barbara mclachlan
-
‘I was different and they didn’t want that’: Judge’s approach collides with voters’ expectations of justice | COVER STORY
—
by
In January 2021, La Plata County Court Judge Anne K. Woods presided over an emotionally-fraught sentencing hearing: Preston Edward Pitcher, a church leader, pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor offenses after sexually abusing young adults whom he groomed as children. Despite the option to impose jail time, Woods opted against incarcerating Pitcher for 60 days and…
-
Full-day kindergarten funding clears Colorado House, on to the Senate
—
by
A bill that would fund full-day kindergarten in Colorado is headed to the state Senate. The House voted 53-11 on Tuesday to send the bill on to its next destination. It cleared the House Appropriations Committee on Friday. House Bill 1262 has garnered more support during the 2019 session than any previous effort, as Republican…
-
ENDORSEMENT WATCH | EMILY’s List gets behind Democratic legislative candidates
—
by
EMILY’s List, a national group that backs pro-abortion-rights Democratic women candidates, has endorsed 14 Colorado legislative candidates, including a half dozen running for seats that could determine which party has the majority in the state Senate. The group’s president, Stephanie Schriock, said the group’s picks “have the backbones and experience to fight for Colorado’s women…
-
Independent slate of legislative candidates outraises Democrats, Republicans combined
—
by
The unaffiliated candidates for Colorado’s legislature endorsed by Unite Colorado and running under the national organization’s banner collected more in campaign contributions than their Republican and Democratic opponents combined during the most recent fundraising period – in most cases by wide margins. Between Jan. 1 and May 2, the five independent House and Senate candidates…
-
ENDORSEMENT WATCH: Lundberg backs Watson in GOP treasurer’s race
—
by
The recent slew of endorsements has slowed a bit recently, perhaps because the Legislature’s waning days have drawn the focus of Colorado’s political world, perhaps because few bigwigs remain who have not bestowed their blessings during this long political season. Still, some candidates learned in the last week that they won the support of notables,…
-
Rural teacher shortage bill battles Colo. Senate snag
—
by
A compromise hammered out Monday morning between Colorado’s House and Senate means a bill – intended to help resolve rural teacher shortages – that almost made it to the governor’s desk has another shot. Senate Bill 85 won final approval for House amendments on a 31-3 vote on April 27. But Senate President Pro Tem Jerry Sonnenberg…
-
Bill to expand Colorado rural teacher program is in trouble
—
by
Rural school advocates and Democratic lawmakers Monday are hopping mad about a last-minute procedural move that’s keeping a bill intended to address rural educator shortages and that the Senate approved on Friday from going to the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 85 would expand a rural teacher program set up through 2016 legislation that was sponsored…
-
Farm and ranch internships pass Colorado Senate, with taxpayers pitching in on pay
—
by
A bipartisan bill passed the Colorado Senate Tuesday, and if the House agrees the state could pick up half the paycheck of farm and ranch interns. The offer is limited. If the bill can make it out of the House and get the governor’s signature by May 8, it would give the Department of Agriculture…
-
Hickenlooper signs rural broadband bills into law
—
by
With the stroke of a pen – or maybe 20 strokes from 20 pens – Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday signed into law three bills that could change rural broadband in Colorado as well as the economic future of rural communities that depend on it. In a series of bill signings, Hickenlooper, surrounded by lawmakers,…
