BEST OF THE WEEK | Hot election energy battle, Gary Hart mystery, one last guv debate
Here’s our recap of some of our best stories of the week from the Colorado Politics staff.
> COVER STORY | Energy debate heats up the Colorado election
> TRAIL MIX | Was Gary Hart’s downfall orchestrated? It might not matter
> Q&A with Vera Ortegon | ‘… a strong work ethic and an unshakable religious belief’
> INSIGHTS | The 2020 race could test Colo. senators’ teamwork
> Polis, Stapleton face off one last time in Colorado governor’s race
> Coffman, Crow spar over immigration, Trump in 6th CD debate
> John Elway goes deep with political contributions
> Colorado ethics panel to investigate Hickenlooper’s travel
> Hickenlooper sounds doubtful about Denver winning Amazon HQ2
> Has Amazon moved on from Denver for HQ2?
> Bernie Sanders stumps in Colorado for Polis, Democrats
> Bernie Sanders follows rallies with Denver fundraiser for state House candidates
> In a legislative race where guns are key issue, police union endorses the Democrat
> Election Preview 2018 | Issues that soar above others with Colorado voters
> Amendment 74 supporters falsely claim Gazette support in mailer
> CU poll shows Polis, school tax, takings measure leading
> Website that alleges purge of Colo. voters is wrong, says secretary of state
> 9NEWS TRUTH TEST | Coffman and Crow in the 6th Congressional District debate
> A Colorado town looks to election to break gridlock, bickering
> Colorado city council member agrees to unblock fracking foes on Facebook
> Interior Secretary Zinke signs science deal with Colorado School of Mines
> 4-day school week is rooted in culture for many Colorado plains districts
> Schwarzenegger, Hickenlooper partner tout redistricting measures at Denver rally
> Wave goodbye to the blue wave? GOP starting to think they could hold the U.S. House
> Could the bombs that targeted Democrats win them the midterm elections?
> ENDORSEMENT WATCH | Actress Jennifer Lawrence backs ballot measures
> Hickenlooper celebrates economic impact of outdoor recreation
> Colorado ballot returns near the half-million mark
> Polis among 1,400 U.S. candidates running on phaseout of fossil fuels for power
> Republicans learn to love wind and solar jobs after once mocking them
Pueblo board violates Open Meetings Law | Dennis Maes
Dennis Maes
dennis-maes@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 11 hours ago
By Dennis Maes I recently witnessed two serious violations of the Colorado Open Meetings Law by the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority (PURA) board. Both were brought to the attention of the board in an open meeting and entered on the...
Legislation would undermine educational opportunity | OPINION
Colorado Politics
colorado-politics@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 11 hours ago
By Norton Rainey and Weston Kurz New legislation under consideration by Colorado lawmakers could have far-reaching consequences for Colorado students and families looking for new educational options. HB26-1292, currently under consideration by the Colorado General Assembly, would severely limit the...
Medicaid cuts for critical care hurts providers, reduces access to the best care for patients | OPINION
Colorado Politics
colorado-politics@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 11 hours ago
By Gurdev Rai This year, the legislative session started with one thing on everyone’s minds: the state budget, and the major hole created by Congress’ HR 1 law. Costs, including for health care, have ballooned across the board, and we...
U.S. House probes reports of fraud, waste in Colorado’s Medicaid program
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 11 hours ago
A congressional committee is probing reports of waste, fraud and abuse in Colorado’s Medicaid program, citing recent stories outlining over-billing in transportation spending and alleged improper payments in autism services. The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce has sent...
Colorado’s congressional redistricting proposal could flip three Republican House seats | ANALYSIS
Michael Braithwaite
michael.braithwaite@gazette.com
Updated 14 hours ago
A Democrat-backed proposal to redraw Colorado’s congressional map for the 2028 election could flip three Republican districts. The proposal, introduced by a group called Coloradans for a Level Playing Field, is yet another development in a national redistricting debate after...
Appeals court overturns Douglas County vehicular homicide conviction due to faulty jury instructions
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 19 hours ago
Colorado’s second-highest court overturned a defendant’s vehicular homicide conviction and 12-year prison sentence on Thursday after determining a Douglas County judge omitted key language from the jury instructions that could have resulted in a different outcome. James Paul McDonald was...
Colorado lawmakers’ speeches on immigration, Iran draw worries about decorum, grandstanding
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 18 hours ago
Several speeches from Colorado legislators this week have raised new worries about decorum and grandstanding in the state House after two members talked about immigration and Iran using what’s called a “point of personal privilege.” Under the rules of the...
Trump fires Homeland Security Secretary Noem after building criticism over immigration enforcement
Michelle L. Price
michelle.l..price@associatedpress.com
Updated 20 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and said he will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Trump made the announcement on social media on Thursday, two days...
A grand celebration of Denver’s ‘First Lady of Opera’ and the venue named for her | NONPROFIT REGISTER
Joanne Davidson Special to Colorado Politics
joanne-davidson-special-to-colorado-politics@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 20 hours ago
OPERA COLORADO Denver News: For some, it may seem like only yesterday, but the reality is that 20 years have passed since the Ellie Caulkins Opera House opened in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. To celebrate that milestone anniversary, Opera Colorado dedicated its 2026 Grand...
50th Wells Fargo Ski Cup brings a six-figure income for the NSCD | NONPROFIT REGISTER
Joanne Davidson Special to Colorado Politics
joanne-davidson-special-to-colorado-politics@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 20 hours ago
NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER FOR THE DISABLED Winter Park News: The 50th annual Wells Fargo Ski Cup, held Feb. 19-21 at Winter Park Resort, has raised $932,500 for the National Sports Center for the Disabled. “This milestone year was especially meaningful as we...