Author: By George Brauchler

George Brauchler Transparency in government is an absolute prerequisite to accountability, especially for prosecutors who wield unmatched discretionary powers during Colorado’s undeniable crime tsunami. Last week, a handful of district attorneys’ offices took a first, well-intentioned — albeit inconsistent — baby step toward that transparency. Colorado’s monopoly on state prosecutorial power is divided among 22 judicial districts.…

George Brauchler Last Friday, hope for change in the pursuit of criminal justice and public safety came from an unexpected corner of a Denver courtroom. For each of the past 10 years, I have described our legislature as the most offender-friendly in Colorado’s history, and each year, the General Assembly has proven me right. In…

George Brauchler The assault on the rule of law is accelerating in Colorado and America. A growing number of elected leaders use the words “rule of law” as the punchline to a political speech. Far fewer practice the principle. The oath taken by law enforcement executives is not a promise to uphold and defend the…

George Brauchler At the intersection of politics and the Rule of Law lies injustice. That injustice discredits our justice system and must be identified and rooted out. Just after — and as a result of — the George Floyd murder and Elijah McClain’s death, the Colorado legislature passed a sweeping law enforcement reform bill. The…

George Brauchler Convicted drug dealers and aggravated motor-vehicle thieves can possess guns under Colorado law thanks, in part, to the support of Attorney General Phil Weiser. Last week, during an attorney general candidate forum in Aurora, Weiser misled his audience about his involvement in rearming convicted felons and his ongoing support for it. During the…

George Brauchler The biggest loser of last month’s primary was not any individual candidate — it was the Republican assembly process. Quick recap: candidates can earn their way onto the primary ballot by 1) getting at least 30% of the vote at the assembly for their office; 2) getting the appropriate number of signatures; or…