Tuesday’s key exchange at the El Paso County commissioners’ meeting
The El Paso County commission on Tuesday voted to fund a contract to print ballots for the upcoming primary and general elections after hours of passionate testimony of opposition. Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez expressed concerns about the contracting process prior to recusing himself from the vote completely and eventually walking out of the meeting. (Courtesy: Office of the District Attorney, Fourth Judicial District of Colorado)
Colorado lawmakers advance bill to tackle Colorado’s prison capacity issues
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 hour ago
As lawmakers move the 2026–27 state budget toward completion, they are intensifying efforts to address overcrowding and capacity challenges within the Department of Corrections and related agencies—issues that have contributed to increased spending in the budget. The state Senate on...
Colorado justices, lawyers speak with rural students through outreach program
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 hour ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared before students from eight rural schools on Thursday to hear a pair of cases, field questions, and mark the first time the state’s newest justice participated in the long-running program. “I had such...
Democrats want Colorado colleges to provide medication abortion
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 36 minutes ago
A bill proposing to require Colorado colleges and universities to provide abortion medication services cleared a legislative committee on Thursday. Advocates said the measure — which exempts religious-based institutions but applies to public, private, and community colleges — will improve...
Colorado lawmakers cut newer programs to close $1.2 billion budget shortfall
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 1 hour ago
With Colorado facing a budget gap exceeding $1.2 billion, lawmakers are preparing to wind down or sharply reduce a slate of recently-created programs — from teacher training to wildfire mitigation — as the Joint Budget Committee searches for savings across...
Trump ‘in discussions’ with IRS to cut deal in tax record lawsuit
Brady Knox, Washington Examiner
brady.knox.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 2 hours ago
President Donald Trump is in talks with the Internal Revenue Service to strike a deal over the release of his tax records. The news was revealed in a legal filing, where his legal team said they were in “discussions” with...
Governor’s wildlife commission picks face pushback ahead of Colorado Senate hearing
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 minutes ago
Colorado’s largest coalition of hunters, anglers, and wildlife conservation groups is urging state lawmakers to reject two of Gov. Jared Polis’ latest nominees to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, setting up a contentious confirmation hearing next week. Gaspar Perricone,...
Colorado justices skeptical of snowboarder’s bid to revive injury lawsuit after signing new waiver
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 21 minutes ago
The Colorado Supreme Court seemed to agree on Thursday that a plaintiff is not entitled to continue his snowboarding injury lawsuit because he purchased another pass in the middle of litigation that released all past legal claims. “It says you’re...
Colorado Supreme Court appears OK with revised ‘reasonable doubt’ instruction
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 5 hours ago
The Colorado Supreme Court appeared largely comfortable on Thursday with the recently revised definition of “reasonable doubt” that is now part of the template jury instructions for criminal cases. To date, multiple Court of Appeals decisions have endorsed the constitutionality...
Senate passes 10-day extension of federal surveillance powers without debate
Hailey Bullis, Washington Examiner
hailey.bullis.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 2 hours ago
The Senate unanimously passed a 10-day extension of the federal government’s power to surveil individuals suspected of being national security threats without debate on Friday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) brought the measure to the floor during a brief...
Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz, but Trump says blockade on Iranian ships and ports will stay in force
Aamer Madhani
aamer.madhani@associatedpress.com
Updated 6 hours ago
BEIRUT (AP) — Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with...