jim wilson

Colorado bag tax for affordable housing gets sacked in House committee

Jan 31, 2018

—

by

JOEY BUNCH

A ballot question to ask voters to approve a 25-cent tax on plastic bags proposed by Colorado Democrats was killed in a Democrat-led committee Wednesday. Rep. Paul Rosenthal’s bill would have steered the proceeds into affordable housing initiatives, while reducing the number of plastic bags used in the state, which presumably is good for the…
Capitol M: Behind the Scenes at the Colorado General Assembly 1/26/18

Jan 27, 2018

—

by

Marianne Goodl

This week’s face in the crowd: literally…as I was watching the junior livestock auction at last week’s National Western Stock Show, I noticed a familiar face bidding on one of the champion lambs. It was former Democratic Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll of Denver. When I pointed out (via Twitter) that I’d seen him raise…
Capitol M – Behind the Scenes at the Colorado General Assembly 1/19/18

Jan 22, 2018

—

by

Marianne Goodl

BRRR It was so cold that….If you had to pick the most miserable-looking person at Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Marade, the winner, hands down, would be Gov. John Hickenlooper. (I would definitely make the top 10 because I fell on the ice and have bruises all over to prove it.) Not because he didn’t…
From Under Colorado’s Gold Dome: General Assembly, week one

Jan 15, 2018

—

by

Marianne Goodl

Here’s some of the notables and quotables from the first week of the 2018 Colorado General Assembly. ICYMI: Last October, Gov. John Hickenlooper called lawmakers back to the state Capitol for what was eventually a two-day session intended to fix a drafting error in Senate Bill 17-267. You do remember that, right? Apparently, memories are…
Legislators make drones a firefighting tool, but Routt County gawker makes one a risk

Sep 5, 2017

—

by

JOEY BUNCH

Just when drones were going legit as a tool of public safety, a rubbernecker reminds folks why the jury is still out on which side of the public safety debate the tiny aircraft hover. Last weekend regular-sized helicopters battling a 800-acre Big Red Park wildfire in northern Routt County were grounded because of an unidentified…
After hours of pained testimony, homeless ‘right to rest’ bill fails on bipartisan vote

Apr 20, 2017

—

by

John Tomasic

State House Democrats joined Republicans late Wednesday night to vote down a bill that has made waves in various versions the last three years for championing the civil rights of the state’s homeless population. After nearly six hours of emotional testimony, the “Right to Rest Act,” House Bill 1314, sponsored by state Democratic Reps. Joe…
Insights: School discipline creates a Colorado House divided

Mar 19, 2017

—

by

JOEY BUNCH

My favorite teacher had me assaulted, and I learned that from the Colorado legislature last week. At least science teacher Terry Niblett didn’t take it lightly. Through the glass of a locked high school science lab, he waved six boys to the office of vice principal Barnett Wilson, a burly man in his 50s who was a known bruiser with a wooden…
Wilson discusses ‘ground-up’ education initiative in House GOP’s video update

Feb 18, 2017

—

by

Ernest Luning

Although it starts with a splash of levity, the House Republican caucus’s video update, posted on Friday, quickly moves onto more serious ground. “This is Jim Wilson from Salida, Colorado,” says state Rep. Yuelin Willett, R-Grand Junction, as his serious gaze dissolves into a grin and an imposing figure enters the frame, shooing away the…
Advocates, lawmakers celebrate value, impact of historic preservation in Colorado

Feb 8, 2017

—

by

Ernest Luning

“We know historic preservation has a positive economic impact to our state,” Steve Turner, the state historic preservation officer and executive director of History Colorado, told the several hundred preservation experts, community leaders and property owners gathered on Friday, Feb. 3, at the Colorado Convention Center for the Saving Places Conference. Then, pointing to preservation…
At the Capitol, looking back to heartfelt MLK Day speeches as guard against discord

Jan 21, 2017

—

by

John Tomasic

What do fine speeches filled with lofty sentiment matter? Maybe a lot. The work-week ended Friday with the inauguration of Donald Trump. It began Monday with the celebration of Martin Luther King Day. It was a week of mixed national feelings, a week of victorious jubilation and bitter protest demonstration. On Tuesday, state House members…