Author: Marissa Ventrelli
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Colorado chamber: 2026 legislative session marked ‘significant progress’ for business
This year’s legislative session produced some big wins for the state’s business environment, according to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce’s annual report. The report measured the progress in the chamber’s legislative agenda across policy areas like labor and employment, technology and health care. Among the chamber’s top priorities for this year’s legislative session was Senate…
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Democratic candidates DeGette, Kiros and James clash in CD1 forum
The three Democratic candidates for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District clashed on Friday night over a host of issues, even as they expressed frustration with their party. The candidates — U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, doctoral student Melat Kiros and university regent Wanda James — took part in the forum moderated by Colorado Politics reporters on Friday…
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A graduated tax plan could undercut Colorado’s business competitiveness, analysis warns
A proposal to move Colorado to a graduated income tax — taxing individuals and businesses at different rates based on their earnings — could generate more than $2 billion in its first year, but it could also weaken the state’s business climate and cause corporations to flee, according to a new analysis from the Common…
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Colorado State Shooting Association files constitutional challenge to firearms dealer law
A firearms group has filed a lawsuit challenging a recently signed law expanding regulations for firearms dealers in Colorado. House Bill 26-1126 clarifies that firearms dealers must hold both a federal and state license to operate. The bill also allows the Department of Revenue to fine dealers up to $100,000 for second or subsequent violations of…
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As number of unaffiliated voters grow in Colorado, experts note patterns, behavior
For the first time in Colorado’s history, more primary ballots are going to voters without a party affiliation than to registered Democrats or Republicans. As such, political experts said, candidates today need to appeal to a new block of people — unaffiliated voters are not monolithic in their political views — who have begun to…
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Flat or graduated income tax? Colorado groups push dueling measures for November election
Colorado voters could face two opposing income-tax measures on the November ballot, with the dueling campaigns seeking to advance proposals that would take the state in sharply different fiscal directions. One initiative seeks to replace Colorado’s flat income tax with a graduated system, while the other aims to lock in the current rate. Both measures…
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Backers of Colorado road-funding initiative reject withdrawal deadline
The standoff over a road‑funding initiative in Colorado persisted after supporters declined state lawmakers’ request to withdraw the measure, while both sides signaled they are willing to pursue a broader agreement ahead of the fall deadline. Initiative No. 175, backed by the coalition Restore Our Roads, would require that all transportation-related revenue be used exclusively…
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Geo Group sues Colorado over new immigration detention facility inspection law
The private prison company that operates the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Aurora has filed a lawsuit against Colorado to stop the enforcement of a new law requiring additional health and safety inspections of immigration detention facilities. The lawsuit from Geo Group, filed Monday in Denver District Court, lists Colorado Attorney General Phil…
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Colorado governor nixes bills on swipe fees, suing feds and firefighter benefits
Gov. Jared Polis vetoed three bills Wednesday, rejecting measures on credit‑card swipe fees, immigration enforcement lawsuits, and firefighter cancer coverage. In doing so, the governor set a new personal record for vetoes in a single session, having now rejected 12 bills that were passed this year. Among those bills was Senate Bill 134, which would…
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6 incumbents face challengers in primary in state races
With Colorado’s primary election just weeks away, voters will see plenty of new names on their ballots when they’re sent out next week. There will be some old names, too, as several incumbents are running opposed. Six lawmakers — one senator and five representatives — face challenges in their respective party’s primary. Senate District 9…