Author: Marissa Ventrelli
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Report: Colorado government has grown beyond TABOR’s limits
Colorado’s government has grown substantially over the past three decades beyond the limits that voters approved to restrain that expansion, according to a new report from a think tank. The analysis from the Independence Institute, which examines state spending, revenue sources, and employment trends since the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights went into effect in 1992,…
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Colorado lawmakers want officers to conduct ‘lethality assessments’ when responding to domestic violence calls
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is hoping to reduce to Colorado’s rising domestic violence fatalities through a bill that would require law enforcement agencies around the state to conduct “lethality assessments” on domestic violence victims. In early December of last year, police found the body of 37-year-old Annette Valdez in a trash can near a…
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Colorado attorney general invites public to report ICE ‘misconduct’
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has launched a new online mechanism that allows Colorado residents to report “misconduct” by federal immigration agents, his office announced on Wednesday. “Nobody is above the rule of law, including federal agents such as ICE or border patrol,” he said. “This new reporting form is about keeping our communities safe…
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Enterprise fees surge as more of Colorado’s budget escapes TABOR limits
More than 30 years after Colorado voters approved the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, a growing share of state spending now falls outside the voter-approved limits intended to restrain government growth. A new report shows that fee-funded “enterprises” — state-owned businesses exempt from TABOR’s revenue cap — have expanded dramatically, raising worries that lawmakers are increasingly…
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Gov. Polis, Democratic lawmakers introduce trio of housing affordability bills
Democratic lawmakers were joined by housing advocates and Gov. Jared Polis at the Capitol on Wednesday to announce a trio of bills they say will increase affordable housing in Colorado. “This session, Colorado Democrats are focused on lowering costs, and these three bills will spur more housing now that Coloradans can afford,” said Speaker of…
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Gov. Jared Polis touts Colorado’s ‘significant’ drop in crime in 2025
Gov. Jared Polis is touting a recent report saying Colorado’s overall crime rate decreased by double-digit margins over the past year. “I am thrilled to see our data-driven investments in law enforcement support and crime prevention are working,” Polis said of the report from the Colorado Department of Public Safety. “Securing our safety is the…
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Gov. Jared Polis’ final address draws mixed reaction
Gov. Jared Polis used his final State of the State address to reflect on seven years of policy changes, blending cultural references and nostalgia, and drawing sharply different reactions from people. Lawmakers both past and present — as well as representatives from state agencies, nonprofit organizations and other guests — listened to Polis speak for…
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Douglas County Sheriff, DA sue Polis administration over immigration policy
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly and District Attorney George Brauchler filed a lawsuit against Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, challenging the constitutionality of a state statute on immigration visas. Filed on Wednesday, the suit also named Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Director of Public Safety Stan Hilkey, and Division of Criminal Justice Director Matt Luan as…
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Colorado House introduces first 20 bills of 2026 session, prioritizing housing, labor and consumer protections
Lawmakers from Colorado’s House of Representatives have introduced their first 20 bills of the session, which are often their top priorities for the year. In 2026, priorities include labor, housing and consumer protections. The very first bill read across the House desk, House Bill 1001, was introduced by sponsors last month during a press conference…
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Colorado GOP House leader emphasizes parental rights, affordability woes
The new Republican leader of the House emphasized worries about affordability, rising political violence, and parental rights in a speech to his colleagues on Wednesday. Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, who was selected to replace former Minority Leader Rose Pugliese following her resignation in the fall, began his speech by saying he was going to do something…