The House Education Committee unanimously advanced two bills this week sponsored by Colorado Springs Reps. Mary Bradfield and Rose Pugliese. Continue Reading Bradfield's bleed control kits, Pugliese's workforce support clear committee | FOCUS ON THE SPRINGS
Democrats on Saturday invoked a little-used rule to limit debate, effectively shutting down a filibuster by Republicans, after two days in which lawmakers made little progress on two gun bills. Continue Reading House Democrats invoke little-used rule to shut down Republicans' filibuster
The lighter side of the Capitol, usually. Continue Reading The wearing o' the green, or something like it | CAPITOL M
In Colorado and nationwide, around one in 10 people will be diagnosed with an eating disorder in their lifetime. State lawmakers are trying to address that with a new pair of bills. Continue Reading Colorado advances eating disorder prevention, intervention bills: 'It's time we take a stand'
On a day when teachers and supporters of East High School came to the Capitol for a second day, a trio of Democratic-sponsored gun violence bills tied up the state House for hours on Friday. Continue Reading Colorado Republicans stage filibuster to delay gun bills
Hospital facility fees, according to those who oppose them, are hidden charges and unfair to consumers who get hit with those costs months after their outpatient medical treatments, and which can run into thousands of dollars. One witness likened the fees in a House committee hearing Friday … Continue Reading Bill to ban hospital facilities fees gets heated hearing, moves on
After more than 11 hours of debate on the Senate floor, three bills seeking to bolster abortion rights in Colorado cleared the chamber on Wednesday, advancing to the House for consideration. Continue Reading Colorado Democrats pass trio of abortion rights bills in Senate, sending them to House
Colorado's U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Oregon's U.S. Senator Ron Wyden are pressing for parity in mental health services for children and older Americans. Continue Reading Colorado's Michael Bennet, Oregon's Ron Wyden press for mental health parity for seniors, kids
They came by the hundreds — parents, students, gun violence prevention advocates — to the state Capitol on Thursday, the day after a 17-year-old allegedly opened fire on two administrators at East High, barely a mile from the state Capitol. Continue Reading Colorado legislators hear from East High students pressing for action after shooting
Alexander Cisneros spent Wednesday morning in lockdown after one of his classmates at East High School allegedly shot two faculty members. Seven hours later, he spent the evening advocating for gun safety in front of the Colorado legislature. Continue Reading East High School student testifies on gun bills hours after school shooting
In January 2020, two Larimer County sisters ages 14 and 16 were sitting in a parking lot eating a snack after school when a strange man drove up to them. The man raised his pelvis to his window and exposed his genitals to the girls, masturbating in front of them. Continue Reading Colorado lawmakers target indecent exposure in front of children
A bill introduced in the state House Monday seeks to raise the minimum age for criminal prosecution from 10 to 13 years old — reigniting a failed legislative effort from last year. Continue Reading Colorado lawmakers again try to raise minimum age to criminally charge kids to 13
A legislative effort to impose felony penalties on those who deal a variety of drugs that result in a deadly overdose won a narrow vote to pass out of the state Senate in an emotional day for one of its sponsors. Continue Reading Ramping up penalties for drug dealing resulting in death splits Senate Democrats, wins narrow approval
Days before a hearing on a bill to ban hospital facility fees, supporters of the legislation are backing off a blanket prohibition on those fees. Continue Reading Hospital facility fees legislation set for a rewrite, lobbyist tells reporters
The way one former staffer put it, it was an opportunity to work for a young, charismatic rising star in Denver and state politics. Continue Reading Inside the office of state Rep. Leslie Herod: High intensity or workplace harassment?
As Colorado Springs sees hundreds of thousands of dollars pour into the mayoral and City Council races, the General Assembly is considering a cap on donations from individuals and committees giving to candidates in municipal elections across Colorado. Continue Reading Colorado lawmakers consider caps on city race donations, as big money flows in Colorado Springs elections
Last month, a cleaning company was exposed for illegally employing over 100 children as young as 13 in dangerous jobs at meatpacking plants in eight states across the country — including at JBS Foods in Greeley, Colorado. Continue Reading Colorado bill would let injured child labor victims sue employers
Colorado school districts could soon offer mental health screenings to sixth through 12th graders — if a bill passed by the state House is enacted. Continue Reading Proposal advances for mental health screenings in Colorado middle, high schools
Business in the state Senate on Monday came to a halt more than once as lawmakers debated a bill that seeks to impose stricter penalties on dealers who distribute drugs that result in death. Continue Reading Drug penalties proposal leads to stand-off in Colorado Senate
Here are legislative committee hearings and other events of note for the week ahead at the Colorado state Capitol. Continue Reading THIS WEEK AT THE COLORADO CAPITOL | Week of March 20, 2023
Rep. Regina English’s bill to prohibit corporal punishment in schools and child care centers cleared the House this week — but not before she battled it out with fellow lawmakers from the Colorado Springs delegation. Continue Reading Colorado Springs lawmakers clash over banning corporal punishment in schools | FOCUS ON THE SPRINGS
When she was 15 years old, Aimee Resnick’s eating disorder nearly killed her. Continue Reading As 1 in 10 Coloradans experience eating disorders, lawmakers consider action | COVER STORY
The lighter side of the Capitol, although this week there may be an extra pound or two among lawmakers Continue Reading Colorado's legislature keeps its eye on the 'Pi' | CAPITOL M
In Colorado, suicide is the leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults. State lawmakers are trying to help address that with one small change. Continue Reading Colorado colleges to add suicide hotlines to student IDs
Colorado has among the worst recidivism rates in the country, with over 50% of people released from prison ending up back behind bars within three years. Continue Reading Colorado legislature OKs reducing prison sentences for inmates pursuing higher education
Colorado landlords could soon be prohibited from evicting tenants or declining to renew leases without "just cause," if a bill passed by the state House becomes law. Continue Reading Colorado Democrats advance bill to ban evictions, lease terminations without ‘just cause’
An effort to give Colorado farmers access to the resources needed to repair their own agricultural equipment passed its final legislative vote on Thursday. Continue Reading Colorado lawmakers approve right to repair agricultural equipment
The March revenue forecast — key for legislators who will craft the Colorado state government's spending priorities in the upcoming fiscal year — shows modest improvements from December, but warning signs exists for a possible recession, reduced revenue collections and the effects of inflati… Continue Reading With inflation, possibility of recession, economists see tight outlook for Colorado's state budget
One of the more contentious debates over a bill that would have almost no impact on the industry it's trying to regulate got just hot enough on Thursday to cost it the Democratic support it needed to move forward. Continue Reading Colorado Senate kills horse bill after sponsor splits with ag groups
A proposal crafted by teenagers that seeks to offer substance abuse intervention guidelines to Colorado schools received approval on Wednesday from the state House. Continue Reading House Democrats OK substance abuse intervention for Colorado middle, high schools
A task force studying the gaps in services if policymakers raise the minimum age that Colorado children can be charged with crimes released its final report, recommending a slew of changes to mitigate potential impacts. Continue Reading Colorado report explores gaps in services if children can't be criminally charged until 13
The recent Disability Rights Advocacy Day at the state Capitol took on a new look for 2023 — one of their own is championing their cause from within. Continue Reading Disability advocates in Colorado push for their own to seek elected office
The bullet traveled through her window, cut through the sheers, pierced into her china cabinet, and then lodged itself in the living room wall. Continue Reading Bullet hits Colorado senator's window in Aurora, shattering 'faith in my security'
The bill would make any statements obtained by juveniles during custodial interrogations inadmissible in court if law enforcement knowingly presented untruthful information to the juvenile during the interrogation. Continue Reading Colorado lawmakers advance bill to prevent police from lying to minors during interrogations
Bipartisanship is not, in fact, dead at the state Capitol, as evidenced by a news conference in which Gov. Jared Polis and lawmakers from both parties announced two bills to improve workforce development. Continue Reading 20,000 Coloradans to benefit from free training in associate degrees, certifications
House Bill 1068 seeks to cap pet rents to 1% of the owner’s monthly rent or $35, and cap pet deposits to $300 on top of existing security deposits. Continue Reading Colorado House OKs capping pet rent, deposits
Supporters argue the legislation would save lives and help prevent young people from committing violence using a gun, while critics say the package of gun bills Democrat are pushing for would turn law-abiding citizens into criminals. Continue Reading Colorado Senate OKs bill to raise age to buy firearms to 21, approves 2 other gun bills
Supporters of Senate Bill 23-097 argue that the status quo "simply doesn’t make sense.” Critics say charging thieves with harsher offenses would not deter theft if the criminals are not getting arrested in the first place. Continue Reading Colorado Senate passes proposal to crack down on car theft
A panel of lawmakers approved, on a party-line vote, a bill intended to fix issues with the Colorado Option, the state-designed health insurance program that launched its first open enrollment period late last year. Continue Reading House panel OKs changes to Colorado Option, raises questions about unfair competitive advantage
The Colorado state House on Monday advanced legislation that seeks to prohibit intimate medical exams on unconscious patients without their clear consent. Continue Reading Proposal to ban intimate medical exams on unconscious patients advances in Colorado
Here are legislative committee hearings and other events of note for the week ahead at the Colorado state Capitol. Continue Reading THIS WEEK AT THE COLORADO CAPITOL | Week of March 13, 2023
Colorado Republicans on Saturday elected Dave Williams, a former state lawmaker from Colorado Springs who insists that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election, to lead the state party for the next two years. Continue Reading Colorado Republicans elect Dave Williams to lead state party for next two years
After two days of debate and filibuster, the Democrats who control the majority in both chambers of the Colorado General Assembly approved a package of proposals they say will help curb gun violence in the state. Continue Reading Colorado legislators OK 3-day waiting period on gun purchase
An effort to lower interest rates for the more than 700,000 Coloradans with medical debt took a major step forward on Friday, receiving approval from the state Senate. Continue Reading Senate OKs capping medical debt interest rates in Colorado
Lawmakers in the Colorado state House Spent Thursday afternoon, evening and early Friday morning debating a proposal to establish a three-day waiting period for purchasing firearms and a bill on safe injection sites. Continue Reading House Republicans' filibuster produces Saturday workday, GOP scheduling conflicts
Lawmakers in the Colorado state House are spending their Thursday afternoon, evening and potentially into early Friday morning debating over a proposal to establish a three-day waiting period for purchasing firearms. Continue Reading Colorado Republicans' filibuster over gun bill turns into game of chicken
Buying tickets for events could soon look very different in Colorado thanks to legislation advanced by the state Senate on Thursday. Continue Reading Senate OKs banning speculative ticketing, other ‘deceptive’ ticket sale practices in Colorado
Democratic lawmakers moved closer toward making Colorado a sanctuary state for abortion access on Thursday, announcing the introduction of three bills that seek to bolster abortion-right laws. Continue Reading Democrats push 3 bills to bolster abortion rights in Colorado
Colorado Catholic bishops pushed back against a slew of abortion-rights legislation Democrats introduced at the state Capitol this week, arguing the proposals "eliminate choice" for women. Continue Reading Colorado's Catholic bishops defend crisis pregnancy centers, abortion 'reversal'
The bill that would have restricted who could run as a candidate to replace a recalled official, and which raised questions of constitutionality, won a bipartisan vote in the House Thursday, but only after major changes. Continue Reading House signs off on recall bill but with major changes
