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Gov. Polis proposes shielding funding for major water programs as state’s $1 billion deficit looms
State, The Colorado Sun

Gov. Polis proposes shielding funding for major water programs as state’s $1 billion deficit looms

By Jerd Smith | The Colorado Sun Colorado’s largest water agency may be shielded from significant funding cuts as the state addresses its financial woes, under the 2025-26  budget proposed by Gov. Jared Polis. The Colorado Water Conservation Board would see a $6.9 million increase in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, rising from $98.1 million in revenue this year to $105.1 million, according to the governor’s office. But in 2026, funding would drop to $97.6 million due to a decline in severance tax revenue, which is derived in part from oil and gas production and is a key part of the CWCB’s funding. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
Rep. Boebert hawks for fiscal efficiency as she says Washington bureaucrats ‘spend, spend, spend’
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Boebert hawks for fiscal efficiency as she says Washington bureaucrats ‘spend, spend, spend’

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Despite ever-rising inflationary pricing on everything from milk to meat, Americans are tightening their belts and living within a family budget. Washington should do the same, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert said during a Wednesday evening appearance on "Stinchfield Tonight". President Joe Biden's self-named "Bidenomic" economy pushed many Americans to the brink, she says, with "record inflation" that has "decimated our bank and retirement accounts" and resulted in increases to such commodities as gasoline, utilities and groceries, "making it so hard for Americans to live," Boebert complained. https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1864490165391028504 The President had recently asked Congress for another $24 billion in aid for Ukraine, which wo...
Potential gubernatorial candidates suggest new approaches to transportation
State, The Sum & Substance

Potential gubernatorial candidates suggest new approaches to transportation

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance Two of Colorado’s leading potential gubernatorial candidates suggested Wednesday that the state should focus more attention on maintaining and upgrading highway infrastructure, signaling a potential shift could be coming in transportation policy. Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser and Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, who are both rumored to be eying runs to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in 2026, spoke at a Move Colorado event on what’s next for transportation in the state. Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse sent a video to the event because Congress remains in session, while Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a fourth rumored candidate, had to miss the event because of a pressing issue, organizers said. ...
Colorado AG opens investigation into owners of apartments overrun by Venezuelan gang
denvergazette.com, State

Colorado AG opens investigation into owners of apartments overrun by Venezuelan gang

By Nicole C. Brambila | Denver Gazette The Colorado Attorney General’s office is investigating the business practices of the Aurora apartment complex owners at the center of a political storm arising from illegal immigration and the tentacles of a Venezuelan prison gang in the metro area. Under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, Assistant Attorney General Adam Rice issued a subpoena to the owners of CBZ Management to produce a myriad of records related to its properties. The demand included documents and information related to the company’s employees and leases, as well as property maintenance and the condition of units. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Colorado senator barred from having state-paid aides after repeated complaints from staffers
State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado senator barred from having state-paid aides after repeated complaints from staffers

By Jesse Paul | The Colorado Sun Colorado Senate leaders Tuesday barred a Democratic state lawmaker from having state-paid aides after two of her most recent staffers filed a workplace misconduct complaint claiming she used one of them to do chores like yard work and bartend at a party at her home. The complaint marks the second time in the past year state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis of Longmont has been accused of mistreating her legislative aides. “This is now clearly a recurring issue,” outgoing Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, said in a letter to Jaquez Lewis. “In good conscience we cannot support placing an aide in your office while this behavior and complaints continue.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
Motorist tire chain laws expand in the western area of Colorado
KJCT-TV ABC 8, State

Motorist tire chain laws expand in the western area of Colorado

By Jeffrey Hinkle | KJCT-TV ABC 8 From September 1 to May 31, all commercial drivers around Colorado highways are required to carry chains. From the Utah border, all the way up until you reach Morrison right outside of Denver, commercial truck drivers must carry chains in case of snow. “That law in the past, started at the mountain passes and this year we’ve expanded that to include further western areas on some highways to include I-70 to the Utah border right here behind me,” said Captain Matt Ozanic from the Colorado State Patrol. “The reason for these changes is quite simple. We want to make sure that our professional drivers have access to the resources they need. Before they get to those mountain. Passes and before they potentially get stuck without the chains at that point....
‘There’s nothing affirming or inclusive about lying to children’: Gays Against Groomers head advocates at U.S. Supreme Court 
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘There’s nothing affirming or inclusive about lying to children’: Gays Against Groomers head advocates at U.S. Supreme Court 

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice “I am a real life gay man,” said Dr. Rich Guggenheim, a Coloradan and director of legislation for Gays Against Groomers as he spoke Wednesday on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court advocating for children’s rights.  Guggenheim has lobbied and testified against bills he believes harm children. Guggenheim's advocacy includes leading ballot initiatives to protect girls' sports and parental rights. He also sued Colorado legislators in federal court for violating 1st Amendment rights. On the Supreme Court steps, Guggenheim condemned the irreversible medical treatments of children. "We as an organization oppose the indoctrination, sexualization and the mutilation of children under the guise of LGBTQ+ rights," he stated. ...
Drive less, bike more? Polis’ transportation vision faces public backlash in one city
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Drive less, bike more? Polis’ transportation vision faces public backlash in one city

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Gov. Jared Polis' Administration plans to build 3,540 miles of new bicycle lanes, an 81% increase from the current reality. This goal is one of many outlined in his Administration’s “Colorado Transportation Vision 2035.” The plan is aimed to play a role in helping meet the state’s climate goals. An underlying agenda, or one sub-goal, is explicitly stated in the plan: “Doubling Colorado’s non-auto mode share from today’s level of 9.6% to 19.2% by 2035.” But what does this administrative jargon mean exactly? No speculation is needed. The answer is provided in the plan. “This means that the percentage of trips where people choose to take transit, walk, bike or roll (instead of driving alone) would slightly more than doubl...
Colorado GOP petitioning Trump to ‘revoke and rescind illegal pardon’
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado GOP petitioning Trump to ‘revoke and rescind illegal pardon’

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The Colorado Republican Party is petitioning President-elect Donald J. Trump to revoke and rescind the pardon of Hunter Biden, issued Sunday by his father, President Joe Biden. In a link shared through Twitter on the party's official account, Republicans are asked to sign the petition requesting Trump "revoke and rescind the portions of this pardon that are illegal and unconstitutional after he is sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025." The webpage includes an image of the pardon with Joe Biden's signature. "Joe Biden issued a far sweeping and, quite frankly, illegal pardon for his criminal son Hunter Biden," the webpage begins. "This is not only a clear and corrupt conflict of interest that highlights the double standards of radical Democrats and the...
‘Is it January yet?,’ new Colorado House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost asks
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘Is it January yet?,’ new Colorado House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost asks

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice In four words, Colorado House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost may have summed up his anticipation toward a new leadership role and the sentiment for Republicans in Colorado and throughout America. "Is it January yet???," the District 64 member of the Colorado House of Representatives wrote Monday on Twitter/X, as he opined on the Hunter Biden pardon in Washington. The reference to January, of course, alludes to the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and the Colorado Republicans having added three seats in the state House. "The morally bankrupt Democrats continue to fizzle into the darkness and show no boundaries of their hypocrisy and blatant disregard for the crimes/criminals that they all support, the victims left behind, and the over...