Today is Feb. 14, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Democratic-controlled panel OKs stricter class requirements for concealed weapons permits

A panel of House lawmakers on Tuesday approved, on an 8-3 party-line vote, a bill that would require stricter requirements for those who hold or want to obtain concealed weapons permits.

The measure from House Majority Leader Monica Duran of Wheat Ridge and Rep. Marc Snyder of Manitou Springs requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to set stricter criteria for concealed handgun classes and permits.

Currently, a person can obtain a permit from the local sheriff after completing a firearms training course, which includes “live-fire” exercises for as little as 20 rounds, and submitting an ID and fingerprints and a background check. The permit is good for five years.

Colorado Supreme Court to review felony murder conviction from Arapahoe County

The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will review a high-profile murder case out of Arapahoe County in which the state’s second-highest court previously concluded the defendant’s conviction could not stand.

At least three of the court’s seven members must agree to hear a case on appeal.

The justices narrowly turned down a second criminal appeal in which a trial judge allegedly gave a defendant a harsher sentence solely for not saying the words, “I’m sorry.” Only two members of the Supreme Court showed an interest in deciding that case.

'Something about that is wrong': Colorado justices weigh ski resort immunity for child's debilitating fall

In a case that attracted the interest of Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry, the state Supreme Court considered on Tuesday whether parents may waive their children’s right to sue for debilitating injuries that are allegedly the fault of a negligent ski resort operator.

Annalea “Annie” Miller was 16 years old when she fell 30 feet from a chair lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Her father, Michael D. Miller, filed suit alleging Annie’s injuries — which resulted in her paralysis — were the product of the operator, Vail Resorts, failing to exercise the appropriate level of care in running the lift.

After a trial judge dismissed Miller’s negligence claim, Miller appealed directly to the Supreme Court, arguing Vail Resorts’ legal duty to its customers was not something he could sign away on Annie’s behalf when he acknowledged in a waiver they would “assume all risks and dangers of the activity.”

Colorado lawmakers give green light to bill prohibiting adult use of cellphones while driving

A Senate committee Monday gave approval to a measure that will require adults to use hands-free cellphone devices or face harsher penalties for talking on a cellphone while driving.

Senate Bill 65 is the latest incarnation of efforts by lawmakers who have been trying for at least 15 years to require adult drivers to keep their eyes on the road, instead of on their cellphones.

Current state law already imposes restrictions around cellphones on drivers under 18. But it’s been a much bigger hurdle to impose those same restrictions on adult drivers.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas impeached by U.S. House over border crisis

U.S. House Republicans impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a contentious vote on Tuesday evening, making the Biden administration official the first Cabinet member to be impeached in nearly 150 years.

The vote was the second attempt by House Republicans to impeach Mayorkas after they failed to do so last week.

Lawmakers voted by a narrow margin, 214-213, to approve two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in February 2021 to lead the department’s 260,000 employees.