Author: Luige Del Puerto
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What to expect after filing a property tax valuation protest
Arapahoe County saw almost 31,000 protests against property tax valuations – a record number – after the valuation for the median residential home rose by 42%. Arapahoe County Assessor PK Kaiser earlier noted that the areas that experienced the largest gains in residential property value were Aurora, Littleton and Englewood. Anders Nelson, the county spokesperson, talked…
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Colorado politicians, activists react to Supreme Court’s ruling favoring Christian artist
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favor of a Christian graphic artist from Colorado who balked at designing wedding websites for gay couples. We’re tracking how Colorado politicians, activists and others are reacting. Attorney General Phil Weiser, who argued in defense of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act: “Today’s sweeping decision threatens to destabilize our public marketplace and…
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State, local health officials investigate plague in southwest Colorado
State and local health officials are investigating and monitoring plague activity in southwest Colorado after a person was infected in Montezuma County this month. Officials said the exposure to plague likely occurred on private property. Plague is caused by a bacteria called Yersinia pestis, which can be transmitted to people if bitten by infected fleas…
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Colorado lawmaker on ‘ambush’ of Denver officer and fellow Iraq war vet: ‘I’m glad he won the fight’
Rep. Ryan Armagost, an Iraq War veteran and former deputy sheriff, watched in horror as the video of what the Denver police described as the “ambush” of an officer unfold. In the video, a man opens a gate and enters. A police car is parked just a few feet away. Within seconds, the man pulls…
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Q&A with Prof. Robert Preuhs | Wider geographic support key to Mike Johnston’s victory
Prof. Robert Preuhs, who chairs the political science department at Metropolitan State University of Denver, closely watched the mayoral race between Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough. In this interview, Preuhs noted the fundraising disparity between the two candidates, but maintained that Johnston and Brough collected enough dollars to get their messages out. Key to Johnston’s victory,…
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Denver improves transparency efforts, but risk of inconsistencies remains, auditors say
Denver officials have improved efforts to notify the public about projects and proposals, but the risk of inconsistencies in engagement with residents in some areas remains, according to city auditors. Back in 2021, auditors looked into the city’s mechanisms to ensure transparency and concluded Denver’s compliance with public notice requirements was inconsistent and that expectations…
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Polis unveils $27 million in grants to promote high paying jobs
The Polis administration on Thursday announced $27 million in grants to scores of entities under a program aimed at helping to connect more Coloradans to high-paying jobs. All told, 46 groups received anywhere between $50,000 and $7 million from the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program, which aims to support the creation and expansion of “innovative” workforce…
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Denver’s finance department has improved expense approval system, auditors say
Denver’s finance department has done a better job of guiding employees in approving expense reports, although the risk lingers that some spending is not being adequately scrutinized, the city’s auditors concluded. In a follow up report to a 2021 review, Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien said the Department of Finance fully implemented five of his office’s…
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Mike Johnston’s big promises: Solve homelessness, add first responders
On his way to winning the mayor’s race in Denver, Mike Johnston made big promises as he vowed to tackle Denver’s most pressing issues. Political experts say voters who picked the former legislator to succeed outgoing Mayor Michael Hancock will be watching his moves closely – but with a tinge of impatience and great expectations…
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Judge allows Polis’ property tax measure to move forward
A district court judge rejected a challenge against a proposal from Colorado Democrats to ask voters in November to divert a portion of TABOR refunds for 10 years in order to pay for property tax relief. If approved by the public, the measure would help backfill the loss of revenue for county governments and special districts. …