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Douglas, El Paso counties name Gov. Polis as defendant in ‘sanctuary state’ suit
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Douglas, El Paso counties name Gov. Polis as defendant in ‘sanctuary state’ suit

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Elected commissioners and sheriffs in two central Colorado counties announced today they are suing Gov. Jared Polis and the State of Colorado related to Democrat-supported sanctuary state policies, which law enforcement has complained leaves it powerless to address illegal immigration. “There is an illegal immigration crisis in America,” Douglas County Commissioner George Teal said in a statement. “We have been proactive, taking steps to mitigate the crisis here in Douglas County. What has been missing is the ability of our local law enforcement agencies to work with immigration officials. This is what we seek to solve through this legal action.” In fact, Douglas County claims it is the seventh step taken "to protect health and safety ami...
TAX DAY: Colorado tax experts busy this season due to state TABOR refund
CBS 11 KKTV, State

TAX DAY: Colorado tax experts busy this season due to state TABOR refund

By Kasia Kerridge | CBS 11 Colorado Springs Tax Day marks the last day to file your taxes, or you will need to get an extension. The IRS is estimating 19 million taxpayers will file for an automatic six-month extension. Although an extension grants extra time to file, the IRS says it does not extend the obligation to pay. “There’s two penalties you can face if you owe the IRS money by the deadline. The first is the failure the file penalty, and that one is 5% of the unpaid taxes. That one is very severe, and you can avoid that one by filing an extension. The second one is a failure to pay penalty. That one is .5% of the unpaid taxes,” said David Fruh of Jackson Hewitt Tax Services in Colorado Springs. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS 11 COLORADO SPRINGS
Bill banning so-called ‘assault weapons’ passed in House, headed to Senate
coloradopolitics.com, State

Bill banning so-called ‘assault weapons’ passed in House, headed to Senate

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics The proposal to ban so-called "assault weapons" is now on its way to the Colorado Senate after House legislators passed the measure during a rare legislation session on Sunday. The measure is expected to be assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  A majority of Democrats approved House Bill 1292 on a 35-27 vote, with nine Democrats voting against. The vote followed a debate of more than three hours. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
‘We must win the special election,’ Lopez tells Kit Carson Republicans, while supporting primary slate
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We must win the special election,’ Lopez tells Kit Carson Republicans, while supporting primary slate

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice BURLINGTON -- Greg Lopez is embracing the role some have called a placeholder. "You have some great Republican candidates looking to be your Congressman," Lopez told Kit Carson Republicans gathered here Friday. "This special election is just about who will finish [ex-Rep.] Ken Buck's term." Lopez is hoping to be selected to do just that in Colorado's 4th District. He must first defeat Democrat Trisha Calvarese and Libertarian Hannah Goodman. In Colorado's most red-leaning district, it does not figure to be a tall order for a Republican to be awarded the seat, even if just for six months. "Apparently, my [Democratic] opponent is facing a challenge they don't qualify," Lopez said. "Now, this challenge is coming from their own party." ...
Colorado Wetlands: Lawmakers clash as they seek state protections
coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Wetlands: Lawmakers clash as they seek state protections

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics How Colorado protects wetlands depends on two perspectives: Is it a water quality issue or a land management issue? Even assuming it's a little of both, either answer leads to different approaches, each to be overseen by a different agency. And either path offers implications for construction, permitting and management of habitats.  This month, lawmakers looked at the dueling approaches contained in two measures seeking to implement a way for the state to manage "dredge and fill discharge" permits tied to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that redefined how a body of water can be protected under the Environmental Protection Agency's "Waters of the United States" rule. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Sen. Bob Gardner fails to qualify for ballot, he announces in letter to supporters
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Sen. Bob Gardner fails to qualify for ballot, he announces in letter to supporters

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice State Sen. Bob Gardner has not qualified to appear on the Republican Party's 5th District primary ballot for Congress, ending his campaign. He announced in an email Saturday morning that signatures needed for a successful petition onto the ballot were not in excess of the 1,500 threshold needed, after the Secretary of State's review. "Just as we were preparing for an upcoming debate this week, we received the letter from the Secretary of State notifying us that we would not be on the ballot," Gardner wrote to supporters. "As disappointed as I am, I am not discouraged. From the day we announced, we have been gratified and encouraged by the support and contributions of so many good people who believe in our platform and our message of stan...
Sen. Rod Pelton warns Kit Carson Republicans of extreme gun bills, appointments
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Sen. Rod Pelton warns Kit Carson Republicans of extreme gun bills, appointments

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice BURLINGTON -- State Sen. Rod Pelton, R-Cheyenne, warned Kit Carson County Republicans gathered here Friday that they might stay on the lookout for a rash of bills coming through the upper chamber before the state's legislative session is complete. "When we started on Monday, we still had 407 bills to go through in the Senate," he said. Specifically, he made mention of House Bill 24-1292, which some have called the state's "assault weapons ban." Taylor Rhodes, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, has pointed out the bill would ban the commonly-owned Glock pistol he carries concealed and has threatened litigation against the state "as soon as the ink is dry on the law." The bill by Democrat Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernan...
Ballot measure in Colorado would bar ‘placeholders’ from immediately seeking office
coloradopolitics.com, State

Ballot measure in Colorado would bar ‘placeholders’ from immediately seeking office

By Marianne Goodland | The Gazette A state legislator in Colorado is pushing a resolution to go to the ballot  that would bar an individual who is appointed to a legislative seat via the vacancy process from running for that position in the next election.     Assuming the measure gets on the ballot and voters approve it, the effect would be to prohibit somebody who secures the vacancy appointment after a vote of party insiders from seeking that legislative seat for the next term, effectively making that person a "placeholder."      State Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch said his resolution would tackle the perception of a small group of insiders picking policymakers that decide major issues for the entire state.  READ THE FU...
Ban of so-called ‘assault weapons’ receives initial OK from Colorado Democrats
coloradopolitics.com, State

Ban of so-called ‘assault weapons’ receives initial OK from Colorado Democrats

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics House Democrats on Friday advanced a proposal to ban a long list of "assault" weapons in Colorado following a debate that lasted several hours. The measure still needs the full vote of the House, which could happen Sunday. Its fate in the Senate remains uncertain.     Sponsored by Reps. Tim Hernandez and Elisabeth Epps, House Bill 1292 would prohibit 13 types of "assault" weapons, along with adding a definition of "assault weapons" into state law. Supporters argued that the so-called "assault weapons" have no place in society, and that Colorado cannot wait for Congress to enact a federal ban. Critics countered that the bill would ban most guns in Colorado — and it is, therefore, unconstitutional.  READ THE FUL...
In open range Colorado, brand inspectors key in cattle shooting case
State, thefencepost.com

In open range Colorado, brand inspectors key in cattle shooting case

By Rachel Gabel  | The Fence Post When brand inspectors Jesse Phillips and Brenna BeGeer arrived to a property in Larimer County, Colorado, seven head of cattle lay dead and another was injured and needed to be destroyed. Baby calves were orphaned, bred cows were killed, and a bull was shot and killed. They worked to identify ownership of the cattle and contact the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. They also assisted in determining the value of the cattle killed. According to law enforcement reports, Michael Hester was taken into custody on April 1, 2024, after they responded to a call in a rural neighborhood west of Fort Collins. Jordan Yarber runs his cowherd on his family ranch right alongside the herd belonging to his grandmother, Dixie Gibbens, who still owns the family ranch....