Today is Feb. 12, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Colorado House gives final approval to bills on occupancy limits, foster youth 'bill of rights'

The Colorado House on Friday gave final approval to two major proposals dealing with housing and youth in the foster care system with a few defections among Democrats.

House Bill 1007 would block local governments from imposing residential occupancy limits except for public health and safety reasons.

The House had debated HB 1007 on Feb. 2 but waited a full week for its final vote, a signal that the measure might encounter some opposition among Democrats.

As it turns out, it did — from leadership. Rep. Shannon Bird of Westminster, who chairs the Joint Budget Committee, and House Majority Leader Monica Duran of Wheat Ridge, who both joined the Republican members in voting against it.

The final vote was 40-20.

10th Circuit agrees ex-DPS teacher not terminated due to race discrimination

The federal appeals court based in Colorado agreed last week that Denver Public Schools did not discriminate against a Chinese-born teacher when it decided against renewing his employment, but rather had legitimate issues with his performance.

Chunyi “David” Xu taught math at Noel Community Arts School in northeast Denver during the 2018-2019 school year. Due to low enrollment projections, the school needed to cut one math position. A committee considered five math teachers for non-renewal, but ultimately selected Xu.

Xu alleged he was subjected to harassment and bullying, told that his accent was the problem and was treated worse than non-Asian teachers. He filed suit alleging race and national origin discrimination.

In rare do-over, appeals court changes reasons for ordering new Denver assault trial

In an unusual move, Colorado’s second-highest court last month withdrew its opinion ordering a new trial for a man convicted of assault, then issued a new decision with heavily modified reasoning.

Originally, a three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals overturned Amos Rogers’ criminal convictions and 64-year sentence in October. It reasoned a Denver trial judge improperly blocked a key witness from testifying that he secretly spiked Rogers’ drink with LSD, causing Rogers to behave erratically around police officers.

The panel concluded the statute of limitations had expired and the witness could not be prosecuted for drugging Rogers. Therefore, there was no reason to preclude him from testifying about his alleged actions.

However, after the government asked the panel to reconsider, it issued a new opinion on Jan. 25. Judge Matthew D. Grove acknowledged the witness could, in fact, have still faced criminal charges under federal law if he testified to drugging Rogers. Nonetheless, it was still a mistake to prevent jurors from hearing that the witness admitted to an investigator he had drugged Rogers.

It is “clear that there were significant corroborating circumstances that demonstrated the statements’ trustworthiness,” wrote Grove in the modified opinion.

Override of Denver's mayor veto of homeless sweep ban during frigid weather unlikely, councilmembers say

The chances of the Denver City Council overriding the mayor’s veto of the proposal to ban homeless camp sweeps in frigid temperatures are slim-to-none, according to council members who originally voted “no” to it.

The council plans to try the override action on Monday.

The council last week voted, 7-6, in favor of banning homeless camp sweeps when temperatures fall below 32 degrees. Mayor Mike Johnston rejected the proposal, arguing it is too sweeping and it would limit the city’s ability to keep homeless people safe during frigid conditions.

Overriding Johnston’s decision will require nine councilmembers — a high hurdle, given that proposed ordinance passed on a very narrow margin.

Biden’s ‘mental state’ in question after classified documents report and memory lapses

President Joe Biden’s mental acuity has been cast under a harsh spotlight following repeated memory lapses and a report that labeled him a “well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.”

Biden has mixed up living European leaders for dead ones three times within the last week, needed a reporter’s help to remember the name of the Hamas terrorist group, and then lapsed on another world leader while defending his memory.

Following the report into his handling of classified documents, the GOP was left both furious that Biden was not prosecuted and calling for his removal via the 25th Amendment, which would have to be initiated by Biden’s Cabinet.

“For the safety of our nation, Joe Biden must resign,” Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) posted on X. “He could not remember basic facts about his life. He is not competent to remain as Commander-in-Chief & every day that he remains, he puts America at risk.”

Focusing on the main event instead of the sideshow | SONDERMANN

In his latest column, Eric Sondermann writes about the Republican “sideshows,” the Democratic side “merits greater scrutiny and public discussion.” 

Republicans in Colorado make it all too easy.

The antics of Lauren Boebert, Dave Williams and such retrograde types practically write themselves as headline stories. These colorful characters provide no end of spectacle. Or of spectacularly bad judgment.

These folks are the best friend a reporter or commentator ever had. They offer unlimited fodder. Their mischief is journalistic catnip.

They are the headliners, but they have plenty of company in the top ranks of the local GOP. When gubernatorial nominee Heidi Ganahl played footsie with Jan. 6th deniers or apologists, of course the press ran with it.