Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics’ daily news briefing. Here’s what’s happening today:

Al Gardner named Denver Deputy Mayor

On Monday, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has selected his director of General Services, Al Gardner, as the city’s deputy mayor. 

As deputy mayor, Gardner will take on Johnston’s duties whenever he is unavailable to do so. He will serve a one-year term. 

“I trust Al to bring his commitment, leadership and passion to serve the residents of Denver,” said Johnston. “I am grateful he has accepted this role and I look forward to working together on delivering on our promise to make Denver a vibrant, safe and affordable city for all.”

Gardner, who ran for mayor against Johnston, was appointed to lead the city’s Department of General Services in 2023. He has nearly three decades of career experience, including leading a startup hospitality company, serving as an adjunct instructor at the University of Denver School of Technology and Communications, and serving on a number of boards and commissions, including the Denver African American Commission and Denver Citizens Oversight Board. He was also recently appointed to the Colorado Board of Health by Gov. Jared Polis. 

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow reintroduces legislation to honor law enforcement who defended Capitol on Jan. 6

United States Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) have reintroduced the Capitol Remembrance Act, which proposes erecting a memorial in honor of the law enforcement officers who were injured or killed protecting the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

“Today marks four years since violent insurrectionists stormed the Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn a free and fair election,” said Crow. “On that terrible day, hundreds of law enforcement officers bravely defended the Capitol. 150 officers were assaulted and injured, and five officers died after the attack. Our country owes these heroes a debt of gratitude. I will always support our law enforcement and fight to protect free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power.”

The Capitol Remembrance Act directs the Architect of the Capitol to install an educational exhibit at the Capitol that would include a plaque honoring the law enforcement agencies and officers who helped protect the Capitol during the attack, the preservation of property damaged during the attack, and the inclusion of existing photographs and/or the commissioning of a new painting depicting the attack. 

The bill is cosponsored by 19 other members of Congress. 

Pettersen’s provisions included in water infrastructure law

President Joe Biden signed into law the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which contains three provisions led by U.S. Democratic U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen to improve Colorado’s water infrastructure. 

The law provides Congress with the opportunity to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects to improve the country’s waterways and water infrastructure including flood and storm protection, ports and harbors, and inland waterway navigation networks. 

The act includes Pettersen’s bill, the John Griffin Regional Reservoir Project Act, which authorizes a $50 million investment toward reconnecting the John Griffin Regional Park in Cañon City to the Arkansas River ecosystem, which will prevent flooding and other natural disasters. 

“As our climate continues to change, our ability to plan ahead and ensure we make the necessary investments in water conservation and storage will be essential to our state’s ability to thrive in the future,” said Pettersen. “Importantly, our work to reconnect the John Griffin Regional Park Channels in Cañon City to the Arkansas River was included in the bill, ensuring this community has access to water for years to come. We’ve been working hand-in-hand with Cañon City leaders on this project after hearing from them about the need for federal support to boost water storage and ensure their community has access to the water it needs. This is an example of what we can accomplish for our communities when members from both sides of the aisle come together to get things done. I’m grateful for the hard work of all who helped get this legislation signed into law, making our project a reality.”

Over $530 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding to go to rural electric cooperatives in Colorado

Rural electric cooperatives in Colorado will receive a total of over $530 million to help modernize their infrastructure and offer clean energy to rural communities. The funding comes from the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, which uses dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022. 

CORE Electric Cooperative in Sedalia will receive $225 million, United Power in Brighton will receive $262 million, and Yampa Valley Electric Association, which has offices in Craig and Steamboat Springs, will receive $50 million. 

Three additional rural electric co-ops in Colorado will be moving forward in the New ERA reward process: Grand Valley Rural Power Lines Inc in Grand Junction, Mountain Parks Electric Inc in Granby, and San Miguel Power Association Inc, which has offices in Ridgway and Nucla. 

“Colorado’s rural electric cooperatives are setting the standard for communities across the country working to move toward a clean energy future,” said U.S. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, who helped secure the funding. “This latest funding announcement builds on the billions of dollars being invested in our co-ops to upgrade their energy infrastructure, create high-paying jobs, and lower energy costs for farms, families, and small businesses in rural communities all over our state.”

Gay conversion therapy is unconstitutional, Colorado AG tells Supreme Court

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court today, saying that a state law that bans mental health professionals from practicing “conversion therapy” on LGBT patients is constitutional under the First Amendment because it does not regulate speech, but professional conduct, which falls below the standard of care. 

“In Colorado, we are committed to protecting professional standards of care so that no one suffers unscientific and harmful so-called gay conversion therapy,” said Weiser. “Colorado’s judgment on this is the humane, smart, and appropriate policy and we’re committed to defending it.”

Kaley Chiles, a counselor in Colorado Springs, is challenging the state’s conversion therapy ban, arguing that it violates her First Amendment rights and right to exercise her religion in her practice. In September, the case went before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which sided with the state on the matter, saying that the law does not prohibit Chiles from discussing what conversion therapy is or her views on them, it only bars her from engaging in conversion therapy itself. 

Chiles filed a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking them to take the case. The court declined to hear a similar case out of Washington last month.