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Colorado Senate committee advances bipartisan bill to repeal parts of Farmworkers Bill of Rights
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Senate committee advances bipartisan bill to repeal parts of Farmworkers Bill of Rights

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics A bill seeking to repeal a portion of the 2021 Farmworkers Bill of Rights cleared its first hurdle last week when the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee advanced the measure. Senate Bill 128 won a bipartisan 5-2 vote, with two Democrats and three Republicans in favor and two Democrats voting against it. It now heads to the full Senate for debate. The short hearing showed that divisions remain between moderate and progressive Democrats, with a compromise deal collapsing just before debate. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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New bill would boost safety, background-check requirements for TNCs like Lyft, Uber
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Approved, State, The Sum & Substance

New bill would boost safety, background-check requirements for TNCs like Lyft, Uber

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance Seeking to protect Uber and Lyft customers, a group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled a bill Friday that would boost steps companies must take to perform background checks on drivers and ensure unauthorized persons are not picking up rides in place of those drivers. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Jenny Willford of Northglenn and Meg Froelich of Greenwood Village, also would ensure transportation-network-company drivers work no more than 10-hour shifts and would require each ride to be continuously recorded via video and audio. It also would allow people injured by violations of the bill to file civil lawsuits against a TNC or a driver, and it would make violations of the proposed law deceptive trade practices under the Colorado Consumer Protectio...
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U.S. Rep. Boebert announces March mobile office hours in 4th District
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

U.S. Rep. Boebert announces March mobile office hours in 4th District

By Rocky Mountain Voice Mobile office hours will be offered in March at eight locations throughout the 4th District for constituents to interact with the office staff of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. The mobile office hours are intended to offer services to constituents needing in-person guidance, in convenient locations in addition to the Eaton and Castle Rock office locations. “Our congressional mobile office hours provide an opportunity for constituents from across the 4th District to get the assistance they need from our staffers who can help them in a variety of ways,” Boebert said. “Meeting Coloradans where they are is a critical part of the work our office does, and I know our mobile office hours will be a huge help to constituents of all backgrounds and locations.” Among th...
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State Senate celebrates 3/3 — a tip of the hat to the original 303 area code — in kickoff of ‘Buy Colorado Week’
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

State Senate celebrates 3/3 — a tip of the hat to the original 303 area code — in kickoff of ‘Buy Colorado Week’

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice At one time in Colorado, whether you lived in the high country, the flatlands or anywhere in between, your area code was 303. Today, there are five area codes in the state, but Senate Joint Resolution 25-008 passed Monday honors the history of the one area code and of Colorado business. "Today is 3/3, or better yet, 3/03," Democrat Sen. Jeff Bridges said in announcing the bill on the floor Monday. "What day better than today to celebrate Colorado's small businesses." The resolution naming March 3, 2025, as "Buy Colorado Day" and March 3-10 as "Buy Colorado Week" notes the 700,000 small businesses employing 1.2 million and the nine Fortune 500 companies calling the state home. The resolution fails to note the state has one of the most chall...
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Colorado Senate passes bill to extend public’s wait time for records requests
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado Senate passes bill to extend public’s wait time for records requests

By Thelma Grimes | Colorado Politics A measure allowing Colorado government entities to take even longer to process public records requested by residents passed in a 26-7 vote in the Senate on Wednesday. Currently, public entities must respond to Colorado Open Records Act requests within three business days and within seven for “extenuating circumstances.” If approved, SB 77 will give records custodians five days to respond to CORA requests and 10 days under "extenuating circumstances." News media would be exempt from the new rules, keeping current deadlines in place. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Does Colorado get back more or less than it spends in federal taxes?
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Approved, State, The Colorado Sun

Does Colorado get back more or less than it spends in federal taxes?

By John Ingold | The Colorado Sun If you ever feel like you may be in a one-sided relationship with the federal government come tax season, there’s a chance you’re right. It’s not you, it’s them. The focus lately on federal spending cuts has highlighted the importance that massive amounts of federal money play in all 50 states. But there’s another perspective to this issue: For some states, the amount they receive back in federal funding is less than what they pay in taxes. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE COLORADO SUN
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Rep. Crank announces first 5th District tele-town hall on March 5
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Rep. Crank announces first 5th District tele-town hall on March 5

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice The office of Congressman Jeff Crank, R-Colo. Springs, a freshman member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his first tele-town hall meeting. Crank represents the 5th District in El Paso County, a district which has never been represented by a Democrat. An email announcing the tele-town hall to constituents indicated it would take place at 7 p.m. (Mountain) Wednesday, March 5. Those attending will be able to ask questions of the congressman. “This will be a great opportunity to connect with the constituents of Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, take their questions, hear their concerns and discuss President Trump’s address to the nation," Crank said in a statement. "Make sure to tune in!” A link at crank.house.gov/l...
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Colorado’s wolves make their way across the western part of the state
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado’s wolves make their way across the western part of the state

By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice As seen in the newest map released by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), "newcomers" from the north are making their way across the entire Western Slope. This might excite CPW officials and wolf advocate groups, but not everyone.      Josh Wambolt wrote the members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission in an open letter that reads, “If you have not noticed, the ranchers and outfitters are pretty upset with the CPW commission, Director Davis, and the senior staff calling the shots.," wrote Josh Wamboltin a letter to the members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission. "If you haven’t noticed the exasperation from the general public, and those being affected by these wolves, and the unkept promises you made to people, I hig...
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Colorado’s hands-free driving law appears to be working, early data shows
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado’s hands-free driving law appears to be working, early data shows

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics A month and some change after it went into effect, Colorado's hands-free driving law appears to be showing early success at curbing distracted driving, according to research from Cambridge Mobile Telematics.  According to CMT's data, cellphone motion distraction has decreased 3.3% statewide, an improvement the company estimates has prevented 88 crashes, 49 injuries, and $3.5 million in economic damages.  The law, which took effect on January 1, prohibits drivers from using handheld mobile devices while driving, with exemptions for emergencies. Colorado is the 30th state in the country to ban sending texts and making phone calls while driving. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
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Dave Williams will not seek second term as Colorado GOP chairman
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Dave Williams will not seek second term as Colorado GOP chairman

By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice Dave Williams will become the fifth straight one-term chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, announcing the decision in an email to members Friday not to seek re-election. "After much prayerful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election as chairman of the Colorado Republican Party," he announced. Williams was elected in 2023 to succeed Kristi Burton Brown as chairwoman, bringing in what he had described as a "grassroots majority" era of the party. He was the fifth in a string of one-term party leaders, including before Burton Brown: Ken Buck, preceded by Jeff Hays, preceded by Steve House. Ryan Call, who preceded House, was the last two-term party leader. A chairman's term is two years, with elections in odd calendar years. ...
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