Today is July 11, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Divided Colorado Republicans plan dueling meetings to decide whether Dave Williams remains party chair

Rival factions of the Colorado Republican Party have scheduled separate meetings a week apart in different corners of the state later this month to consider whether to remove Dave Williams as the state party’s chairman, though the meeting set by Williams’ allies is only planned to last long enough to gavel in and then immediately recess.

Leaders of both groups accuse the others of staging “illegal” and “fraudulent” meetings in what they characterize as attempts to hijack the state Republican Party for their own gain, even as GOP candidates are left scrambling to prepare for a crucial election just months away.

State, national Libertarians in standoff over which can name a presidential ticket to Colorado's ballot

The Libertarian Party of Colorado’s plans to place independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the state’s ballot hit a snag this week when a national party official filed paperwork instead designating the Libertarians’ presidential nominee, Chase Oliver, to Colorado’s general election ballot.

The move has led to a standoff between the state and national Libertarian parties over which has the authority to put a presidential and vice presidential ticket in front of Colorado voters, with both sides accusing the other of going rogue and suggesting the dispute could land in court.

After voting a month ago to reject the ticket nominated by the national party, the state Libertarians’ board announced last week that it would nominate Kennedy after reaching what it described as a “groundbreaking partnership” with his campaign. Elements of the agreement included securing the candidate’s signature on a pledge to abide by a list of the party’s principles and an intention to collaborate on fundraising, the party said.

Bipartisan committee aims to tackle cell phone coverage gaps in Colorado

A new panel of Colorado lawmakers, officials and industry experts met for the first time on Tuesday to take a closer look at gaps in cell phone coverage across the state.

The newly formed Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee has begun its work to identify gaps in coverage, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities.

“Whether it’s for work, school, meeting virtually with your doctor, searching for directions, or contacting emergency services — quality cell phone connectivity is vital,” Committee Chair Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, said. “However, many of our neighbors living in rural and mountainous communities are stuck with unreliable cell services. Gaps in cell phone connectivity means Coloradans can find themselves on their own in a dangerous, emergency situation.”

Appeals court rules for first time that Social Security benefits can be included in alimony

Colorado’s second-highest court clarified last week that federal law does not prohibit a person’s Social Security benefits from being diverted to pay for their ex-spouse’s alimony.

Although other states’ courts had addressed the issue, the Court of Appeals never previously evaluated the meaning of two provisions of federal law as applied to divorced couples. First, a person’s Social Security benefits “shall not be transferable or assignable.” However, those payments “shall be subject” to alimony, which Colorado refers to as “spousal maintenance.”

The upshot, wrote Judge David H. Yun for a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals, is that judges may “consider social security retirement benefits, as well as other non-assignable federal benefits, in awarding maintenance or child support, even in circumstances where the order effectively results in an indirect assignment of those benefits.”

Felony child abuse convictions overturned in high-profile case due to instruction error

Colorado’s second-highest court reversed a woman’s felony convictions for child abuse resulting in death last month after concluding the instructions that a San Miguel County judge provided the jury did not include the necessary language.

Hannah Marshall, 8, and Makayla Roberts, 10, were discovered dead and decomposing in a vehicle located on Frederick “Alec” Blair’s Norwood farm in 2017. A forensic examiner was unable to conclusively state the cause of death because of the condition of the girls’ bodies, but evidence suggested long-term malnourishment near the end of their lives.

Among those charged was Madani Ceus. Jurors heard she was in charge of the group of itinerant adults and children living on the farm. At some point, the victims were banished to live in a car with no food. Ceus directed that no one contact them.