john hickenlooper
-

Colorado Republican Mark Baisley exits gubernatorial race, launches U.S. Senate campaign
—
by
Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley on Monday withdrew from the Colorado gubernatorial race and announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat John Hickenlooper. His departure leaves 20 Republicans running for the office held by term-limited Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. “Colorado needs a U.S. Senator who will fight relentlessly for our Constitution,…
-

State Supreme Court vacancy opens, year in review | COURT CRAWL
—
by
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics’ roundup of news from the third branch of government. The application period is now open for the first state Supreme Court vacancy in five years, plus Colorado Politics looked back on the significant judicial developments from 2025. At the Supreme Court • The Colorado Supreme Court halted the practice of…
-

Trump’s latest funding cuts dampen bipartisan dealmaking in 2026
—
by
Senate Republicans are optimistic about bipartisanship beyond healthcare next year, despite the looming midterm elections, but some of President Donald Trump’s latest actions could thwart the appetite for deal-making. The administration is dismantling a federal climate center and halting construction of offshore wind projects, drawing ire from Democrats who say the moves intentionally undercut clean…
-

Justice Melissa Hart to step down from Colorado Supreme Court
—
by
Justice Melissa Hart will step down from the Colorado Supreme Court effective Jan. 5, the Judicial Department announced unexpectedly on Friday. Hart has been on an unexplained and unusual leave of absence from the court since Oct. 28. She told Colorado Politics in November that the leave was for “family and personal health reasons” but provided no…
-

Crank challenger Jessica Killin racks up endorsements from all of Colorado’s congressional Democrats
—
by
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper has endorsed fellow Democrat Jessica Killin’s bid to oust Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, giving the first-time candidate a clean sweep of support from the state’s six-member Democratic delegation. Killin, an Army veteran and former chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is one of…
-

Small businesses drive the rural Colorado economy, but barriers keep growing | FISCAL ROCKIES
—
by
Editor’s Note: Once among the nation’s fastest-growing economies, Colorado today confronts mounting challenges that threaten its momentum. This series reveals how a state once defined by prosperity is navigating economic cliffs and ridges. We explore the impact that increased regulations, tariffs, shifting tax policies, the high cost of living and widening urban–rural divides have on businesses,…





