CoPo Best of the Week: #MeToo wave, politics on stage and more
Good morning. Here’s our recap of some of our best stories of the week from the Colorado Politics staff.
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> Colo. Supreme Court will review ballot challenge to Lamborn
> Will a #MeToo wave help elect a woman as Colorado governor?
> Politics on stage: New play asks audiences not to look away from veterans in trouble
> Kennedy wins top line, Polis will join Dems’ gubernatorial primary ballot
> Stapleton, Lopez win spots in GOP gov primary
> ANALYSIS: Road to Colorado’s June primaries now has a map
> How bad does Denver want Amazon HQ2? Not so bad, survey says
> General Assembly adding bills more than subtracting in waning weeks
> Madeleine Albright warns of fascism in Denver book-tour stop
> Colorado teachers rally for more money for schools, less for corporations
> Civil rights bill is heavily amended in Colo. Senate committee
> Colo. politicians remember Barbara Bush for her fierce love of family, country
> Legislature could help Colorado redistricting overhaul get on the ballot
> Colorado heroin consortium to focus on dealers, not users
> Senate bill seeks to stop Hickenlooper from following Paris climate accord
> Bill would grant benefits to families of fallen local officers
> Coming to a freeway near you, maybe: Barack Obama Highway
> Rep. Mike Coffman leads ‘queen of the hill’ maneuver to get DACA debate on the floor
> School Finance Act clears first Colo. House hurdle
> Colorado House debates net neutrality versus benefits of competition
Colorado lawmakers hear from chief justice about security needs, new judges
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 7 hours ago
Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez asked members of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee on Tuesday to stay the course and fund the 10 new trial judgeships that Colorado lawmakers approved last year, and also explained her vision for enhancing judicial...
Lawmakers, advocates seek reforms after cases expose gaps in Colorado’s competency system
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
After a series of high-profile crimes throughout the state last spring and summer exposed gaps in Colorado’s legal system for individuals declared incompetent to stand trial, lawmakers and an advocacy organization are pushing for reforms in 2026. Extensive media coverage...
Colorado encourages parents to ignore federal vaccine guideline changes
Claire Carter, Washington Examiner
claire.carter.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 11 hours ago
Colorado became the latest state to criticize the newly released federal guidance for childhood vaccines on Tuesday. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released a statement rejecting the CDC’s new vaccine schedule and said Colorado’s approach “remains grounded...
‘Beware!’ 10th Circuit judge calls for full-court review of precedent on police searches without arrest
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 11 hours ago
The Colorado-based federal appeals court green-lit an unreasonable search claim against a Denver police officer on Tuesday, while one judge called for full-court reconsideration of a 44-year-old precedent limiting law enforcement’s ability to search suspects even when probable cause exists...
Urban vs. rural, labor vs. business: Battles are brewing ahead of the 2026 Colorado legislative session
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
Grab your popcorn, it’s going to be an interesting 2026 legislative session in Colorado. There’s not much you can count on these days, but if you’ve been around the Capitol long enough, you’ve probably seen your fair share of disagreements,...
Denmark and Greenland seek talks with Rubio over US interest in taking the island
Seung Min Kim
seung.min.kim@associatedpress.com
Updated 15 hours ago
Denmark and Greenland are seeking a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the Trump administration doubled down on its intention to take over the strategic Arctic island, a Danish territory. President Donald Trump has argued that the...
Former Colorado wildlife director heads to Wyoming
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
Jeff Davis, the former director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife who oversaw the introduction of wolves in Colorado, is headed to Wyoming, where he will take on a new job as deputy director for that state’s game and fish agency....
Former Rep. Rose Pugliese vies for Mesa County Treasurer
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 16 hours ago
Former Republican Leader Rose Pugliese has jumped into the 2026 primary for Mesa County Treasurer. Pugliese moved to Grand Junction after resigning from the Colorado House in September, citing a “collapse of integrity” within the Colorado House. She previously served...
Primary challenges surge as Colorado lawmakers head into 2026 election cycle
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 8 hours ago
As the 2026 election cycle begins, an unusually large number of Colorado lawmakers — many appointed through the vacancy process — are facing primary challenges that reflect deepening divisions within both major parties. And it isn’t only open seats that...
Appeals court orders new child abuse trial due to improper evidence of prior mistreatment
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day ago
Colorado’s second-highest court overturned a Montezuma County defendant’s child abuse conviction last month, concluding evidence of prior mistreatment was too dissimilar to the alleged conduct that formed the basis of the criminal charges. Garland Kay Malcolm received a 32-year prison...
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Colorado Springs-area schools taking a day to plan, reflect on 4/20
Friday, a time to remember victims of the 1999 Columbine shooting, but also a celebration for pot smokers, is a day like any other at some Pikes Peak region schools. Other schools are purposely closed this year, and some coincidentally aren’t holding classes. The five schools in Woodland Park School District RE-2 won’t be in […]
INSIGHTS: CU’s investment strategy could cost political capital
Chancellor Phil DiStefano thinks he knows what’s best for the University of Colorado Boulder, and that it’s best if he oversees a purse worth about $21 million each year instead of CU Boulder’s student government leaders. “I want to inform you of a financial oversight decision I have made that is in the best long-term […]