Author: Vic Vela
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Hickenlooper has options for Garcia replacement
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With Joe Garcia’s announcement this week that he will soon be stepping down as lieutenant governor, speculation has quickly turned to who Gov. John Hickenlooper will tap to fill the post. Will the new No. 2 simply be a placeholder to serve out the term-limited administration’s final three years in office? Or will the Democrat…
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Supporters, opponents line up as universal health care proposal qualifies for state ballot
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Like many progressives, Irene Aguilar once felt disheartened that President Barack Obama’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, didn’t do more to reform the nation’s broken health care system. That was before she became a member of the Colorado Legislature. “I was really disappointed in him until I spent one session in the General Assembly,…
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Hickenlooper rips Republicans for voting against Ex-Im Bank
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Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office this week blasted the state’s congressional Republicans for their “embarrassing” votes against reauthorizing an agency that helps U.S. exports. A measure to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States received broad bipartisan support in the House Oct. 27. The bill passed 313-118, but Colorado’s four GOP House members voted…
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Mr. Frog: A slowly boiling candidate leaps into the U.S. Senate race
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Not even a children’s book author can include more animals in a sentence than U.S. Senate candidate Gary Swing. “I’ve always said this is a nation of sheep ruled by wolves for the benefit of pigs, and I would like to be a voice to represent the interests of frogs and other endangered species,” Swing…
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Republican Balmer planning to step down from Senate seat
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Republican state Sen. David Balmer will soon resign from office to spend more time with ailing family members and to start a new career opportunity, the Centennial lawmaker told The Colorado Statesman on Friday. Balmer, who is well regarded for his animal welfare legislation at the Capitol, will work as the political director of state…
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Denver drops surety bond requirement for pot shops
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Denver marijuana businesses will no longer be required to obtain surety bonds in order to operate, under an ordinance passed by the city council Monday. The city had required retail and medical marijuana businesses to obtain these bonds as an insurance policy that pot sales taxes would be paid. But recent federal lawsuits filed by…
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Hancock names new Denver sheriff, promises ‘fresh perspective’
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Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced the appointment of a new sheriff Thursday, proclaiming a “new day” for a troubled department Patrick Firman, a longtime Illinois corrections chief, will take over a department that has been plagued with systemic problems and has cost the city millions of dollars in legal settlements over misconduct cases. “It’s going…
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Denver unveils construction-defects reform proposal to spur condo building
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Denver Mayor Michael Hancock this week unveiled a proposal aimed at reining in costs associated with construction defects lawsuits, an issue he believes has hampered the city’s ability to provide housing options for a booming city population. The proposed ordinance is the latest effort by a municipality to deal with a polarizing issue that has…
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Hickenlooper leads delegation on international trade mission
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Gov. John Hickenlooper flew to Japan this week as part of an international trade mission, a four-country trip that he hopes will bolster global relationships and lead to Colorado jobs. The governor is leading a 52-person delegation of business and academic leaders on a two-week trip that will also take them to China, Turkey and…
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Jeffco schools recall target files ethics inquiry against himself
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Backers of an effort to recall three conservative members of the Jefferson County school board have long-claimed the board has violated open meetings laws. But no complaint has ever been filed. So board President Ken Witt, one of the recall targets, announced Thursday he will take it upon himself to file an inquiry — into…