john cooke
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Q&A with Sen. John Cooke | Minority leader on getting things done and forging friendships
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After nearly eight years as a Colorado state senator, John Cooke is leaving elected office with no plans of returning. Cooke concluded his last legislative session in May, facing an impending term limit this January. Since entering the Senate in 2015, the Greeley Republican served as majority whip, assistant minority leader and was promoted to…
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2022 SESSION: Quirkiest Moments
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The 2022 session did not lack for bizarre moments – thanks to quirky behavior by lawmakers and others. The most delicious – or stomach-turning – moment, depending on your taste: The Rocky Mountain oyster-eating contest, part of the Colorado Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Day, occurred on April 21. For Easterners or other Colorado newbies, Rocky Mountain oyster is what…
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Colorado Senate panel approves sweeping fentanyl bill on narrow vote
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A Senate panel on Thursday evening narrowly approved what policymakers hope is a robust response to Colorado’s spiraling fentanyl crisis. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted, 3-2, to advance House Bill 1326, after reviewing 19 amendments for several hours. The measure is the General Assembly’s sweeping attempt to confront fatal overdoses, which have surged nationwide over…
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Colorado House approves bill that tightens penalties for low-level possession, distribution of fentanyl
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The Colorado House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a bill Friday evening to address the state’s growing fentanyl crisis following another hours-long debate that focused on whether possessing the substance in any amount or form should be a felony. For now, the balance of Colorado’s House members said no. After five hours of debate,…
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House Appropriations Committee approves fentanyl bill
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Friday’s House Appropriations Committee hearing on House Bill 1326 resulted in several substantial changes to the measure, but not the big one that could surface later today – making all possession of fentanyl a felony. That would be a concession to Gov. Jared Polis, who’s advocated for felony charges on any level of possession, but it’s a…
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Polis, bipartisan group of advocates unveil proposal to confront fentanyl at Colorado Capitol
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In a rare bipartisan press conference in the 2022 session, Gov. Jared Polis, legislators, families who have lost loved ones and district attorneys on Thursday announced a comprehensive bill to confront the state’s burgeoning fentanyl crisis, arguing its passage would make streets and homes safer. The bill will focus on both heightened penalties for fentanyl…
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Bipartisan proposal would provide $30.5 million in grants for law enforcement
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A bipartisan pair of lawmakers in the state Senate are seeking to provide $30.5 million to Colorado law enforcement over the next two years through new grant programs. The grant programs – which would fund law enforcement training, staffing and resources – intend to increase community safety and public trust in law enforcement, said bill…
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Kulmann tops $150K in 4th quarter fundraising, lands endorsement from state Sen. John Cooke
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Republican congressional candidate Jan Kulmann, the mayor of Thornton and one of six GOP hopefuls in Colorado’s new 8th District, plans to report raising more than $150,000 in a matter of weeks during the just-completed fourth quarter, her campaign said Tuesday. Kulmann received an endorsement at the same time from state Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley,…
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With new state House and Senate maps, let the games begin
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The wait is over. And the scramble has begun. Now that the Colorado Supreme Court has approved new state House and Senate maps, candidates are crafting designs to run for more competitive seats that also appear to shrink the influence of rural communities at the state Capitol. The new maps will reshape Colorado’s political landscape, and,…
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2019 CAPITOL PREVIEW | Legislative leaders talk new session at Denver chamber event
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Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, might have said it best: “We don’t know yet.” That’s what to expect from the 2019 Colorado legislative session, particularly when it comes to what Gov.-elect Jared Polis will do about many issues facing Coloradans that didn’t emerge on the campaign trail. But…
