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Gaines: A Colorado for all, as long as you agree with Democrats
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Approved, Commentary, completecolorado.com, State

Gaines: A Colorado for all, as long as you agree with Democrats

By Cory Gaines | Complete Colorado Is Colorado, as Governor Polis has said he wants, a Colorado for all, or is it just a Colorado for those that agree with Democrat policy?  That’s not a rhetorical question, but rather one I recently sent to all the Democrats in the House of Representatives, and our esteemed governor, after reading about how they recently voted to limit debate on the House floor.  Again. You see, as they did last legislative session, and as they did during the special session on property taxes, the House Democrats voted on the Feb. 2 to allow special rules (normally reserved until the last 3 days of the session) to start as early as 10 days prior to the end of the session.  It makes a few other rule changes that, in essence and like the ...
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Lakewood residents want transparency from City Council over migrant housing concerns
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Approved, Denver Metro, Local, thelobby-co.com

Lakewood residents want transparency from City Council over migrant housing concerns

By The Lobby An emergency community meeting in Lakewood on Tuesday night brought hundreds of concerned citizens together to address the potential for the city to become a sanctuary for migrants. The meeting, organized by the group Lakewood Concerned Citizens, saw an overwhelming turnout, with attendees filling the meeting room and spilling into the parking lot. However, the meeting was not without controversy, as a last-minute location change raised questions about transparency. Initially, the meeting was scheduled to take place at a Lakewood school, but the permit was changed under the group Lakewood Concerned Citizens. This sudden alteration raised eyebrows among residents who were seeking clarification on the city council's stance on housing migrants. Concern over Lakewo...
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‘A bad night for Nikki Haley’ and maybe more to come in her home state, poll finds
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Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

‘A bad night for Nikki Haley’ and maybe more to come in her home state, poll finds

Donald Trump could pass the 100 delegate threshold later this month, signaling the foregone conclusion he is on the way to his third straight nomination as the Republican Party’s choice for President. He has thus far gathered 33 delegates in Iowa and New Hampshire to the 17 collected by Nikki Haley, Trump’s lone remaining challenger. But, the outcome in Nevada was especially harmful to Haley. She lost the primary to “none of these candidates” without Trump on the ballot and then failed to register for Thursday’s caucus, where Trump stands to be awarded all 26 delegates. “A bad night for Nikki Haley,” Trump wrote on social media.  That would leave four delegates at stake Thursday in the Virgin Islands caucus, with the South Carolina primary looming on Feb. 24 in Haley’s home s...
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Denver Public Schools Under Scrutiny for Alleged Racial Discrimination Against White Students
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Approved, Denver Metro, denvergazette.com, Local

Denver Public Schools Under Scrutiny for Alleged Racial Discrimination Against White Students

By Nicole C. Brambila | The Gazette The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened two discrimination complaints filed against Denver Public Schools’ use of race in selecting committee members to evaluate the district’s "discipline matrix" and in deciding which students can take math extension courses. The complaints, filed by the Mountain States Legal Foundation in November and September, respectively, alleged that the district gives preferential treatment to persons of color and inferred that its use of the word "diverse" is a veiled reference to considering race and people's gender identity.    Will Trachman, general counsel for Mountain States Legal Foundation, said the district cannot discriminate against White students or individuals who iden...
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Sen. Tim Scott dodges VP questions: ‘Shouldn’t make this about me’
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Approved, gazette.com, National

Sen. Tim Scott dodges VP questions: ‘Shouldn’t make this about me’

By Eden Villalovas | The Gazette Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) danced around questions about potentially becoming former President Donald Trump's running mate as speculation arises about his 2024 ticket, saying the focus shouldn’t be on him or another possible candidate for vice president. “My answer would be yes to America having four more years of Donald Trump. I don't think any one of us should make this about me or any other person who might be the candidate for vice president,” Scott told Fox News’s Sean Hannity on Tuesday.  Trump was not on Nevada’s primary ballot, which former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley lost on Tuesday to “none of these candidates.” Haley’s stinging defeat without Trump on the ballot further cements his status...
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House bill making toddler items tax-free in Colorado could save families $980 annually, cost the state $8M
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

House bill making toddler items tax-free in Colorado could save families $980 annually, cost the state $8M

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics A proposal that seeks to exempt toddler and baby products from the state sales tax narrowly passed its committee first hurdle on Monday. House Bill 1027 proposes to exempt toddler and baby products, such as cribs, swings, clothes, and strollers, from the state sales tax of 2.9%. It would also create two two-week tax holidays for back to school products, including backpacks, school supplies, and computers, under a certain amount. Supporters said the measure would provide relief to parents, while opponents expressed skepticism it would materially offer relief.      A fiscal note said parents could save $980 each year from the tax exemption, which would decrease state revenue by $8 million annually. Meanwhile, the tax ho...
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Revitalizing Colorado’s economy with clean energy falls short, yet again
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Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Revitalizing Colorado’s economy with clean energy falls short, yet again

A second attempt at defining nuclear energy as a clean energy source died in the Colorado State Legislature last week, despite a robust turnout of supportive citizens across the political spectrum that outnumbered opponents two to one.  Senate Bill 24-039, titled “Nuclear as a Clean Energy Resource” and introduced by Sen. Larry Liston, would have classified nuclear as a clean energy source, allowing it to be considered for local clean energy project financing and added to the list of energy sources that count toward meeting the state’s 2050 climate targets. As a Colorado native concerned about protecting my beautiful home state, I testified in favor of the fact that nuclear energy is clean, acknowledging that it offers carbon-free energy.  As an accountant by trade, I al...
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One rate that hasn’t risen is on savings accounts, and it would help millions
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Approved, denvergazette.com, National

One rate that hasn’t risen is on savings accounts, and it would help millions

By Joseph Lawler | The Gazette Rates have soared for mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and a range of other debt products, but not for savings accounts at big banks used by millions.  Yields on savings accounts at megabanks like Bank of America and Chase remain near zero. Savers, many of whom might lack financial discipline after years of living in a low-rate environment, have trillions in accounts that are yielding nothing and getting eroded by inflation.  “I really implore people to look outside their relationship with their current megabank,” said Amy Hamasaki, the owner of Mountain Wealth Planning. “These banks are making so much money off of these individuals having so much money earning nothing.”  READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZET...
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As re-introduced gray wolves cross state lines protection ends
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Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

As re-introduced gray wolves cross state lines protection ends

By The Lobby Wyoming ranchers are expressing their concern as gray wolves reintroduced into Colorado have been spotted near the state line. The proximity of these wolves to Wyoming raises fears about potential conflicts with livestock and poses a threat to the livelihoods of ranchers. While wolves in Colorado are federally protected and cannot be hunted or killed by the general public, once they cross into Wyoming's vast "predator zone," they lose their protected status and can be shot on sight. There have already been reports of conflicts. In September, at least one wolf was killed after crossing into Wyoming, according to reports by ranchers and stakeholders. However, Wyoming officials declined to confirm the incident, citing an 11-year-old state policy that keeps the identity o...
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Colorado House unanimously supports bill recognizing emergency phone operators as first responders
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Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado House unanimously supports bill recognizing emergency phone operators as first responders

By The Lobby In a rare display of unity, a bill at the Colorado Capitol received the approval of every representative present on Monday. The measure, which seeks to recognize emergency phone operators as first responders, is now headed to the Senate for further consideration and approval. These unsung heroes are often the first people you speak to in times of crisis, yet they have not been classified as first responders. Lawmakers at the Capitol have come to a bipartisan agreement that it is time to rectify this oversight and give credit where credit is due. PRIME SPONSORS Rep. Sheila Lieder Rep. Ryan Armagost Sen. Chris Kolker Sen. Kevin Van Winkle 9-1-1 dispatchers work tirelessly around the clock to ensure that people across the state receive the help they need...
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