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Ken Buck, three other Republicans thwart effort to impeach Homeland Security Sec. Mayorkas
Approved, gazette.com, National

Ken Buck, three other Republicans thwart effort to impeach Homeland Security Sec. Mayorkas

By Anna Giaritelli  | The Gazette House Republicans failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a contentious vote Tuesday that will temporarily spare the Cabinet official from facing removal proceedings. Lawmakers voted by a narrow margin of 214-216 to reject the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas, who was confirmed by the Senate in February 2023 to lead the department’s 260,000 employees. GOP Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Blake Moore (R-UT), and Ken Buck (R-CO) were the only members to break with the party and vote in defense of Mayorkas. All Democrats voted against the impeachment articles. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Democrat turns tail on proposed pet tax after voter backlash
Approved, coloradopeakpolitics.com, Commentary, State

Democrat turns tail on proposed pet tax after voter backlash

By Colorado Peak Politics A lawmaker who ruffled the fur of Colorado pet lovers with her bill mandating state registration of our four-legged children plus a mandated pet tax has turned tail and now plans to withdraw her measure. State Rep. Reginal English, a tax-and-spend Democrat from El Paso County, quickly came under fire on social media for her bill. It imposed fees of $8.50 on every pet with a designated caregiver, $25 for pets without designated caregivers, and $16 for pets that were permitted to breed. Channel 7 first reported English’s “decision to pull the bill was not because she felt pressured by the backlash.” Yet reported a few sentences later: English said the decision to pull the bill was not because she felt pressured by the backlash, but came ...
Telehealth bill aims to increase rural access to vet care
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, Rural Colorado, State

Telehealth bill aims to increase rural access to vet care

When Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, needed critical care for a dog which developed spine issues, it resulted in a six-hour round trip drive to a veterinarian in Colorado Springs. “We have been known as a home for wayward Pomeranians,” said Martinez, presenting a telehealth veterinarian care bill Monday to the Colorado House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee. He recalled every two to three weeks transporting the dog from the San Luis Valley to Colorado Springs for treatment. “I was able to make the drive, but a lot of people can’t,” Martinez said. House Bill 24-1048, which Martinez sponsored with Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, would aim to make veterinary care more accessible to those living in similar outlying areas of the state, with limited veteri...
George Brauchler, once term-limited in 18th District, announces he will run for DA in new 23rd Judicial District
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

George Brauchler, once term-limited in 18th District, announces he will run for DA in new 23rd Judicial District

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Parker Republican George Brauchler, the former district attorney for Colorado's 18th Judicial District, announced on Monday he wants his old job back, kind of. After facing term limits three years ago as the top prosecutor in the state's largest judicial district — covering Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties — Brauchler is vying to become the inaugural district attorney from the new judicial district that will be created at the beginning of next year, when the old 18th district splits in two. Brauchler is running for the 23rd Judicial District, the state's first new judicial district in 60 years, which will encompass Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, while Arapahoe County will have the old 18th district to itself. The seasone...
Colorado’s growing fentanyl crisis calls for stronger laws and border security
Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado’s growing fentanyl crisis calls for stronger laws and border security

By The Lobby The Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division has reported an explosion in the seizure of fentanyl pills in 2023, surpassing previous years. This alarming trend demands immediate action to protect Coloradans from the dangers of this deadly drug. The DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division provided the following breakdown of fentanyl seizures in their region: Colorado: 425.60 kilograms of fentanyl seized, equivalent to approximately 2.61 million pills. Utah: 119.30 kilograms of fentanyl seized, equivalent to approximately 664,200 pills. "Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest drug threat facing our nation," stated David Olesky, Acting Special Agent in Charge for DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division. Olesky emphasized the collabora...
In April, discounted internet will end for 250,000 low-income households if Congress doesn’t act
Approved, National, The Colorado Sun

In April, discounted internet will end for 250,000 low-income households if Congress doesn’t act

The Affordable Connectivity Program will stop accepting newcomers Feb. 7. Advocates hope Congress will extend funding. By Tamara Chuang | Colorado Sun The federal subsidy to reduce internet bills for nearly 250,000 Colorado households is winding down and funding is set to run out by April. But the first deadline is Wednesday at 10 p.m. when local internet providers must stop accepting new customers. “We will take applications to the very end,” said Brieana Reed-Harmel, broadband manager at Loveland Pulse, the city’s municipal internet service. “They are still trickling in little by little every day.” Loveland Pulse currently has about 500 low-income customers enrolled in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, a $14.2 billion program that launched two years ago to ...
Colorado lawmakers seek to boost condo development by reducing lawsuits over construction errors
Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado lawmakers seek to boost condo development by reducing lawsuits over construction errors

Condos are seen as a key way to ease Colorado’s housing affordability crisis, but changing the state’s so-called construction defects laws has been a political third rail By Jesse Paul | Colorado Sun In a bid to spur condominium construction in Colorado, a group of state lawmakers introduced a bill Monday aimed at reducing lawsuits over construction errors by narrowing when they can be filed and by giving builders and homeowners an avenue to make repairs faster and without going to court.  Senate Bill 106, the so-called construction defects measure, is a major part of the affordable housing debate at the Colorado Capitol this year.  Proponents of easing Colorado’s construction defects laws, including Gov. Jared Polis, see the change as a way to persuade...
Wildlife officials sued for skipping NEPA regs to release wolves in Colorado
Approved, coloradopeakpolitics.com, Commentary, State

Wildlife officials sued for skipping NEPA regs to release wolves in Colorado

By Colorado Peak Politics Radical big city environmentalists have been using federal red tape against westerners for decades to kick us off the public lands in our backyard and deprive us of every livelihood it provides, from natural resources to recreation. It’s past time for some payback. So thank you Colorado Conservation Alliance for filing a lawsuit against the state and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to follow those same rules and regulations in their zealous pursuit of turning loose apex predators loose in the high country. The Fence Post reports from the lawsuit: The defendants did not conduct the environmental review process under NEPA for the action of taking an apex predator (the gray wolf) from a population hundreds of miles away and introducing...
Arapahoe Basin set to be sold to new owners before end of 2024
Approved, denvergazette.com, State

Arapahoe Basin set to be sold to new owners before end of 2024

By Spencer McKee | Denver Gazette In breaking news that was released on the morning of February 5, it was announced that Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is set to be sold after 27 years of ownership under Dream Unlimited Corporation. Alterra Mountain Company, known for their popular 'Ikon Pass,' will purchase the popular slopesport destination, with the deal set to close later in 2024. The deal is subject to closing conditions, which include regulatory approvals. According to a press release on the matter, COO of Arapahoe Basin Al Henceroth will continue his role at the ski area. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Colorado Speaker faces criticism for turning away families of Hamas victims, while Senate welcomes them
Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Speaker faces criticism for turning away families of Hamas victims, while Senate welcomes them

By The Lobby The Speaker of the Colorado House has come under fire for refusing to allow families of hostages and victims, who had family members kidnapped by Hamas, into the House chamber. It is alleged that pressure from radical pro-Hamas Democrats influenced this decision, while the Colorado Senate welcomed these families with open arms. Seven families, who had flown all the way from Israel to share their heartbreaking stories with lawmakers, visited the Colorado Capitol on Monday. They came seeking support and assistance to bring their loved ones back home from Gaza. Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican and end Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Commerce City Democrat speaking before the Colorado Senate February 5, 2024. Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican and end Dafna...

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