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Colorado Republicans praise Trump’s pick of ‘young, dynamic’ J.D. Vance as his running mate
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Colorado Republicans praise Trump’s pick of ‘young, dynamic’ J.D. Vance as his running mate

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Leading Colorado Republicans and delegates to the party's national convention applauded former President Donald Trump's nomination of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday, with some lauding the choice of the 39-year-old author as evidence Trump is empowering a new generation of Republicans. "Sen. J.D. Vance is a fantastic choice, and we are over to moon that President Donald J. Trump along with Sen. Vance are on a clear path to victory come November, especially as Joe Biden and the Democrats implode and fall apart during the final chapter of this race," said Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams, the chairman of the state's 37-member delegation to the Republican National Convention. Williams told Colorado Politics that the state's dele...
Having called Trump ‘the devil’ and facing calls to resign, state Rep. Steven Woodrow calls the post ‘inarticulate’
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Having called Trump ‘the devil’ and facing calls to resign, state Rep. Steven Woodrow calls the post ‘inarticulate’

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Colorado Politics Facing a backlash, state Rep. Steven Woodrow, a Democrat from Denver, described his tweet calling former President Donald Trump "the devil" following Saturday's assassination attempt as "inarticulate" and apologized that his words "caused additional pain."  Woodrow made the post shortly after a shooter tried to assassinate Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. A bullet pierced Trump's ear and Secret Service agents quickly whisked him from the stage, his ear covered in blood. The gunman was killed and a bystander also died. After Saturday's shooting, Woodrow posted, "The last thing we needed was sympathy for the devil but here we are." Woodrow deleted his X account shortly after making the post.  In a statement to Colorado...
Colorado politicians condemn shooting at Trump rally: ‘Violence is never acceptable’
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Colorado politicians condemn shooting at Trump rally: ‘Violence is never acceptable’

By Luige Del Puerto | Colorado Politics Colorado's elected leaders condemned the shooting at a campaign rally held by Donald Trump, who was whisked off the stage after the gunshots rang through the crowd. Trump's campaign said he is "fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility." The former president was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Officials said the gunman is dead and one attendee was killed. The Secret Service said the shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Dem State Rep. Woodrow deletes Twitter account, faces firestorm of criticism after post-shooting anti-Trump tweet
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Dem State Rep. Woodrow deletes Twitter account, faces firestorm of criticism after post-shooting anti-Trump tweet

By Luige Del Puerto | Colorado Politics A Colorado Democratic lawmaker deleted his X account after tweeting that the "last thing America needed was sympathy for the devil" following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Saturday. Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, faced backlash from both Republicans and members of his own party. "The last thing America needed was sympathy for the devil but here we are," Woodrow said. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert blamed President Joe Biden and pointed to the "rhetoric from the left," which she said has "escalated to this moment." READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
1st Amendment claim of fired Douglas County school employee will be heard by jury
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1st Amendment claim of fired Douglas County school employee will be heard by jury

By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics A jury will decide whether a Douglas County charter school fired an employee because of her protected online speech about vaccinations, a federal judge ruled last month. At the same time, U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak determined Jennifer Webb's repeated reports of alleged financial improprieties were not protected by the First Amendment. Consequently, jurors would not evaluate whether Aspen View Academy retaliated against her for raising concerns of embezzlement. Webb was the business manager for Aspen View, an elementary and middle school in Castle Rock, between 2017 and 2021. Her job generally entailed bookkeeping and financial oversight. Webb soon became concerned about financial malfeasance by the school's principal, Robert Barbe...
In Elbert County, manager and attorney get 40% pay increases, with perks
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In Elbert County, manager and attorney get 40% pay increases, with perks

By Deborah Grigsby | Colorado Politics Two of Elbert County’s top officials received contract extensions this year, each with pay raises and county-owned cars, among other perks. The Board of County Commissioners extended “Engagement of Service” contracts to County Manager Shawn Fletcher and County Attorney Bart Greer. Fletcher, who has been on the job for less than 18 months, saw a pay bump of $80,000 over his 2023 contract, bringing his annual salary to $220,000. Additionally, he gets the use of a county-owned or leased vehicle, a monthly housing allowance of $1,500, and an extra two weeks (8 days) of vacation leave above his current accrual rate. Greer, who has represented the county for close to seven years, will also receive an annual salary of $220,000 and use a county ve...
Political ads on social media rife with misinformation and scams, new research finds
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Political ads on social media rife with misinformation and scams, new research finds

By DAVID KLEPPER | The Associated Press (via Colorado Politics) The online advertisement to Donald Trump supporters was clear enough: Click here, and receive a free Trump 2024 flag and a commemorative coin. All in exchange for taking a quick survey and providing a credit card number for the $5 shipping and handling. “You’ll get two free gifts just by taking this quick poll in support of Trump,” says the ad's narrator. The ad — which has appeared on Facebook, YouTube and other platforms — didn't mention the $80 charge that would later appear on credit card statements. Those that clicked were scammed. Political advertisements on social media are one of the best ways for candidates to reach supporters and raise campaign cash. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS...
Dueling meetings planned to decide future of party’s leadership
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Dueling meetings planned to decide future of party’s leadership

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Rival factions of the Colorado Republican Party have scheduled separate meetings a week apart in different corners of the state later this month to consider whether to remove Dave Williams as the state party's chairman, though the meeting set by Williams' allies is only planned to last long enough to gavel in and then immediately recess. Leaders of both groups accuse the others of staging "illegal" and "fraudulent" meetings in what they characterize as attempts to hijack the state Republican Party for their own gain, even as GOP candidates are left scrambling to prepare for a crucial election just months away. Organizers of a long-simmering move to oust Williams from the party position said Monday that they'll convene on July 27 at a church in ...
Voters in Aurora will be asked to decide whether to repeal pit bull ban
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Voters in Aurora will be asked to decide whether to repeal pit bull ban

By Kyla Pearce | Colorado Politics Aurora councilmembers on Monday decided to ask voters in November whether to repeal the city's pit bull ownership ban after a court deemed the council's vote to do so in 2021 to be invalid.  The decision is on appeal, but, in the meantime, the city could vote to put the question on the ballot, according to City Attorney Pete Schulte.   It passed unanimously. Only seven councilmembers were present when the vote was taken — Crystal Murillo and Alison Coombs were in another room listening to protesters who took over the meeting to demand the firing of the SWAT officer who killed Kilyn Lewis, whom the police sought for attempted homicide. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Greg Lopez sworn in to serve final six months of ex-Rep. Ken Buck’s term
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Greg Lopez sworn in to serve final six months of ex-Rep. Ken Buck’s term

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Republican Greg Lopez was sworn in as a congressman Monday to represent Colorado's 4th Congressional District after winning a special election to complete the six months remaining in former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck's term. After House Speaker Mike Johnson administered the oath of office, Lopez addressed fellow lawmakers on the House floor, noting that he would only serve until the next Congress takes office in January. "But in that short time, I vow to stay true to the virtues of respect, collaboration, friendship, unity and, most importantly, statesmanship," Lopez said. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS