#RETWEET: Who had the best tweets in Colorado politics this week?
Colorado lawmakers pass ballot measure asking voters to trade TABOR refunds to increase school spending
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
A Democratic‑backed proposal to raise Colorado’s TABOR cap and direct more money to K‑12 schools is headed to the ballot, setting up a major debate over taxpayer refunds and long‑term education funding. If voters approve it, the average Coloradan would...
10th Circuit analyzes sentencing process for probation violators in rare all-judges’ hearing
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
All 12 full-time judges on the Denver-based federal appeals court gathered for a rare oral argument on Monday to consider whether one of the court’s precedent-setting opinions created a process for sentencing probation violators that is out of step with...
Colorado legislators abandon proposal targeting natural gas initiative
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Colorado lawmakers pulled back plans to counter a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of consumers to use natural gas. The bill’s backers said the legislation would not have significantly affected the initiative’s impact, even as debate intensifies among environmental...
Colorado justices skeptical of defendant’s challenge to flawed jury instruction
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared willing to uphold a defendant’s vehicular eluding conviction on Tuesday, suggesting that an incorrectly worded jury instruction was not an obvious and harmful error in light of the defense’s choice not to dispute...
Colorado lawmakers say Lottery overreached, pass bill to require cash-only purchases
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Calling the move by the state’s gaming authority “illegal,” Colorado legislators passed a bill prohibiting the use of credit cards to purchase lottery tickets. In November, the Colorado Lottery commission passed a rule allowing the purchase of lottery products with...
Colorado Politics’ 8th CD primary debate canceled after Democrat Shannon Bird withdraws
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Organizers on Tuesday canceled next week’s Democratic primary debate in Colorado’s toss-up 8th Congressional District after former state Rep. Shannon Bird withdrew, leaving just one candidate planning to take the stage. Three Democrats are seeking the nomination in the state’s...
Colorado bill on lobbyist registration awaits final decision from the governor
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
A bipartisan bill requiring more disclosure from legislative liaisons and state agency lobbyists is in limbo, despite broad support in both the Colorado House and Senate as Gov. Jared Polis is reportedly considering a veto. Senate Bill 147, sponsored by...
Colorado eyes expansion of state inspection authority over immigration detention centers
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
A proposal to add new inspection requirements for detention centers and increases the civil liability for sharing information with federal immigration authorities passed both chambers of the Colorado Legislature. The proposal is now headed to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk. House...
Thune blesses push to block senator pay during government shutdowns
David Sivak, Washington Examiner
david.sivak.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) put his stamp of approval on legislation Tuesday that would block senators from receiving paychecks during a government shutdown. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has pressed leadership to call a vote on the legislation during...
Superintendent Michael Gaal on why schools work better without union contracts | The OpEdge Podcast
Tony Olivero
tony.olivero@gazette.com
Updated 7 hours ago
In the latest episode of The OpEdge — The Gazette’s new opinion podcast — Colorado Springs District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal reveals why teachers’ union contracts hold schools back. Gaal tells OpEdge host and investigative columnist Jimmy Sengenberger how ending D-11’s...