lois court

Firestone tragedy unlikely to shake up Capitol oil and gas politics

May 9, 2017

—

by

John Tomasic

A lot has changed in the wake of the oil and gas industry-linked explosion at the end of April in Firestone that killed two. Anadarko Petroleum shut down 3,000 wells. Matt Lepore, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission director, spoke about conducting “an ongoing conversation about new safety measures” of one kind or another. Gov.…
Construction defects law heads to the governor, but will Colorado builders deliver on affordable condos?

May 5, 2017

—

by

Joey Bunch

The long fight is over to slow down lawsuits over construction defects in Colorado, which lawmakers were told is the main reason builders aren’t interested in providing affordable condos in an expensive market. Legislators have argued for four sessions over whether the cost of insurance and litigation are really the roadblock, or whether builders are trying…
Kennedy bill prods counties to fill vacant surveyor positions, ‘repair the fabric of America’

May 4, 2017

—

by

Ernest Luning

A couple of weeks after the House voted unanimously to concur with a lone Senate amendment, changing the word “shall” to “may,” the bill to clarify and update state law concerning county surveyors had landed on the governor’s desk. After welcoming the bill’s sponsors and a handful of stakeholders, along with several Capitol visitors who…
Denver Chamber’s Kelly Brough deplores death of transportation funding referendum

Apr 26, 2017

—

by

Ernest Luning

Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, lamented the demise late Tuesday of bipartisan legislation that would have asked Colorado voters for a sales-tax increase to fund transportation needs, saying that lawmakers’ failure to fund infrastructure is harming the state’s economy. “We know that Colorado needs a statewide funding source…
State Senate declares May motorcycle safety month with personal, cautionary two-wheel tales

Apr 26, 2017

—

by

John Tomasic

State Sen. John Kafalas, the diminutive Democrat from Fort Collins, drew a word-picture of himself climbing onto a Harley Davidson. “I know it’s hard t believe, but I’ve ridden Harleys, and as long as they’re low riders, I can touch the ground and hold the bike up,” he said, drawing howls from the chamber. “Back…
Legislative leaders, bill’s sponsors lament demise of transportation funding referendum

Apr 25, 2017

—

by

Ernest Luning

The legislative leaders who opened this year’s session with calls to come together to craft a transportation funding solution expressed disappointment Tuesday evening after three Republican senators slammed the brakes in committee on legislation that would have asked voters to raise the sales tax to pay for roads and transit. But both Senate President Kevin…
Court: No message is worth a life, new texting-while-driving legislation

Apr 10, 2017

—

by

Lois Court

We all try to multitask in the modern world, but when it comes to texting while driving, no message is worth a life. Texting while driving kills people in Colorado. In January of this year, Brian and Jacquie Lehner, a couple, died while on their motorcycle when struck by a woman who was drunk and…
In surprise turn, Senate ‘kill committee’ green lights gay-rights harassment bill

Apr 6, 2017

—

by

John Tomasic

A state Senate committee packed with a conservative Republican-majority voted unanimously on Wednesday to advance a bill that would stiffen penalties for those who harass Coloradans for being gay or disabled. Gay rights supporters reacted with a jolt after the vote. They had braced for yet another defeat in the infamously hardline State Affairs “kill”…
Governor declares Bagel Deli Day to honor macher in Denver’s Jewish community

Apr 3, 2017

—

by

JOEY BUNCH

Saturday was Bagel Deli Day in Colorado, honoring the restaurant’s 50 years as a hub of Denver’s Jewish community, a people who helped shape the identity of the city and the state. It is an institution so important to Colorado that Gov. John Hickenlooper issued a proclamation that was delivered to the eatery Saturday morning by…
Coffman on more veterans’ woes, time changes of death, the big budget shortfall and more

Mar 20, 2017

—

by

Jared Wright

March 20, 2017 Good morning and Happy Monday. Whether we like it or not, those Mondays keep on a comin’. Thank you sir, may I have another! Read on for this week’s rundown of intel straight from Colorado’s political pipeline … COLORADO KUMBAYA: The Neil Gorsuch Support Ticker (confirmation hearings begin this week): Steve Farber of…