chris hansen
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State Sen. Chris Hansen ‘seriously considering’ running for Denver mayor
Colorado Sen. Chris Hansen may soon join the crowded field of candidates hoping to become the next mayor of Denver in 2023. Hansen, D-Denver, on Tuesday told Colorado Politics he is “strongly considering” entering the race, saying he’ll announce his official decision in the next few weeks. Mayor Michael Hancock is term limited, with his…
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Lawmakers roll out payback for unemployment insurance trust fund
Federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars will play a major role in paying back a $1 billion federal loan the state had to take out to cover unemployment insurance checks during the pandemic. Senate Bill 234, if signed into law, will take $600 million in pandemic relief funds to allow the state to pay back…
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Colorado lawmakers take preliminary action on PERA repayment
Despite concerns around gubernatorial opposition to making up a missed 2020 payment to the Public Employees Retirement Association, the House Finance Committee took first action this week on House Bill 1029. That measure would not only make up the $225 million payment due in 2020 that was suspended due to the recession, but also add…
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COVER STORY | Unsustainable? Colorado’s government keeps growing
Proponents of Colorado’s TABOR designed the constitutional amendment to curb government’s voracious appetite for more spending. But Colorado’s most recognizable tax law, which turns 30 this year, hasn’t stopped the state government from growing. Not even close. Consider this: lawmakers propose to spend $36.4 billion in the next fiscal year, an amount that funds 62,928…
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Colorado Democrats pick Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg as next Senate president
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Steve Fenberg of Boulder is poised to be the next Senate president after winning the support of his Democratic colleagues Wednesday. Fenberg’s selection means he will stand for the election by the entire Senate later this month. If he wins the overall election, the Boulder Democrat will succeed Senate President Leroy…
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Colorado lawmakers spar over voting rights resolution
Evoking apartheid-era voting restrictions and warning of a dire end for America’s democracy, Senate Democrats on Tuesday passed a resolution urging Congress to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation to counteract actions by several states they believe have made it more difficult for voters to cast a ballot. House Democrats replicated the Senate’s action soon after. …
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Coloradans face sharp spike in energy bills this winter
Millions of Coloradans face steep increases in energy bills this winter, with some having to pay as much as 50% more compared to last winter. The rate increases occur at a time when residents struggle to keep up with inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hammer the state and the rest of the country.…
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Stapleton’s office disputes Democrats’ claim of delay on rural Colo. bill
Ryan Parsell, deputy to State Treasurer Walker Stapleton, went before a Colorado legislative committee Monday to swat down a characterization that Stapleton’s office delayed issuing lease-purchase certificates for investors, a wonky assertion with campaign-season undertones. Stapleton is the Republican candidate for governor. Democratic Reps. Daneya Esgar of Pueblo and Chris Hansen of Denver, members of…
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Democrats call out Stapleton on money for roads, rural Colorado
Democrats in the Colorado House of Representatives are accusing State Treasurer Walker Stapleton of dragging his feet on paperwork to greenlight millions of dollars for transportation and rural Colorado. Stapleton also is the Republican nominee for governor. The legislature passed Senate Bill 267 in 2017 to raise $1.8 billion over the next 20 years by…
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Rep. Chris Hansen takes Colorado’s net neutrality debate national
State Rep. Chris Hansen, a Democrat from Denver, has been making the case for Colorado to do what it can to protect consumers as the Trump administration rolls back net neutrality rules. Thursday he made the case in Washington via an op-ed in The Hill newspaper. Hansen responded to a piece last Monday in the…