In a classic example of the tragedy of the commons, oil and gas corporations often sell off their no-longer-productive lands with haste, altogether avoiding the responsibility of reclamation. Unsurprisingly, the number of “orphaned,” or unattended, wells continues to multiply on our lands — … Continue Reading
The American people have been looking for relief from high health insurance costs. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and its expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its marketplaces help provide that relief. With the pandemic exposing the need for affordable health insurance, thi… Continue Reading
In their quest to cut health-care costs, Colorado lawmakers must make sure not to silence the voices of patients and caregivers who are most affected by their decisions. Continue Reading
The American Rescue Plan includes much-needed relief for consumers when it comes to health insurance costs, and at the center of this legislation is historic expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its marketplaces across the country, improving accessibility and affordability. Continue Reading
During this year’s Black Maternal Health Week, many organizations across the country are speaking out about the importance of supporting, trusting, and listening to Black women. The existing inequities that Black, indigenous and other people of color face during pregnancy are unconscionable,… Continue Reading
Our enormous daily intake of both misinformation and its more nefarious cousin, disinformation, has sickened our democracy with a kind of heart disease that is threatening to give America a massive coronary. Continue Reading
It is past time to change some of Colorado’s most offensive place names and monuments — including mascots. In her March 9 ColoradoPolitics.com column ("BARTELS | Two bills take aim but totally miss the target"), Lynn Bartels stated that the recently proposed SB21-116, a measure that will pro… Continue Reading
For those of us on a fixed income, one of our worst fears is an emergency that occurs — whether something happens to our health, a major issue in the house, or other unexpected issues. So, you can imagine how reluctant I was to even be transferred to the ER by ambulance somewhat recently whe… Continue Reading
A trade association for organizations that make their living institutionalizing children peddles scare stories about what might happen if they can’t institutionalize quite so many children. That’s the reality behind the rhetoric in a recent column by Becky Miller Updike of the Colorado Assoc… Continue Reading
The Denver City Council is considering a proposed ordinance to allow marijuana smoking and vaping indoors in certain establishments in Denver to people 21 years or older. This proposal seems not only outrageous, but a step backward from all the progress that has been made in terms of protect… Continue Reading
There is some misunderstanding about the proposed Traveling Animal Protection Act, SB21-135, which is aimed at ending wild animal performances in traveling circuses, county fairs and similar venues. Continue Reading
I was surprised to learn my friend was undecided on the abortion ban ballot measure in November. I assumed she knew the devastating impact of Proposition 115. Continue Reading
Was the recent Texas "deep freeze" unique? Continue Reading
Colorado working families need relief and the expansion of the earned income tax credit is it. As a working single parent tax season has always come a little too late. It is the time I can get caught up on bills, a time I didn’t have to drastically budget my groceries, a time I could conside… Continue Reading
There were so many lies in Douglas Groothuis’ recent commentary on abortion I’m not quite sure where to start ("THE PODIUM | Abortion isn't health care — not even close," Feb. 10). It’s insulting to doctors and patients alike. Continue Reading
Regarding Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg's commentary, "COVID curbs on high school sports defy logic," Feb. 9: Continue Reading
We’ll make this brief. We know the challenges facing us today aren’t simple, but our message to lawmakers is. Continue Reading
Regarding the "'Public banks' would pose risks, play politics," piece Feb. 2: Continue Reading
Colorado Politics reporter Marianne Goodland’s Feb. 1 piece on Democratic gun-control proposals (“Safe gun storage campaign launches ahead of legislation from General Assembly”) makes a sham of journalism. Continue Reading
It’s Ground Hog Day and I’m reading another lopsided story about gun control in Colorado Politics (“Safe gun storage campaign launches ahead of legislation from General Assembly,” Feb. 1). Continue Reading
Now that the Second Annual Trump Impeachment Circus is underway, should we not ask: How much will it cost the taxpayers? Continue Reading
In a recent Podium, Colorado’s agriculture commissioner Kate Greenberg claimed that I had suggested that farmers were a "threat" to the state’s water supplies ("Big money eyeing Colorado's water," Jan. 13). Nothing could be further from the truth. Continue Reading
I predicted this. Continue Reading
Our country is in crisis — needing solutions to establishing an economic recovery and eliminating COVID. Trump's lies about a stolen election are not supporting that focus — instead they are a huge distraction. I fell into the trap of trying to influence my legislative representative, an ex… Continue Reading
Hal Bidlack nailed it ("Safeguard future of our flora and fauna," Dec. 15) in one simple sentence: "Even if you cannot think of a 'practical' value for a species, there is still intrinsic value in their mere existence." Continue Reading
Is there a way to contain or rectify the obvious election frauds which have plagued the six or seven states which were flipped from Trump to Biden by 100,000-plus vote dumps mysteriously occurring post-Election Day? Continue Reading
In light of another electoral drubbing in Colorado, can the GOP begin to consider what it would take to become a sensible, centrist-governing party? Continue Reading
Time is running out on a new COVID-19 relief bill and local communities. As a local elected official, my job is to work with all sides to improve the lives of our constituents in Adams County. That means keeping my head down and working across the political divide to get stuff done. Unfor… Continue Reading
I’m urging Coloradans to please vote with compassion this election and vote no on Proposition 115. If passed, Prop 115 would put a ban on abortions later in pregnancy, with zero exceptions for a lethal fetal diagnosis or if a woman’s health is at risk. Abortion later in pregnancy only accoun… Continue Reading
If we want presidential candidates to value our Colorado voices, it’s important we vote "no" on Proposition 113. Prop 113 would give Colorado’s presidential electoral votes to whomever gets the most votes in the country, not based on whom we vote for in Colorado. To some, that may sound appe… Continue Reading
Recently we read that Proposition 114 to restore wolves to Colorado is "ballot box biology." Instead, it is direct democracy. Using direct democracy to demand restoration of the wolf is an audacious and yet eminently practical approach for establishing a self-sustaining population of the spe… Continue Reading
Education Moms, it is you who will determine the results of the November election throughout America. Is there a clear measure against which we can know the suitability of the Democratic Party or the Republican Party to receive our vote? Continue Reading
The implementation of SB 19-181 has shifted the mission of the state’s Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC)'s from promoting fossil fuel activity to a more reasonable goal of regulating this activity. Continue Reading
I can understand why some people view GOP senators as flip-flopping on the Supreme Court confirmation this year vs. 2016, but it’s important to explain why that’s not the case —why these two cases are different and why in both situations GOP senators, including Cory Gardner, are being consis… Continue Reading
On Tuesday the nation was told the verdict of the police officers who murdered Breonna Taylor. Breonna was an EMT, on her way to becoming a nurse, asleep in her bed, when she was murdered by police officers in Louisville Kentucky, in March during a botched raid on her apartment. A grand jury… Continue Reading
If I hear one more public service announcement telling me, “To help us recover from this pandemic, please social distance, wear a mask and wash your hands often,” I will throw up. Continue Reading
Last week, a large coalition of organizations across the state officially launched their campaign to defeat Proposition 115, a ballot measure that would ban abortion later in pregnancy in Colorado. In an interview with Colorado Politics, Giuliana Day, a proponent of this ban, called this mea… Continue Reading
On June 8, 2002 the Hayman Fire introduced the state of Colorado to a new era of political concern: wildfire seasons that threaten the life, lifestyle and livelihood of statewide residents. Continue Reading
Will the current "Never Trump" character assassination attempts ever cease? Continue Reading
I am much disturbed by Rep. Ken Buck’s display of ignorance by wearing a T-shirt that says, “Kill them all, let God sort them out.” This is gross, especially from one who never served. As a former paratrooper and Ranger who fought in combat in both Korea and Vietnam, I don’t condone such a T… Continue Reading
This message is for Alexandra Killey from the Gardner environmentalist ad ("Sen. Cory Gardner's 'Both Parties' ad shows supporters from just one party," Aug. 26). I presume you are teaching your organization's young people to endorse a candidate without even a peek at the candidate's voting record? Continue Reading
With the lemming-like drive of mostly "blue state" officials to inflict an all-mail-ballot-for-president regimen on our country, should we not be asking the following serious questions? Continue Reading
Terrapin Care Station Government Affairs Director Nico Pento recently penned an op-ed defending his industry in reply to my commentary about negative trends in youth marijuana use in Colorado ("IN RESPONSE | Marijuana industry acts responsibly," Aug. 17). Upon close scrutiny, there are two k… Continue Reading
For more than 50 years, Club 20 has hosted the Fall Conference and Candidate Debates attended by literally hundreds of voters from across western Colorado. A tradition on the western slope, the Club 20 steak fry and debates are considered the kickoff event to the political season. Continue Reading
Gov. Polis says we need to treat SB-181 like a cake, follow the recipe and leave it be ("Give pivotal new oil & gas law a chance to work," July 24). But you don't bake a cake when your house is on fire! If the cake sets your house on fire, take it out of the oven and throw it on the ground! Continue Reading
"It has been 15 months since SB-181 was signed into law, yet fracking still continues in force near the front steps of our homes, schools and throughout our communities." Continue Reading
We are living in a complicated time. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense pain for families, employers and our state’s economy. Continue Reading
Our governor has signed a new executive order — his 135th since March 11 — mandating the use of face masks statewide in most "indoor spaces" and when using taxis or mass transit. The main justification given for this new government restriction on personal freedom was the alleged "spike" in new cases of COVID-19 in Colorado over the past few weeks. Continue Reading
One of John Locke’s principles of a legitimate government is that political power must be exercised by known, permanent laws. That seems to be missing today. Instead of known permanent laws, we see laws changing in the heat of the moment as a result of capitulation to mob rule. Indeed we ar… Continue Reading
Oscar Wilde once said, “Give the man a mask and he will tell you the truth.” Continue Reading
