Lobbyists in Colorado legislature paid nearly $70 million in last year

Lobbyists in Colorado legislature paid nearly  million in last year

Money spent on lobbying in Colorado again hit a record high this year — but the tally only begins to hint at the ways the deluge steers policy through the statehouse. In all, the $69.6 million paid to Colorado lobbyists in the most recent fiscal year, which ended June 30 and included this year’s legislative … Read more

Colorado lawmakers pass water bills to reduce use, protect quality

Colorado lawmakers pass water bills to reduce use, protect quality

As Colorado’s rivers shrink and its soils dry out, state lawmakers this year passed a slew of water bills that advocates say will help reduce water use and protect the critical natural resource. Nine major bills aim to reduce water use in cities, replace nixed federal protections of wetlands and minimize the amount of toxic … Read more

Colorado oil and gas, climate deal includes fees, abandoned bills

Colorado oil and gas, climate deal includes fees, abandoned bills

Leading Colorado Democrats and the state’s oil and gas industry announced a preemptive armistice Monday — one that seeks to defuse the latest round of dueling ballot initiatives and legislation aimed at the industry and its environmental impacts. The proposals, described to reporters by Gov. Jared Polis and legislative leadership, include imposing a new per-barrel … Read more

Colorado bill aims to protect wetlands, streams after Sackett decision

Colorado bill aims to protect wetlands, streams after Sackett decision

Colorado lawmakers are pursuing legislation to safeguard some of the state’s most fragile waterways from pollution after a U.S. Supreme Court decision rolled back federal protections. Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday night introduced a bill that requires the state to create a permitting process for people who want to fill in, dredge or pave over waterways. … Read more