Author: Marissa Ventrelli
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Battle lines drawn as Colorado considers decriminalizing prostitution
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Battle lines have begun to form at the Colorado state Capitol, where legislators are preparing to tackle a proposal to decriminalize prostitution statewide. Proponents said the proposal — which would eliminate the offense of soliciting for prostitution and the prohibition against patronizing a prostitute, as well as preclude local ordinances from banning “commercial sexual activity”…
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Colorado bill disqualifies former ICE agents from getting job in local law enforcement | Bills in Brief
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Colorado lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each year. Bills in brief cuts through the noise by explaining which proposals matter, what’s at stake, and how decisions at the Capitol could affect everyday life across the state. Colorado legislators are pushing legislation to deny law enforcement certification to former or current immigration or Border Patrol agents, thereby precluding…
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Colorado senators initially push for — then drop ‘identity’ factor in parenting time decisions
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The sponsors of a proposal that would require suppression of records in name-change petitions for minors removed a provision that would have mandated the courts to factor in the issue of “identity” when allocating parenting time. In its original form, Senate Bill 018, included a requirement that family courts consider whether parents recognize their child’s…
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One Chance to Grow Up director reflects on marijuana legalization 14 years later
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Fourteen years after Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, the executive director of an organization focused on educating parents about the drug’s effects on developing brains is reflecting on how much has changed in nearly a decade. Henny Lasley, cofounder of One Chance to Grow Up, said among the biggest…
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Colorado bill seeks to limit surveillance tech to ‘lawful’ public safety purposes
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A Republican legislator is pushing legislation on surveillance technology that, she said, is designed to achieve a balance between aiding law enforcement and protecting people’s private rights. Her proposal is drawing support from both sides of the ideological aisle, though for different reasons. Senate Bill 071, sponsored by Sen. Lynda Zamora Wilson, R-Colorado Springs, would…
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Democrats want to decouple Colorado from federal tax breaks
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Democratic members of Colorado’s House and Senate on Tuesday announced the introduction of a slew of bills that would reduce corporate tax deductions and sever Colorado’s tax regime from recent federal changes to the tax code. The federal tax changes provide hundreds of millions dollars in tax breaks. Since Colorado conforms to the federal tax…
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Colorado Senate presses transportation director to increase funding for Morgan County roads
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A coalition of state Senators approved a resolution drafted by the Morgan County Board of Commissioners urging the Colorado Department of Transportation to invest more money into fixing roads. Some 70% of Morgan County’s roads have been labeled by the transportation agency as having “low drivability life,” according to the resolution, which was introduced by…
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Colorado District Attorneys unveil 2026 legislative priorities | WHAT’S YOUR AGENDA?
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Welcome to What’s Your Agenda?: The Colorado Politics’ weekly publication of trade association priorities for the state’s 2026 legislative session. The Colorado District Attorneys’ Council provides training, resources, and legislative support to every prosecutor in the state. In order to take a position on an issue, all 23 elected district attorneys must be in agreement.…
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Colorado lawmakers target ‘ghost networks’ to expand access to mental health care
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A few years ago, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance conducted a “secret shopper” survey on health insurance plans across six states, including Colorado. Of the 120 providers called, one-third were either inaccurately listed in the carrier database, out of service, or did not return the call. Only half of all calls to providers in…
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Resolution calling for increased road funding clears Colorado Senate committee
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A Republican legislator said he was pleasantly surprised on Wednesday when the state Senate’s transportation panel advanced a resolution brought to him by county commissioners urging the Colorado Department of Transportation to invest more money to fix roads. Road maintenance is “probably the No. 1 issue” in his seven-county district, said Sen. Byron Pelton, R-Sterling.…
