Today is Nov. 22, 2023, and here’s what you need to know:

We asked a cornucopia of the state’s elected officials, candidates and politicos to share what they’re thankful for as Coloradans prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving. Here’s a sample:

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.: “I’m grateful especially for my family, of course, and all of Team Hick who work so hard for Colorado and this country. I’m grateful to represent a state where the majesty of our landscapes is exceeded by the grit and passion of our people, who have come from everywhere to create their lives here.”

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver: “This year, it is hard to craft a Thanksgiving message. There is so much tragedy in the world – instability, war, and inhumanity. In Washington, chaos has reigned. But when I take the time to reflect, there are blessings all around. I am grateful for my family and friends who hold me in their love and for my new canine companion Fiona who brings sunshine to my world every day.”

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Rifle: “During this Thanksgiving season, we have an opportunity to reset and refocus. We can position ourselves in a place of grace simply by having an attitude of gratitude and joy. For me, joy is not just a suggestion, joy is our battle plan! The joy of the Lord is our strength: every good and perfect gift comes from above, and our faith is made effective by acknowledging this. I am grateful for the never-ending love of God, my family, and the people of Colorado who inspire me every single day. May you and your loved ones have a blessed Thanksgiving!”

Jewish Democratic leaders on Tuesday called for an end to the “divisive rhetoric” within their party over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The rhetoric reached its peak over the past several days during the special session of the Colorado General Assembly, when Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the House proceedings. That disruption delayed the end of the special session on Monday, including when Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, joined protesters in the House gallery in shouting at lawmakers on the House floor. At one point, Epps and the protesters called Democrats “fascists.”

The statement from more than 150 Jewish Democrats said they are “deeply concerned about the harmful and divisive narrative that has surfaced within our party” since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

The Jewish Democrats did not mention Epps by name.

“Recent statements from individual members and caucuses within the Colorado Democratic Party are undermining our shared values and perpetuating the very marginalization and ‘othering’ we as a party work so hard to combat,” they said in the statement.

In the hours and days after a Denver judge found Donald Trump remains eligible for the 2024 presidential ballot despite engaging in an insurrection, her reasoning has come under scrutiny from legal scholars and the parties on both sides of the litigation, who are now seeking review of the decision.

On Friday, in response to a petition from four Republican and two unaffiliated voters in Colorado, District Court Judge Sarah B. Wallace went further than any judge to date in analyzing Trump’s eligibility for office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Section 3 bars state officials, members of Congress or “an officer of the United Sates” from occupying state or federal office if they took an oath to the U.S. Constitution but subsequently “engaged in insurrection.”

Wallace found all conditions for ordering Trump’s disqualification were satisfied, except for one: Section 3 does not apply to presidents.

“I was surprised by the basis for the ruling because I regard the claim that the president is not an officer to be perhaps the weakest objection,” said Michael C. Dorf, a constitutional law professor at Cornell University. “I would not be surprised to see that conclusion reversed on appeal.”

The federal appeals court based in Denver has rejected ex-Adams County Sheriff Richard A. Reigenborn’s attempt to end a retaliation lawsuit brought by four subordinates Reigenborn fired – including the man who defeated him last year.

Upon taking office after the 2018 election, Reigenborn pushed out multiple high-ranking personnel who had been supporters of Reigenborn’s opponent. Timothy James Coates, Gene Claps, Mark Mitchell and Kevin Currier all retired in lieu of being fired, then filed a lawsuit alleging Reigenborn retaliated against them for exercising their First Amendment right to support their preferred candidate for sheriff.

A judge allowed the claim to proceed to trial, prompting Reigenborn to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. In doing so, Reigenborn sought to take advantage of an ambiguity in how sheriffs’ offices are treated legally.

The plaintiffs sued Reigenborn in his individual capacity – meaning a claim against him personally – and his official capacity. A claim against a government employee in their official capacity is effectively one against the government itself. Although individual defendants can be shielded from liability by qualified immunity, that shield is not available to governments for their own role in a constitutional violation.

The House speaker battle and weeks of GOP infighting are coming back to haunt House Republicans who relied on Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California for significant fundraising and campaign boosting.

When McCarthy sought the speakership in January, Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin warned the Republican conference’s holdouts about the strength of the California Republican’s purse strings, posting on X, “How much money did they take from McCarthy to get elected over the years?”

Now, after McCarthy was ousted in part due to eight House Republicans in October and the conference went without consensus on a new speaker for three weeks, Van Orden’s reelection campaign may fall victim to the very thing he warned about.