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White buffalo born in Yellowstone Park might predict better times according to Lakota lore
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White buffalo born in Yellowstone Park might predict better times according to Lakota lore

By The Associated Press (via Colorado Politics) The reported birth of a rare white buffalo in Yellowstone National Park fulfills a Lakota prophecy that portends better times, according to members of the American Indian tribe who cautioned that it's also a signal that more must be done to protect the earth and its animals. "The birth of this calf is both a blessing and warning. We must do more," said Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and the Nakota Oyate in South Dakota, and the 19th keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman Pipe and Bundle. Erin Braaten of Kalispell took several photos of the calf shortly after it was born on June 4 in the Lamar Valley in the northeastern corner of the park, while her family was visiting the park. Traffic...
Colorado to see ‘enormous decrease’ in revenue, less TABOR refunds because of new tax laws
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado to see ‘enormous decrease’ in revenue, less TABOR refunds because of new tax laws

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics The latest revenue forecast for Colorado's state government reflected the effects of some of the 30 laws approved this year that changed tax policy, resulting in less revenue for state operations and decreased Taxpayer's Bill of Rights refunds to residents.  The overarching message is the 2024-25 budget was tight — and 2025-26 is going to be even tighter. And that doesn't yet include the potential effects to the state budget from two ballot measures that could require the state to backfill up to $3 billion to cover lost property tax revenue for school districts and local governments. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Colorado ethics panel finds probable cause to investigate lawmaker accused of intoxication
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Colorado ethics panel finds probable cause to investigate lawmaker accused of intoxication

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Colorado Politics A Senate panel on Thursday decided to investigate the actions of a legislator accused of showing up intoxicated at a city council meeting in her district.  The panel unanimously agreed that a probable cause exists to look into an ethics complaint filed by the Northglenn City Council against Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, for her behavior during the April meeting.  Northglenn's councilmembers alleged that Winter failed to uphold her duties as a senator when she appeared to be intoxicated on April 3, in which the city council and residents discussed a proposal to locate a behavioral center in Northglenn. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
RTD candidate has lengthy criminal record spanning two states since the 1990s
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RTD candidate has lengthy criminal record spanning two states since the 1990s

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Colorado Politics A candidate for the Regional Transportation District board of directors has a criminal record spanning two states that includes multiple financial charges and accusations of animal cruelty. Robert Dinegar, a former RTD operator and candidate for District A, has been charged with a number of crimes, according to records shared by his opponent and independently confirmed by Colorado Politics.    Among those charges is a 1992 indictment for theft of over $400 but less than $1,500 in Boulder County, for which Dinegar was sentenced to two years in jail, as well as two DUIs that same year and a restraining order against his ex-wife. Dinegar also faced financial charges in Travis County, Texas, in the early 1990s. In August of 2...
Colorado Dems applaud Biden’s latest immigration order, while Republicans call it ‘madness’
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Colorado Dems applaud Biden’s latest immigration order, while Republicans call it ‘madness’

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics Colorado Democrats on Tuesday applauded President Joe Biden's executive order to shield from deportation hundreds of thousands of individuals who are living in the country illegally and are married to American citizens.   Some Republicans, meanwhile, denounced the move as "madness."   The new policy would provide a path to citizenship to some 500,000 people, as well as the ability to legally work in the country. The Biden administration characterized the latest move — one of the most sweeping actions in several years — as aiming to help some immigrant families to stay together. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Shooting of man standing at door not covered under ‘Make My Day’ immunity, Colorado Supreme Court rules
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Shooting of man standing at door not covered under ‘Make My Day’ immunity, Colorado Supreme Court rules

By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics A defendant cannot avail himself of the immunity Colorado law affords those who use lethal force against home intruders, the state Supreme Court ruled on Monday, because his victim was not inside any "dwelling" when he fired the shots. Joseph M. Howell stands accused of attempted murder and other charges. In February 2023, a man allegedly came to the ground-floor apartment in Denver where Howell lived with his mother. The man was reportedly acting "wild" and "threatening." At one point, the man stepped onto the concrete pad separating apartment complex's yard from Howell's door. From the apartment, Howell shot the man in the face through a barred, closed security door. In response to the criminal charges, Howell invoked Colorado's "Make My Day...
Ranchers press CWD officials for answers in daylong summit on wolves
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Ranchers press CWD officials for answers in daylong summit on wolves

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Jeff Davis, director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, walked into something of a wolf's den on Saturday. Nearly 100 people — ranchers, state and local elected officials, conflict resolution specialists, nonprofit staffers from pro-wolf groups, outfitters, media and representatives of the wildlife agency — traveled to the ranch of Don and Kim Gittleson, just north of Walden, to talk about the issue that has consumed people's energies particularly after the state officially introduced wolves in December. The Gittleson's ranch and Jackson County have been ground zero for attacks on livestock and working cattle dogs. In four years, the state  wildlife agency reported that 23 cattle, sheep and working dogs have been killed or ...
Why Colorado Safeway stores wouldn’t be run by Kroger if merger goes through
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Why Colorado Safeway stores wouldn’t be run by Kroger if merger goes through

By Bernadette Berdychowski | Colorado Politics Colorado has been one of the most vocal states against the proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons — the operators of the state’s King Soopers and Safeway stores. Amidst pressure from states such as Colorado and the federal government, Kroger and Albertsons announced in April it would divest 100 more stores than originally planned to ease worries from regulators that their $24.6 billion deal would harm American consumers. But the grocers' had a unique agreement for its stores in the Centennial State. Colorado is one of two states — the other being Arizona — where Kroger plans to license the Safeway brand to another grocer. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Colorado Libertarians don’t plan to submit national party’s presidential ticket to state’s ballot
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Colorado Libertarians don’t plan to submit national party’s presidential ticket to state’s ballot

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Colorado's Libertarian Party doesn't plan to submit paperwork putting the party's presidential and vice presidential nominees on the state's general election ballot after determining the national ticket doesn't share the state party's core values, a party spokesman said. That could change if Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver and his running mate, Mike ter Maat, change their positions on numerous issues, the spokesman told Colorado Politics. As things stand, however, the state's largest minor political party is leaving its options open — and could nominate someone else or list "none of the above" as the Libertarian candidate for president on Colorado ballots. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Jeffco GOP chief aims to force vote to remove Dave Williams as Colorado Republican Party chairman
coloradopolitics.com, State

Jeffco GOP chief aims to force vote to remove Dave Williams as Colorado Republican Party chairman

By Ernest Luning | Colorado Politics Colorado Republican Chairman Dave Williams faced mounting calls to step down Saturday amid a push by the GOP chair of one of the state's largest counties to oust him from the top party position. "It is an aggressive move, but what Dave has been doing for the past few months is just unacceptable anymore," Jefferson County GOP Chairwoman Nancy Pallozzi told Colorado Politics after launching a petition on Friday to force a vote to fire Williams. "He is not speaking on behalf of the Republican Party. He is speaking for himself," Pallozzi said. Williams told Colorado Politics he isn't going anywhere. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS