BLM asking for public comment on proposed mine expansion in Western Colorado
DURANGO – The public now can comment on an environmental analysis that looks to evaluate the potential impacts of expanding operations of a Colorado coal mine.
The Durango Herald reports GCC Energy, which has operated the King II coal mine near Hesperus since 2007, asked the Bureau of Land Management in 2018 for a lease to expand the mine by 3.85 square miles.
The company has said if expansions were not approved, the mine would run out of coal and be forced to shut down, laying off 100 employees and cutting local tax revenue.
Before approving the proposed expansion for at least another 20 years, the Bureau of Land Management must first conduct an analysis to look at the potential impacts it would have on the environment.
Comments regarding the expansion will be accepted until March 11.
Colorado justices lay down framework for analyzing defamation lawsuits involving ‘public interest’ issues
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 minutes ago
The Colorado Supreme Court clarified on Monday how judges should evaluate whether lawsuits arising from a person’s speech — in particular, online consumer reviews — are connected to an “issue of public interest” and merit protection from legal liability. As...
Federal judge rejects DPS’ attempt to obtain 9News sourcing documents in First Amendment case
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 54 minutes ago
A federal judge rejected Denver Public Schools’ attempt on Monday to obtain documents from 9News related to its interview with a former principal who alleges his termination amounted to a constitutional violation. At the same time, the attorney for plaintiff...
Audit finds major gaps in Colorado’s oil and gas reporting, enforcement
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
The agencies responsible for regulating Colorado’s oil and gas industry are underperforming when it comes to reporting and enforcement, according to a recent performance audit by the Office of the State Auditor. The OSA audit reviewed 2023 data on oil...
Colorado Gives Foundation turns 50 during giving season
Kyla Pearce
kyla.pearce@gazette.com
Updated 5 hours ago
Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday. The Colorado Gives Foundation, which started as a small hospital fundraising group and has grown into a statewide nonprofit, is celebrating its 50th anniversary shortly after Giving Tuesday. Colorado Gives Day, which was created by...
Colorado Democrat Julie Gonzales launches US Senate primary challenge to incumbent John Hickenlooper
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
Declaring that Colorado “needs a fighter, not a bystander,” state Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, on Monday launched her long-anticipated primary challenge to U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper. Pitching her campaign as a departure from “old-playbook politics,” Gonzales said she’s...
Democrat Shannon Bird to step down from Colorado legislature to campaign full-time for Congress
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
State Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat, said Sunday that she plans to resign from the Colorado legislature next month in order to focus on running for the 8th Congressional District seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans. Bird...
Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species | OUT WEST ROUNDUP
The Associated Press
the-associated-press@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 days ago
MONTANA Endangered species rollback sought BILLINGS — President Donald Trump’s administration moved on Nov. 19 to roll back protections for imperiled species and the places they live, reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations from the Republican’s...
Clash of the titans: Democratic race for governor pits two candidates similar in focus, but very different in style | Vince Bzdek
Vince Bzdek
vince.bzdek@gazette.com
Updated 1 day ago
By Vince Bzdek The race for governor is shaping up to be a clash of Democratic titans, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser. They are two of Colorado’s highest profile politicians with deep track records who...
Calendar Dec. 8-14
Rachael Wright
rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 days ago
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances,...
GOP chair candidates circle Benson, statehouse candidate alleges SOS voter fraud | A LOOK BACK
Rachael Wright
rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 days ago
Thirty-Five Years Ago This Week: Although Colorado Republican Party Chairman Bruce Benson had told one of his predecessors that he hadn’t yet made up his mind as to whether he’d run for a third term, party insiders had already begun...
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