Author: Vic Vela
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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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‘Clean Slate’ Jeffco school board candidates outpace recall targets in fundraising
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The “Clean Slate” candidates in the Jefferson County school board recall campaign might be more aptly named the “Green Slate.” That’s the color of money – and the candidates who are seeking to oust the conservative school board majority from power have a lot of it, according to campaign finance reports filed this week with…
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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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Hickenlooper forms task force on Native American mascots
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There will be no debate at the Capitol next year over the use of American Indian mascots at public schools. Instead, a diverse commission intends to start a statewide dialogue on the contentious issue, which led to lengthy and often emotional legislative hearings earlier this year. Gov. John Hickenlooper issued an executive order Tuesday that…
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SD 12 GOP primary pits Gardner, Klingenschmitt
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A Republican clash in Colorado Springs is shaping up to be the most intriguing race of the upcoming legislative primary slate. “It’s a classic standoff of the current split that’s going on in the Republican Party,” said Bob Loevy, a retired Colorado College political science professor and longtime Colorado Springs-based political analyst. Former state Rep.…
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Denver budget boosts spending on transportation, sheriff’s department
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Denver Mayor Michael Hancock unveiled a $1.26 billion budget proposal Monday that will provide residents with more affordable housing and transportation options. And the mayor proposed the largest funding increase ever for the sheriff department, which will use the cash boost to pay for reforms at the troubled agency. Hancock touted his proposal at a…
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Colorado women embark on pilgrimage to greet pope, bring attention to immigration
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Three Colorado women will soon travel to the East Coast ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to bring attention to the struggles facing immigrant families. The three will be among 100 women who will make a pilgrimage to see the pope this week. The women will converge on Philadelphia, where they will walk 100 miles from…
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Denver moves step closer to approving Chick-fil-A restaurant at airport
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After an initial ruffling of feathers over a national chicken chain’s planned presence at the Denver International Airport, a Denver City Council committee on Tuesday gave the preliminary OK for its lease. The Business Development Committee’s unanimous approval for a Chick-fil-A franchise lease came two weeks after an initial approval attempt stalled following a discussion…
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Denver moves ahead with college affordability ballot measure
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Denver residents won’t even notice the pocketbook impact of a proposed tax hike to fund college scholarships, the city’s chief financial officer said this week. Even if voters approve a slight sales tax increase to create the College Affordability Fund this fall, the city’s tax rate will remain at a level residents are accustomed to…
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New veteran’s laws take effect
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Funding for a pilot program aimed at helping military veterans maintain employment will be awarded by the state this month. The program is one of three new laws recently put in place to provide support for veterans or active-duty military members. House Bill 1030 creates the Employment Services for Veterans Pilot Program. The program sets…
