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Colorado, 8 other states, push IRS for clarification on taxability of FAMLI benefits
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado, 8 other states, push IRS for clarification on taxability of FAMLI benefits

By Marissa Ventrelli | SOURCE: COLORADO POLITICS Gov. Jared Polis joined governors from eight other states in urging IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel to provide guidance on the taxability of Family and Medical Leave Insurance, or FAMLI, benefits to avoid double taxation. “As states operating these programs, we urge the Internal Revenue Service to provide clarifying guidance in this area, specifically regarding the taxability of these benefits and premiums, and to prevent the risk of double taxation," said a Jan. 18 letter signed by the state leaders. “The current absence of guidance from the IRS on the tax treatment of these programs creates a substantial risk of an unexpected and large tax liability for those who rely on these programs to take family leave, deal with a personal i...
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Draft bill puts numerous places off limits to concealed carry; Democrats test limits of ‘sensitive spaces’
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Approved, completecolorado.com, State

Draft bill puts numerous places off limits to concealed carry; Democrats test limits of ‘sensitive spaces’

By Sherrie Peif | SOURCE: COMPLETE COLORADO PAGE TWO DENVER — A bill banning the licensed carrying of a concealed handgun in many newly designated “sensitive spaces” around Colorado may soon be making its way through the legislature, despite similar laws passed in other states already being challenged in court, and losing. The bill has not yet been introduced, but at least one version of a draft has been circulating, showing how far majority Democrats are willing to go to restrict Coloradans’ gun rights. According to the copy obtained by Complete Colorado, the bill is almost identical to legislation already passed in California and New York. Those laws are already being challenged and are expected to eventually make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The legislation...
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Colorado-Built Weather Satellite Embarks on Journey to Kennedy Space Center
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Approved, National, State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado-Built Weather Satellite Embarks on Journey to Kennedy Space Center

SOURCE: THELOBBY-CO.COM In a remarkable display of Colorado's prowess in space technology, a cutting-edge satellite that will revolutionize weather forecasting made its way from Aurora to Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Monday. The GOES-U, a state-of-the-art satellite built on Lockheed Martin's Littleton campus in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is poised to deliver accurate and timely weather information, including the tracking and monitoring of wildfires. GOES-U is lowered into the thermal vacuum chamber. (Credit: Lockheed Martin) The GOES-U, roughly the size of a small bus, embarked on its journey to Florida inside the C-5M Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's fleet. This impressive feat symboli...
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Appeals court clarifies criteria for extending juvenile speedy trial deadline
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Appeals court clarifies criteria for extending juvenile speedy trial deadline

The Court of Appeals applied the factors for extending an adult's speedy trial deadline to juveniles facing criminal charges By Michael Karlik | SOURCE: COLORADO POLITICS Colorado's second-highest court clarified for the first time earlier this month that the same criteria used to extend an adult criminal defendant's speedy trial deadline also apply to juveniles. The federal and state constitutions guarantee the right to a speedy trial. In Colorado, that means the government generally must bring defendants to trial within six months of a not guilty plea. Judges may grant an extension over the defendant's objection if the prosecution's evidence is unavailable by the trial date or the state faces unusual hurdles in preparing more serious cases. For accused juveniles, ho...
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Colorado looks to copy Chicago with jailhouse voting assistance
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Approved, coloradopeakpolitics.com, State

Colorado looks to copy Chicago with jailhouse voting assistance

SOURCE: COLORADO PEAK POLITICS Colorado’s growing industry of Bad Ideas is now pursuing jailhouse ballot collection services for inmates who haven’t committed serious enough crimes to lose their right to vote. Sure, non-felons can already vote. But leftist advocates insist our incarcerated citizens are too stupid to do mail in voting on their own and require the help of ballot harvesters in person voting. Criminal Justice Reform Coalition is already helping Denver inmates vote. Now they’re working with Democrat state Sen. Julie Gonzales on legislation to require in-person voting events at every jail and prison across Colorado. Cook County, Illinois already does it, and look how that’s worked out for Chicago! Cringe. Kyle Giddings, civic engagement coordina...
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Colorado Legislature Considers Making Alcohol To-Go Sales Permanent for Restaurants
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Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Legislature Considers Making Alcohol To-Go Sales Permanent for Restaurants

SOURCE: THELOBBY-CO.COM A bill is making its way through the Colorado legislative session, aiming to make alcohol to-go sales at restaurants a permanent fixture. Originally introduced four years ago as a response to pandemic-related dining restrictions, this legislation seeks to support the struggling restaurant industry by allowing them to continue offering alcohol takeout. PRIME SPONSORS Sen. Dylan Roberts Rep. William Lindstedt Rep. Rose Pugliese In 2020, when the pandemic first hit, Governor Jared Polis issued an emergency executive order that permitted restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages and cocktails for takeout. In 2021, a bill was signed into law to extend this allowance, but it is set to expire next year, prompting the need for further action. The Colora...
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Lawmakers want Colorado employers to display suicide prevention posters at workplaces
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Lawmakers want Colorado employers to display suicide prevention posters at workplaces

By Marissa Ventrelli | SOURCE: COLORADO POLITICS Colorado is currently ranked sixth in the nation for suicides, a figure that two state lawmakers are looking to decrease through a bill that would require companies to post prevention education posters at workplaces starting next year. The proposal from State Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs, and Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D- Commerce City, would also require businesses to include suicide prevention information in company handbooks. Under House Bill 1015, posters created by the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics would include an overview of available suicide prevention training programs, educational materials on reducing access to means of self-harm, such as firearms, information on the 988 Suicide Crisis...
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Chaos erupts as some Republicans try anew to oust leader Mike Lynch
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Chaos erupts as some Republicans try anew to oust leader Mike Lynch

Republican leader survives attempt to oust him By Marianne Goodland | SOURCE: COLORADO POLITICS Another attempt to oust Rep. Mike Lynch as minority leader devolved into chaos on Tuesday morning, when his critics within the caucus failed to muster a quorum to hold a vote on his leadership.    Some of Lynch's colleagues sought to oust him from his post as House Minority Leader on Monday, when the GOP caucus deadlocked on the question of whether to retain him, which meant Lynch kept his post.     It was the second day of the drama that erupted within the House Republican caucus resulting from the news that Lynch was arrested for drunk driving in 2022. Today's saga began with Rep. Scott Bottoms calling for a caucus meeting. But  Rep. Mary Bradf...
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Burton Brown to seek State Board of Education seat
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Burton Brown to seek State Board of Education seat

Kristi Burton Brown, formerly the chairwoman of the Colorado Republican Party, has announced her candidacy for the Colorado State Board of Education seat in Congressional District 4. "Our education system needs more opportunity, better accountability, and greater empowerment for parents," Burton Brown said. "The Board of Education needs members who are committed to expanding school choice, ready to insist on high academic standards, and willing to prioritize parents' voices." Burton Brown is the Executive Vice President at Advance Colorado and, as a practicing attorney, is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court where she has submitted briefs on the right to life, religious freedom, and women's right to play sports without men taking their place. She is a former substitute teacher in rura...
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Armstrong: Colorado journalists cheerlead government interference
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Approved, completecolorado.com, State

Armstrong: Colorado journalists cheerlead government interference

 By Ari Armstrong | SOURCE: COMPLETE COLORADO PAGE TWO I worry about those who disparage “the media” without context or specific complaints. Badmouthing journalists can be a way to dodge reporting you don’t like. But there is such a thing as media bias, or at least biases within media. That’s not surprising. Journalists are people, and most people harbor some bias or other. But news publications, I think, have a responsibility to try to counteract rather than feed their reporters’ biases. Here I address a couple of recent cases of journalists cheerleading government interference. We might call this a “pro-state bias.” This bias is pronounced with three of Colorado’s leading news outlets, Colorado Public Radio, the Denver Post, and the Colorado Sun. Here I’ll look at examples from the...
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