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Colorado Democrats Strike Identity Clause From Family Court Bill After Backlash
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Colorado Democrats Strike Identity Clause From Family Court Bill After Backlash

By Marissa Ventrelli | The Denver Gazette The sponsors of a proposal that would require suppression of records in name-change petitions for minors removed a provision that would have mandated the courts to factor in the issue of “identity” when allocating parenting time. In its original form, Senate Bill 018, included a requirement that family courts consider whether parents recognize their child’s identity “as it relates to a protected class” when determining parenting time decision-making responsibility. The protected classes in Colorado include gender identity and gender expression. A similar provision was amended out of last year’s House Bill 1312, which was ultimately signed into law. In that bill, the courts would have been required to consider “...
A different kind of Republican: Windholz urges support for Dr. Janak Joshi for U.S. Senate
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

A different kind of Republican: Windholz urges support for Dr. Janak Joshi for U.S. Senate

By JoAnn Windholz | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Not all doctors are the same just as not all candidates for elected office are the same.  One such doctor and candidate, Dr. Janak Joshi is my pick to be Colorado's Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. Having served with Dr. Joshi I know he is the perfect example of servant leadership. He treats everyone with dignity and kindness, while refusing to compromise his values and principles.  It’s evident to anyone who knows him that his strong faith and patriotism drive his passion and commitment to protecting Colorado families, providing relief to taxpayers, defending the unborn, and standing strong for our Constitutional liberties.   Dr. Janak Joshi is different from all the rest.   ...
Bennet Signals Support for Suspending Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Program
Colorado Politics, Approved, State

Bennet Signals Support for Suspending Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Program

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who is running for governor, told a newspaper this month that he favors suspending Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program, though he sounded less certain in another interview a few days later. “I think it’s right to suspend it for now and to try to see whether there’s any way to get back to a place where we’re implementing the original plan with fidelity,” he told the Durango Herald’s editorial board on Feb. 13. “But if we’re not able to implement with fidelity, then we shouldn’t continue.” Just three days later, Bennet appeared a little less certain in an interview with the Steamboat Pilot. “Asked about the reintroduction of wolves — one of the most contentious issues in Northwest C...
Colorado Launches New Study On Single Payer Health Care A Decade After Being Rejected By Voters
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Colorado Launches New Study On Single Payer Health Care A Decade After Being Rejected By Voters

By Mary Shinn | The Denver Gazette Colorado residents owe about $1 billion in medical debt.  The sky-high number is a small portion of the nation’s medical debt estimated around $220 billion, according to a 2024 analysis by Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF, formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation.  As more people nationally are expected to lose their health insurance following planned cuts and changes to Medicaid in January 2027, the Colorado School of Public Health is starting work on a study to analyze how the state could set up a single-payer health insurance program that would be run at the state level. Such a system could simplify the complicated private insurance system and ensure all state residents have coverage.  “It would be simple. I...
From 51 defeated bills to $8M in revenue: How Cobalt reshaped Colorado abortion policy
Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

From 51 defeated bills to $8M in revenue: How Cobalt reshaped Colorado abortion policy

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice A Colorado abortion advocacy organization is celebrating a decade of legislative defeats—51 abortion-restriction bills blocked since 2010—while reporting record spending and a surge in out-of-state demand. On its website, Cobalt says it has “testified against and helped defeat 51 anti-abortion bills at the Colorado General Assembly since 2010.”  Webpage from Cobalt Advocates referencing its 51-bill claim. Viewed Feb. 19, 2026. A February data report shows more than $2.4 million spent in 2025 on abortion procedures and practical support, including travel and lodging. Those numbers, drawn from Cobalt’s own reports and IRS filings, reflect more than annual fundraising success. They trace a broader shift in Colo...
Local control or state mandate: Colorado bill would override city prostitution laws
ScottKJames.com, Approved, Commentary, State

Local control or state mandate: Colorado bill would override city prostitution laws

By Scott K. James | Commentary, ScottKJames.com The Colorado General Assembly wants to decriminalize commercial sex and block every city and county from prohibiting it. That is not reform. It is a statewide power grab dressed up as enlightenment. There are bad bills. There are misguided bills. And then there are bills that crawl out of the Capitol smelling like moral decay wrapped in legislative arrogance. This one is the latter. Under the gleaming gold dome of the Colorado State Capitol, Democrats in the Colorado General Assembly have decided that commercial sex is now so enlightened, so elevated, so philosophically superior that no city, no county, no community in the entire state of Colorado may forbid it. SB26-097 not only decriminalizes consensual...
Wave of bills sparks alarm over parental rights and religious freedom
Christian Home Educators of Colorado, Approved, Commentary, State

Wave of bills sparks alarm over parental rights and religious freedom

By Colleen Enos | Commentary, Christian Home Educators of Colorado The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of bills and hearings. Sadly, the Colorado State Senate passed the harmful SB26-004, Expand List of Petitioners for Protection Order, which could result in homeschool families that exercise their second amendment rights being targeted as “a danger” by schools where they participate in part-time or extracurricular programs. The actual school, district or even a health care facility can petition for a Red-Flag order against the parents and remove their firearms according to the bill. It would actually incentivize families to avoid getting necessary healthcare for fear of being targeted. It is now scheduled to be heard in the House State, Civic, Military and Veteran...
Why J. Paul Brown Supports Naomi Riess for House District 59
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Why J. Paul Brown Supports Naomi Riess for House District 59

By J. Paul Brown | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As a lifelong farmer and rancher in Southwest Colorado and someone who has proudly served as the representative for House District 59, I know the importance of strong, principled leadership for our communities. We are in dire need of someone who has always stood by agriculture and our rural way of life.  I have known Naomi Riess for many years, and I can say with confidence that she is exactly the kind of leader we need. I personally witnessed her dedication when she helped the La Plata County Farm Bureau resolve challenges that some of our members were facing with the State Land Board regarding state land leases. Her knowledge, persistence and genuine care for the people she serves made a real difference. ...
Colorado Board Eases Birth Certificate Rules Offering Hope To Long Overlooked Residents
DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Board Eases Birth Certificate Rules Offering Hope To Long Overlooked Residents

By: Jaclyn Allen | Denver7 Board of Health approves change to delayed birth certificate rule, calls for legislative fix. DENVER — After Denver7 Investigates reported on the issue of Colorado's "ghosts" last year, the Colorado Board of Health unanimously voted Thursday to remove one of the most restrictive requirements in the state’s delayed birth certificate rules. It's a change advocates say will open the door for many Coloradans who have lived for years without proof of their birth. The new rule replaces the requirement that applicants provide at least one document created before their 10th birthday with the requirement that at least one document be 10 years old at the time of application. Advocates say the previous standard created a “lifetime bar”...