Today is April 16, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Colorado lawmakers advance measure to bar vacancy appointees from immediately running for seats

House Concurrent Resolution 1004 seeks to address part of the problem stemming from vacancy appointments to the legislature — they create an incumbency for the seat, giving them an edge when the next election rolls around.

The resolution, which requires a two-thirds vote from the House and Senate to get on November ballot, asks voters to change the state constitution. It will need 55% approval from voters.

A Colorado Politics analysis in February showed that 28 lawmakers have won their legislative seats through vacancy appointments. For 24 out of the 28 current state lawmakers appointed by vacancy committees, fewer than 40 party insiders on average have made that pick, with a low of just four and a high of 95, both for Senate seats.  

Aurora mayor proposes 'tough love' approach to homelessness: Camping ban on I-225, specialized court

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman wants an outright ban on camping along the I-225 corridor and create a court specifically to address homeless cases, an approach he called “tough love.” 

The approach includes two new proposals from Coffman, Councilmember Steve Sundberg and Councilmember Curtis Gardner, which will be heard in the next council study session on April 22. 

The first of the two proposals would “put the entire I-225 corridor under a new trespass ordinance, where they will be ticketed and given a date to appear in court,” Coffman said.

The second of the two proposals from Coffman would create a new specialized court to deal with low-level offenses by homeless people, such as violating the trespass ordinance, illegal drug possession or retail theft.

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against Denver officials over 2020 pro-police rally

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Denver’s former mayor and several city officials alleging they conspired with those who violently disrupted a pro-police rally four years ago in Civic Center Park.

Weeks after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd in May 2020, sparking international demonstrations, a scheduled “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” event took place in downtown Denver. Black Lives Matter supporters and related groups counter-protested simultaneously, but the two sides physically clashed, causing injuries to attendees.

In response, event organizer Ron MacLachlan Jr. filed suit, along with three-time Republican congressional candidate Casper Stockham, who was unable to give his speech due to the chaos. They alleged former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, former Chief Paul Pazen and others conspired with the demonstrators to infringe on their First Amendment rights.

Colorado justices agree DUI suspects can change mind after initially refusing chemical test

The Colorado Supreme Court agreed on Monday that drunk driving suspects can change their mind after initially refusing to take a blood or breath test, meaning an Arapahoe County judge wrongly blocked jurors from hearing about the defendant’s ultimate consent to take a test after all.

The 6-1 decision technically means defendant Glen Gary Montoya is entitled to a new trial. Practically, however, he will not receive one because Montoya died weeks after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in December.

Although the public defender’s office asked the court to vacate his conviction outright or, alternatively, dismiss the appeal, the justices opted to issue a decision to “provide greater clarity on this broader legal issue,” wrote Justice William W. Hood III in the April 15 opinion.

Current RTD board members criticize Colorado House transit bill

A bill that House Democrats say would help Colorado meet its housing, climate, and transit goals is facing criticism from current members of the RTD board.

They argue that the proposed legislation may disproportionately affect representation for minority communities.

House Bill 1447 would reduce the size of the RTD Board from 15 members to seven. Under the bill, the governor’s office would appoint two board members. At the same time, the remaining positions would be filled through at-large elections, serving larger geographic areas rather than the current smaller districts.

The bill would also increase board members’ salaries from $12,000 to $35,000 and move driver training duties from RTD to the Department of Transportation. 

Bill sponsor Rep. Meg Froelich, D- Englewood, said the bill would help increase RTD’s reliability and boost ridership.