Colorado Democrats plan wage theft bill aimed at construction industry

Colorado construction contractors could face civil liability for wage theft under a bill previewed by Democratic lawmakers Friday. Details of the proposal are still being finalized ahead of the legislative session that begins Wednesday. House Majority Leader Monica Duran, a Wheat Ridge Democrat, said it is one of the bills she plans to introduce on … Read more

Colorado should finally license funeral home workers, regulators say

Colorado regulators recommended the state once again license funeral home workers in light of recent egregious abuses in the industry. In a 51-page report sent to the state legislature last week, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies said, “It is clear that the public is harmed by the general lack of regulation of funeral service … Read more

Gun-rights groups sue to block Colorado’s new ban on “ghost guns”

A pair of gun-rights groups have filed a lawsuit against Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to block enforcement of a new state law banning so-called “ghost guns,” in the latest legal challenge of a slew of new firearms reform measures. The suit was filed in federal court Monday, when some provisions of the law took effect, … Read more

Colorado Republican sues Polis, House speaker over special session

A Colorado Republican lawmaker is asking a state judge to block a new tax credit increase from taking effect because, he alleges, the state House’s speaker violated constitutional procedure during last month’s special session on property taxes and other relief. Rep. Scott Bottoms, of Colorado Springs, filed the suit in Denver District Court Thursday against … Read more

Colorado presidential primary candidates — is Donald Trump on ballot?

Colorado’s March 5 presidential primaries — the state’s first formal foray into the 2024 election — are firming up, and the competition isn’t as simple as incumbent-versus-challenger. As it stood Friday, voters who mark Democratic ballots will have their pick of eight candidates and a no-preference option. The Republican ballot will have at least six … Read more

Colorado leaders ask Congress to demand cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

More than 50 current and former elected officials, community leaders, religious leaders and representatives of nonprofit groups called Thursday for Colorado’s congressional delegation to push more forcefully for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to stop the killing of civilians. “We must demand a cease-fire,” State Rep. Iman Jodeh said on the west steps of … Read more

New Colorado laws that go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024

Two dozen new Colorado laws — concerning issues including how tractors are repaired, how evictions are handled and how elections are run — go into effect on New Year’s Day, shortly before state legislators return to the Capitol and begin the lawmaking process all over again. The bills that are set to kick in next … Read more

Colorado Rep. Said Sharbini resigns — second Dem to quit this month

State Rep. Said Sharbini, a Brighton Democrat, is resigning just a year into his term, he said Monday — making him the second freshman lawmaker to quit this month. Sharbini cited the political “vitriol” at the Capitol and low pay for the long hours required of lawmakers. Legislators whose terms began in January, including Sharbini, … Read more

Colorado Republicans line up for shot to win Rep. Ken Buck’s open seat

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck’s decision last month not to seek reelection to Congress opened a tantalizingly rare window for Republicans in eastern Colorado: a red seat in one of the state’s few remaining conservative strongholds that, once won, would be tough to ever lose. “If somebody wants to be a congressman who lives in the … Read more

Colorado Black lawmakers propose study of racial equity, solutions

Several state lawmakers want to zero in on deep-rooted disparities that are holding back Black Coloradans economically, from low homeownership to disproportionately high incarceration rates, and expand the search for solutions. That’s the aim of legislation unveiled Wednesday that would charge History Colorado, the state’s historical society, with undertaking a comprehensive study into the reverberations … Read more