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2019 Colorado legislature

House Education Committee Chair Barbara McLachlan speaks about the benefits of full-day kindergarten with state Rep. Jim Wilson at a small rally for advocates in the Colorado State Capitol.

Colorado lawmakers made big investments in public education — but few major policy changes

As Colorado’s 2019 legislative session came to a close, Gov. Jared Polis strode into a conference room packed with reporters to talk about his...

The Indy 500: Our guys at the Capitol

A kind of giddiness overcomes reporters in the last hours of a state legislative session. It’s an end-is-near phenomenon, the same kind of anticipation...
"Smoking," by Astrid Kopp, via Flickr: Creative Commons

Colorado Senate rejects nicotine tax that would have boosted preschool spending

A proposed nicotine tax backed by Gov. Jared Polis was rejected by the Colorado Senate Thursday night. The proposal would have allowed Colorado to double...

Live blog: Final day of Colorado’s legislative session News and insights from around...

The Colorado State Capitol hasn't seen a week like this in a long time, and it may be a long time before it does...
Dudley Brown, executive director for Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, announced a lawsuit to overturn Colorado's red flag law on May 2, 2019. (Photo by John Herrick)

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners plans lawsuit, backs recall efforts, over red-flag law The conservative...

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, a conservative pro-gun group, and Republican lawmakers are challenging Colorado’s red-flag law in Denver District Court, alleging Democrats failed to...
A school bus in Colorado by Pravesvuth Uparanukraw via Flickr: Creative Commons

With loan forgiveness and stipends, Colorado lawmakers hope to lure teachers to rural districts

The downside of living in Campo is that it’s 70 miles to Walmart and 20 miles to the nearest grocery store. The upside is...
Democratic Senate President Leroy Garcia, left, and GOP Minority Leader Chris Holbert chat on Thursday, May 2 — the second-to-last day of the 2019 legislative session. (Photo by Alex Burness)

GOP hardball in Colorado Statehouse has Dems vowing to get tough — and organized...

It’s a shame, Colorado Republican lawmakers are saying this week, that Democrats have been so unwilling to work across the aisle this legislative session. Had...
Sunset in Durango as fires burn to the west on Aug. 24, 2018. (Photo by John Herrick)

Colorado Dem lawmakers tackle climate change without a single GOP backer Republican state lawmakers...

A climate change bill that would gradually reduce Colorado’s carbon emissions over the next 30 years is headed to the governor’s desk for approval...
People vaping outside the Colorado Capitol on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 as lawmakers debate a bill that would increase taxes on nicotine products to help expand state-funded preschool programs. (Photo by Alex Burness)

Nicotine taxes for preschool, vaccine exemptions draw crowds to Colorado Capitol in waning days

As the clock winds down on the 2019 legislative session, two groups packed the Capitol Wednesday afternoon for a final say on two controversial...
Sports betting image by Beating Betting via Flickr:Creative Commons

Guest Post: Say no to the Colorado legislature’s gimmick to gamble with our state’s...

Do you feel like gambling with our state’s water and rivers? The Colorado  legislature does, and it’s a gamble we shouldn’t take. In these last...
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