The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Guv should make us an Opportunity Zone
With public input, Gov. John Hickenlooper is in the process of nominating up to 25 percent of Colorado’s low-income, high-poverty census tracts for inclusion in a new federal program aimed at encouraging private-capital investment in distressed areas.
The recently launched Opportunity Zone program was created as part of the federal tax bill adopted by Congress and signed by President Trump last year. The program drew hardly any attention when the tax reform package was being pushed through Congress, but rural and impoverished communities have since begun to recognize its tantalizing potential.
Colorado House pass bill raising threshold for agriculture overtime by one vote
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
The bill that would raise the overtime threshold for overtime pay for certain agricultural workers won the narrowest of votes Thursday in the Colorado House. Senate Bill 121 won a 33-32 vote, a dramatic difference from votes cast Wednesday on...
Colorado’s $46.8 billion budget nears finish line
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 12 hours ago
The Colorado Senate on Thursday voted largely along party lines to approve $46.8 billion in spending for the next state budget. The spending plan is bigger than what legislators originally approved for the current fiscal year’s budget, driven by increases...
Colorado Senate passes bill for voluntary $5 fee to fund wildlife crossings
Scott Weiser
scott.weiser@gazette.com
Updated 12 hours ago
The Colorado Senate approved bipartisan legislation allowing drivers to voluntarily pay an extra $5 when registering their vehicles to help finance wildlife crossings and reduce the growing number of dangerous collisions between cars and animals on state highways. In 2024...
A proposed Democratic bill would make taking Colorado workers’ IDs a crime
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 13 hours ago
After a narrow 6–5 vote, a bill to bar employers from taking workers’ identification documents is moving to the full Colorado House, sparking questions about how often such intimidation occurs and whether a new state law is necessary. House Bill...
House rejects effort to withdraw US forces from the Iran war as Republicans stick with Trump
Kevin Freking
kevin.freking@associatedpress.com
Updated 17 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans...
9 Colorado hospitals at risk of closing due to Medicaid cuts
Nico Brambila
nico.brambila@denvergazette.com
Updated 18 hours ago
The $900 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade could threaten the viability of more than 400 hospitals nationally and at least nine in Colorado, a new report has found. The hospitals span the Front Range and rural communities,...
Democrats vow to block next Trump Supreme Court pick amid Alito speculation
Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner
ramsey.touchberry.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 18 hours ago
Justice Samuel Alito hasn’t tipped his hat on retiring just yet, but Senate Democrats are already entrenched in opposing the confirmation of a successor that would deliver President Donald Trump his fourth lifetime appointment to the high court. Democrats need...
Lakewood mayor calls for unity, community in State of the City speech
Sage Kelley
sage.kelley@denvergazette.com
Updated 19 hours ago
Lakewood held its first State of the City address since 2018 on Wednesday — timing Mayor Wendi Strom attributed to fate. “We got bumped a few times on dates,” Strom said to a room of nearly 100 residents and officials....
Colorado Senate reworks key programs, gives preliminary nod to $46B budget
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 19 hours ago
With the Senate’s traditional Budget Day barbecue setting a lighter tone, lawmakers worked through the $46.8 billion state budget Wednesday, navigating a long list of amendments but avoiding the partisan clashes that defined the House debate last week. The Senate...
Colorado budget plan seeks to keep $306 million by canceling TABOR refunds
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 19 hours ago
Tucked deep within the hundreds of pages of the proposed $46.8 billion 2026–27 state budget is a line item showing $306.1 million in savings — achieved by canceling Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights refunds. Gov. Jared Polis has recommended withholding TABOR...