Author: Vic Vela
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Cyberbullies, homemade hash oil targets of new laws taking effect
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Crackdowns on cyberbulling and homemade hash oil are now on the books in Colorado. The laws are among 19 new statutes that took effect July 1. Those who are guilty of cyberbulling — harassment through interactive electronic media, such as social media — will now face up to six months behind bars.The law, a result…
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Conservative Jeffco School Board members face recall
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For supporters of an effort to recall three conservative members of the Jefferson County School Board, the potential for an off-year election holds a mixed bag. If enough signatures are gathered in an effort to oust Board President Ken Witt, Vice President Julie Williams and Secretary John Newkirk, a recall election will be held this…
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Denver officials say fixes to sheriff dept. will take time
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Denver officials got an earful from the public about problems plaguing the Denver Sheriff Department at a recent forum that addressed the need for a culture shift within the troubled law enforcement agency. Community members rattled off a number of areas of concerns — including how inmates are treated and a perceived lack of transparency…
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State Board of Ed. members talk ‘dysfunction,’ passion in wake of exodus
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For the Colorado Board of Education, one member’s zeal is another’s dysfunction. One week after board Chairwoman Marcia Neal blasted the board’s “destructive behavior” in a strongly-worded resignation letter, board members say they are trying to move forward to do good work for the state’s children. But can they really?“I’m not a doomsday type,” said…
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Johnston letter responds to A.M.E. massacre
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A state lawmaker this week wrote a powerful letter in response to the recent massacre that took place at a black South Carolina church — one he feels “every white person” should also write. After news broke on Wednesday night that a white gunman had walked into a historic black church in Charleston, state Sen.…
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Hickenlooper says taxi bill ‘falls short,’ lets it become law without signature
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A law set to take effect this summer will ease marketplace restrictions for new taxi companies in hopes of creating more ride options for a Denver metro area that is booming in population. But some feel the measure doesn’t go far enough, while others worry it will lead to greater congestion on city streets.Gov. John…
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Hick cites fiscal concerns with pair of no-sign laws
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Gov. John Hickenlooper’s cautious response last week to two new laws foreshadows the budget constraints lawmakers will be dealing with next year. Last week, the governor declined to sign one bill aimed at boosting college preparedness for under-served youths and another that increases penalties in assault cases involving emergency care providers. Instead of signing or…
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Hickenlooper declares first steps in ‘Colorado Beautiful’ initiative
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Gov. John Hickenlooper this week outlined the first steps in a conservation and outdoors recreation initiative that ultimately aims to enable every Coloradan to live within a 10-minute walk of a “vibrant, green space.” “Our goal would be to get the majority of Coloradans to, on a regular basis, appreciate that space,” Hickenlooper told reporters.…
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Obama officials blast Congress over funding to fight wildfires
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The timing of an Obama administration trip to the Denver area this week to talk about the threat of wildfires might have seemed odd, given the recent, record-breaking precipitation around Colorado. But officials warn that the green that currently coats the state has the potential to feed blazes throughout what is expected to be a…
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Pot tax issue heads to the ballot — again
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There’s a line in the Grateful Dead’s “Born Cross-Eyed” that Colorado voters can relate to when it comes to votes on marijuana taxes:“Seems like I’ve been here before.” Voters have already given the state the OK to keep taxes collected from the sale of recreational marijuana. But a glitch in state law requires the issue…
