracts, appeals court says
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 15 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court ruled on Thursday that counties lack standing to challenge a 2023 state law that restricts their ability to contract with the federal government or private entities for immigration detention. A three-judge Court of Appeals panel agreed with...
Wayne Williams joins city as Colorado Springs Mayor Mobolade’s new chief of staff
Brennen Kauffman
brennen-kauffman@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 16 hours ago
Wayne Williams will be the next chief of staff for Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, turning the two former election opponents into partners in city government. The two officially announced the hire Thursday, citing Williams’ decades of experience with city,...