Boulder to vote on keeping money from sugary-drinks tax
Voters in Boulder will be asked whether they want to allow the city to keep extra money raised by a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
The 2 cent-per-ounce tax approved in 2016 has so far brought in more than $3.2 million for health and nutrition programs for low-income residents and those with chronic diseases and illnesses often linked to sugar consumption.
The Daily Camera reports the city estimated the tax would raise $3.8 million a year, but it now looks like it’ll bring in $5.2 million in the first year.
Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights requires the city to ask voters whether it can keep the extra money. The issue will be on the November ballot.
Supporters say the proceeds fund important programs, but business owners say it’s hurting their bottom line.
Ski patrollers end strike against Telluride
RACHAEL WRIGHT Special to The Gazette
rachael-wright-special-to-the-gazette@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
After 13 days, the longest ski patrol strike in U.S. history has come to an end. On Dec. 27, the 72-member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association voted to go on strike after approaching Telluride Ski Resort (Telski) owner Chuck Horning...
Appeals judge urges restraint in labeling new offenses serious across board
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
A member of the state’s second-highest court urged his colleagues on Thursday to pump the brakes before declaring new offenses “grave or serious” in every possible scenario. The Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment means sentences cannot be...
Federal judge opens new front in effort to increase magistrate judge handling of civil cases
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
One of Colorado’s federal judges rang in the new year with a new effort to spread out the U.S. District Court’s civil caseload among its roster of magistrate judges. “NOTICE ENCOURAGING CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT,” Judge S. Kato Crews has written...
Vance announces new assistant attorney general position to focus on fraud
Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner
christian.datoc.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 8 hours ago
Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that President Donald Trump is creating a new attorney general position to lead government efforts to investigate and prosecute fraud cases. Vance joined White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at an unscheduled briefing Thursday...
House rejects effort to override presidential veto for Colorado Water Project
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a Colorado-led effort to override a Dec. 30 presidential veto of a measure that would have helped finance the Arkansas Valley conduit. The measure, known as H.R. 131 and sponsored by U.S....
As lawmakers return, federal pressure and fiscal stress could shape Colorado’s 2026 session
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
The eight months since lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session have been anything but quiet. Federal funding cuts, a flurry of presidential executive orders, an election year fast approaching, and a projected $1.2 billion budget shortfall are all converging,...
Senate Democrats announce committee assignments for 2026 session
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 12 hours ago
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, announced committee assignments for the 2026 legislative session on Wednesday. “Committees are crucial to the legislative process – they’re where we deliberate, hear from the public, and fine-tune policies so that they can...
Jared Polis calls Minnesota ICE shooting ‘deeply disturbing,’ wants full investigation
Dan Boniface
dan.boniface@denvergazette.com
Updated 11 hours ago
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday characterized a fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minnesota that took the life of a mother from Colorado as “deeply disturbing” and called for a full investigation. The shooting, captured on video in...
Colorado lawmakers hear from chief justice about security needs, new judges
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 day 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...
Douglas County commissioners ponder revisiting ‘home rule’ proposal after last year’s failure
Noah Festenstein
noah.festenstein@denvergazette.com
Updated 5 hours ago
The future of Douglas County chasing “home rule” status may not be in the hands of commissioners, but instead by residents who are considering placing the issue back on the ballot, according to one commissioner. Last March, Douglas County commissioners...
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