Three finalists picked for Colorado court vacancy
COLORADO SPRINGS – One of three attorneys will be selected this month to fill a vacancy on the El Paso County Court bench.
Samorreyan Burney, Samuel Evig and Steven Jon Paul, all of Colorado Springs, are vying to succeed Christopher Acker, who failed to win retention in November.
The finalists were selected Dec. 18 by the 4th Judicial District nominating commission.
Gov. John Hickenlooper will appoint the successful candidate, in a decision expected by the end of December. Comments regarding the nominees may be sent via e-mail to the governor at gov_judicialappointments@state.co.us.
El Paso County judge graded ‘F’ for bias and rudeness; panel recommends ouster
Burney is an El Paso County prosecutor. Evig is a private criminal defense attorney in Colorado Springs and Paul works for an Englewood firm, practicing in insurance defense, business and commercial law and other areas.
Acker, a 15-year veteran judge, lost his retention bid by a 6-point margin, making him one of two judges in Colorado who were turned away by voters after receiving poor assessments from a judicial performance board.
The winning candidate will assume the bench on Jan. 8.
Colorado Senate reworks key programs, gives preliminary nod to $46B budget
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 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 $306M by canceling TABOR refunds
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 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 TABOR refunds. Gov. Jared Polis has recommended withholding TABOR refunds in both...
Colorado Supreme Court concerned about police overreach in interrogations
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 7 hours ago
Some members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared hesitant on Tuesday to endorse the ability of police to interrogate a suspect after they have obtained a court order authorizing only the collection of physical evidence. Under Colorado’s criminal rules, law...
Colorado House committee advances Democratic bill to reduce penalties for ‘extreme indifference’ murder
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Lawmakers on the Colorado House Judiciary Committee narrowly passed a bill proposing changes to the state’s sentencing guidelines for murders facilitated with “extreme indifference to the value of human life.” Colorado is one of several states with this type of...
Boebert working on bill to strip Swalwell of $22,000 annual taxpayer-funded pension
Haris Alic and Lauren Green, Washington Examiner
haris.alic.and.lauren.green.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 8 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE — Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is working on legislation to strip disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell of his $22,000 annual taxpayer-funded congressional pension. Swalwell resigned from the House on Tuesday after allegations of sexual assault by multiple women, including...
Trump AI framework puts ball in Congress’s court. Time to act is running out
Liz O'Bagy, Washington Examiner
liz.o'bagy.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 8 hours ago
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future policy debate. It is already compressing years of drug discovery into months, helping doctors detect cancer earlier through advanced diagnostic imaging, improving aviation and traffic systems that make travel safer, and giving small...
Colorado Supreme Court considers new requirement for leaving-the-scene convictions
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 8 hours ago
In 2006, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury is a “strict liability” offense, meaning a person is guilty solely through their conduct, without the need for prosecutors to prove the...
Democratic lawmakers seek fix to Colorado’s stalled prison population plan
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
Colorado’s prison population plan was designed to prevent overcrowding. Instead, eight months after it was triggered, the system remains strained and largely ineffective, prompting two Democratic lawmakers to push for changes through new legislation. According to its sponsors, Senate Bill...
After internal strategy sessions, Colorado Senate to take up $46B budget debate
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
Tax Day carries added weight at the state Capitol this year, as the Senate prepares to take up the 2026‑27 budget on Wednesday following a day of preparations by both Republican and Democratic caucuses. Senators are expected to raise some...
Douglas County approves AI system for sheriff’s investigations
Nicholas Fogleman
nicholas.fogleman@denvergazette.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Douglas County commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of an artificial intelligence system to assist the Sheriff’s Office with investigative analysis. The system is designed to help investigators process large volumes of data more efficiently and turn it into usable investigative...
PREV
PREVIOUS
Hickenlooper's lobbyist headed off to the energy industry
Outgoing Gov. John Hickenlooper’s lobbyist is headed off to what’s become a familiar landing spot for his legislative staff: the energy industry. The term-limited governor’s office Monday announced that Christina Rosendahl, who has been the governor’s legislative liaison since May, will take a job as manager of state affairs for Black Hills Energy after Jan. […]
Pentagon says U.S. military is losing its advantage with artificial intelligence
WASHINGTON – The U.S. military is starting to lose a high-tech advantage as China and Russia develop sophisticated artificial intelligence, Pentagon officials are warning Congress. A recent subcommittee hearing on the issue held special significance for Colorado Springs defense subcontractor Polaris Alpha, which last May won a $2.3 million Defense Department contract to develop artificial intelligence […]