Author: Tom Ramstack
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Regulation of Colorado uranium mining awaits US Supreme Court decision
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A case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court is creating uncertainties over the authority of states like Colorado to regulate uranium mines, such as one being considered for Weld County on the eastern plains. In the case of Virginia Uranium Inc., the Supreme Court is considering whether state laws on uranium mining are preempted by…
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FEC: Lawyers contributed nearly $4M to Colorado’s federal candidates during midterms
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Colorado candidates for Congress or governor received 7,942 contributions from lawyers during this year’s midterm elections, the Federal Election Commission reported this week. Nationwide, there were 13 law firms that contributed at least a quarter-million dollars to either congressional candidates or party committees, some with offices in Colorado. More contributions went to Democrats than Republicans…
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More state control of wildlife conservation examined at U.S. Senate hearing
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WASHINGTON – A U.S. Senate committee is considering legislative options to boost support for state programs to protect threatened wildlife like the sage grouse. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing Wednesday to examine state conservation and wildlife management programs. The hearing was partly a response to complaints by state officials –…
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Colo. activists warn in D.C. of skiing threat from climate change
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WASHINGTON – Colorado advocates against global warming wrapped up a week of meetings on Capitol Hill Thursday after reminding members of Congress about severe consequences from warmer winters. Their point: Colorado stands to lose big if climate change continues to chip away at its winter recreation industry. “It’s about jobs and it’s about the economy,”…
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Denver Homeland Security official asks Congress to help human trafficking victims
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WASHINGTON – A Denver-based U.S. Homeland Security Department official supported legislation requiring more assistance for human trafficking victims during a congressional hearing Wednesday. Many of the victims are severely traumatized when law officers extract them from forced labor or the sex trade, according to expert witnesses at a U.S. House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing. They…
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Could laws like one in Colo. reduce medical costs? A US Senate committee aims to find out
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WASHINGTON – A U.S. Senate committee held a hearing Tuesday to decide whether laws like a new one in Colorado that requires health care price transparency could bring down medical costs. Proposals the Senate is considering would require doctors and hospitals to post their prices for common procedures on the internet. As health insurance prices…
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Congress considers more leases of historic buildings in national parks
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WASHINGTON – A congressional committee on Monday discussed possibilities for a new approach to reducing the nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog in national parks that has touched Colorado deeply. The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to consider a broad expansion of leasing historic buildings in national parks to private entities like businesses. Some…
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WATCH: DeGette advocates plan for wildfire pollution control
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WASHINGTON – Efforts to control wildfires always will fail until the government develops a long-term plan to prevent forest fires and is willing to fund it, Colorado U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette said Thursday. DeGette was speaking during a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on environment hearing. Congress is trying to improve methods to control air…
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Gardner: Colorado natural gas could buy diplomatic influence in Europe
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s plans for Colorado’s natural gas production reach far beyond economic development into U.S. foreign policy. “Colorado could play a key role in countering Russian aggression,” the Colorado Republican told Colorado Politics. The U.S. Geological Survey says recent discoveries show Colorado might have the nation’s second-largest natural gas reserves, most…
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Tipton bill to protect landowners near federal property wins first approval
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WASHINGTON – A congressional bill to protect property owners’ rights during federal land acquisitions won first round approval Thursday but drew only cautious support from a major Colorado environmental group. The bill was introduced by Colorado U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, who is a member of the House Natural Resources subcommittee on federal lands. The…
