Author: Jessica Machetta
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New Colorado State Patrol chief: 600 road fatalities ‘unacceptable’ (VIDEO)
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Col. Mathew Packard took the helm as chief of the Colorado State Patrol today, and at the center of his message was cracking down on impaired drivers. Traffic deaths are on the rise in Colorado over the past two years, reversing what had been a decade-long trend of falling fatalities. After Packard was sworn in…
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Colorado Dems name annual dinner for Obama family
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Colorado Democratic Party officers have decided to name their annual gala the Obama Dinner. Will former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama be attending? “Yes, the former President and First Lady would certainly be the guests of honor at a dinner bearing their name,” Spokesman Eric Walker said. (Of course, the Obamas are…
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New Colorado marijuana excise taxes go into effect Jan. 1
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Marijuana sales licensees will see three changes to retail excise taxes take effect Jan. 1. The Colorado Department of Revenue says the changes will provide additional clarity on the taxes paid by retail sellers. Beginning at the start of the year, a tax will no longer be collected for contaminated product for extraction, but two new…
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Checks, balances prevent Colorado taxpayers from covering harassment claims
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Has Colorado taxpayer money ever been used to settle workplace harassment claims against the General Assembly? No. Could it? Probably not. Director of the Office of Legislative Legal Services Sharon Eubanks, who is a lawyer, told legislators at a committee meeting that legislative counsel expenditures are looked at by the comptroller and approved before they…
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Attorney for alleged victim pushing for disclosure of all sex harassment complaints against Colorado lawmakers
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An attorney for one of the alleged victims of sexual misconduct by a Colorado legislator said hiring an outside “gatekeeper” who would handle all workplace and sexual harassment complaints in the state Capitol is not enough. “I’m pleased that the legislature is stepping up to hire HR professionals to improve their internal policy and training,…
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Legislative committee votes to hire outside professional to handle sexual harassment complaints at Colorado Capitol
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A Colorado legislative committee has voted unanimously to hire an independent human resources professional to handle workplace harassment complaints – and to do so quickly. The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council will work with the Office of Legislative Legal Services on creating and posting a request for proposals by Dec. 20, with a submission deadline of…
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Gardner signs onto bill to prevent taxpayers from footing the bill for sexual harassment settlements
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U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., might not agree on much, but they do agree taxpayer dollars should not be used to pay settlements for sexual harassment claims against lawmakers. Gardner, Gillibrand and Texas Republican Ted Cruz are co-sponsoring a bill that would correct a 20-year oversight that leaves taxpayers on the…
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Hickenlooper: If allegations against Lebsock are true, he should step down
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Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has not heard Rep. Steve Lebsock’s defense but said if the allegations against the Democratic lawmaker are found to be true, he should resign. “That balance of how do you protect an individual’s right to file a complaint but at the same time recognize someone who’s being (accused), they need to have…
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VIDEO: It’s up to Democratic governors to lead change nationwide, Kennedy says
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Gubernatorial candidate Cary Kennedy says strong Democratic governors need to lead change at the state level while Republicans in Washington continue to chip away at protections for the working class. Kennedy spoke to about 75 supporters at her campaign’s new headquarters in Denver Wednesday evening, saying her plan for preserving Colorado’s environment, public lands and…
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Colorado lawmakers to discuss hiring non-elected HR professional to handle sexual misconduct complaints
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Lawmakers will meet Dec. 15 at the statehouse to discuss hiring an independent consultant that would manage complaints of sexual harassment in the Capitol. Formal complaints are currently filed with House or Senate leadership, and though the process ensures confidentiality, some have said concerns about pushback have made them stay silent. “We have a current…
