While looking back on the stories of the week, there seemed to be a certain theme:

Colorado was just the apple of many of the presidential candidates’ eyes. Bernie Sanders on Sunday. Joe Biden on Monday. Amy Klobuchar and Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday, almost like they were offering counterprogramming to President Trump‘s massive rally in the Springs.

The team at Colorado Politics, however, was busy on so many other levels. Read on:     

MVP! MVP!

Before we get too far away from elections, it’s important to note that reporter Ernest Luning is. Crushing. It. He’s covering rallies. He’s fielding calls from lawmakers. He’s got major Twitter game. 

And he’s my go-to guy whenever I want answers about elections. Check out the non-presidential stories he did this week:

> National Republican group upgrades Crow challenger Steve House to ‘contender’ status

> Pipefitters union throws support behind Hickenlooper in Colorado’s US Senate race

> Democratic US Senate candidate John Hickenlooper first to submit nominating petitions

There’s a reason why his phone never stops ringing. 

HOT-BUTTON ISSUES

At the Capitol, Marianne Goodland worked to keep up with some contentious topics this week: 

> State House sends renaming of Columbus Day to Senate

> Death penalty repeal clears first House committee

> Year-round Daylight Saving Time bill goes dark

> House Committee turns down bill to allow workers to use marijuana off-hours without fear of firing

> The most contentious was the hearing for the vaccinations exemptions bill, which freelancer Carol McKinley covered for us – all 15 1/2 hours of it.

MEANWHILE, IN DENVER …

> Denver, DPS to distribute $200K in microgrants to help end youth violence

> Groundbreaking announced for CSU Denver campus

> Denver council gives 1-year extension to private prison contract, awards new DIA contract

FOLLOWUPS

Michael Karlik is the king of staying on top of stories that continue to develop. The biggest examples of that this past week:

> Title Board advances proposals related to local gambling, paid leave, petitions

> Oil and gas initiatives survive Title Board challenge

> Compensation program receives 87 claims from victims claiming past clergy abuse

TO YOUR HEALTH

For those who know Joey Bunch‘s back story, you know that health care is a subject that is of particular interest to him. A number of articles he wrote this week exemplify that: 

> House, Senate Democrats try to remedy high drug prices

> Groups supporting public option pen a letter to Colorado lawmakers

> Statewide coalition asks lawmakers to slow roll on private option

BLEEP. 

Finally, welcome a new member to our team: CoPot Bot. 

The autonomous CoPo Bot will supply followers with information on political advertising purchases in the Denver area, which TV stations are required to file to the FCC.

You can follow our bipartisan bot on Twitter under the username @CoPo_Bot.

So, there you go. Less than 2 weeks to go. Have a Super weekend!