matt gray
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Independent slate of legislative candidates outraises Democrats, Republicans combined
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The unaffiliated candidates for Colorado’s legislature endorsed by Unite Colorado and running under the national organization’s banner collected more in campaign contributions than their Republican and Democratic opponents combined during the most recent fundraising period – in most cases by wide margins. Between Jan. 1 and May 2, the five independent House and Senate candidates…
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Colo. House committee passes bill to close books on minors’ autopsy reports
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Legislation to close the public record on minors’ autopsy reports passed the Colorado House Thursday afternoon after a debate about the pain of grieving families and holding accountable the system that is supposed to protect children and investigate their deaths. Senate Bill 223 would automatically seal the public record of those younger than 18, except…
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Strike 4 for Colorado paid family leave measure
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Over the last five years, Colorado lawmakers have tried four times to pass a bill creating a system for providing paid leave for workers taking time off to tend to family needs. And now, for the fourth time, they have failed in the attempt. The Denver Business Journal’s Ed Sealover reports that House Bill 1001…
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Colorado House gives preliminary OK to a pension fix
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On the night of the 111th day of the 120-day legislative session, the Colorado House finally voted on what was hailed as one of the most important bills before the General Assembly this year, a fix to the underfunded state pension plan that has the potential to collapse the state’s credit rating. Senate Bill 200 was…
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Colorado bill would make minors’ autopsy reports closed records
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A bill that easily passed the Colorado Senate and awaits a hearing in the House would prevent the press and other outside watchdogs from figuring out why children died. Senate Bill 223 would automatically seal autopsy reports for minors, except for families, government-sanctioned review boards, organ donation groups and civil or criminal lawyers with a…
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Colorado could replace Columbus Day with Election Day as a holiday
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The Colorado General Assembly’s annual bill to cancel the state’s observance of Columbus Day took on a twist on the House floor Tuesday. House Bill 1231 was amended by its sponsor, Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, to replace it with Election Day as one of state government’s 10 official days off each year. Opponents contend…
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Sexual harassment cases taking a toll on lawmakers, not just the accused
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DENVER – As the Colorado Senate debated the fate of Sen. Randy Baumgardner over sexual harassment charges in a rare evening session, Sen. Lucia Guzman was thinking of sunrise on Good Friday, a time of atonement and healing. The resolution to expel Baumgardner failed in a 17-17 tie after a four-hour hearing. In speech after speech,…
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Business booster Thea Chase launches unaffiliated bid for open House District 54 seat
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Palisade Town Trustee Thea Chase announced Monday she’s running as an unaffiliated candidate for the House District 54 seat represented by Mesa County Republican Yeulin Willett, who isn’t seeking reelection. She’ll have the backing of Unite Colorado, formerly known as the Centrist Project, an organization that’s working to elect independent lawmakers. Chase, the director of the…
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Reaction to expulsion of now-former Rep. Steve Lebsock includes tears, end of fears
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Rep. Faith Winter of Westminster was the first of at least five women to come forward and accuse former Rep. Steve Lebsock of Thornton of sexual harassment. Friday, she participated with, and listened to, fellow House members as they debated for seven hours on whether to expel Lebsock. Friday marked the final chapter in a…
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Colorado House expels Rep. Steve Lebsock, 52-9
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The Colorado House voted to expel Rep. Steve Lebsock, a Democrat from Thornton, Friday, the first such move since a member was found to take a bribe on a floor of the chamber in 1915. Lebsock left the Capitol as soon as the vote was taken without speaking to the press. Within an hour before…