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Colorado’s systems have failed Tina Peters again and again
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Colorado’s systems have failed Tina Peters again and again

By RMV Editorial Board On December 8, 2025, three events collided in Colorado that no honest observer can dismiss as coincidence. A federal judge dismissed Tina Peters’ habeas corpus petition, admitting she raised “important constitutional questions” about whether a state court punished her for her speech, then refused to consider those questions because of the Younger doctrine. Hours later, Colorado’s Department of Corrections moved Peters into Isolation Detention Observation: twenty-two hours a day in a concrete cell, lights on around the clock, no yard time and a single explanation—“this is for your safety.”  That same afternoon, the United States Department of Justice opened a civil-rights investigation into Colorado’s prisons and youth facilities, citing po...
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Good News or Fake News: Peace — Real News with Integrity
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Good News or Fake News: Peace — Real News with Integrity

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice If hope teaches us to look forward, then peace teaches us how to stand firm right now. But here’s the tension every Coloradan feels—especially during the holidays: We live in a culture that profits from our anxiety. Fear sells. Outrage spreads. And when everything is loud, peace is mistaken for passivity… when in reality, peace is a kind of strength, a power that shapes who you are. Therefore, the question for you is, “What source is shaping who you are—the Good News or the fake news?” Because trusting the Good News builds confidence in the peace you carry. Or in other words, PEACE is Real News with Integrity. It’s not fragile. Peace is not the absence of conflict. Simply, peace is the inner integrity of a life aligned...
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Colorado Gives Day Sets New Record as Residents Donate $56.5 Million to Local Nonprofits
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Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Colorado Gives Day Sets New Record as Residents Donate $56.5 Million to Local Nonprofits

By Jennifer McRae | CBS Colorado Colorado Gives Day received a record-setting $56.5 million in donations, with more people donating this year than last year. More than 102,835 people donated, which is 8,100 more than last year. On Wednesday, thousands of Colorado nonprofits were celebrating the outpouring of generosity. "Colorado Gives Day makes it so easy for people to support the causes they care about," said Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of Colorado Gives Foundation, in a statement. "The event is truly a statewide movement and donors rallied together with a record-setting year when our communities needed it most." READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO
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Lawsuit Claims Jefferson County Jail Failed to Act as Inmate Suffered Fatal Reaction
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Approved, CBS Colorado, State

Lawsuit Claims Jefferson County Jail Failed to Act as Inmate Suffered Fatal Reaction

By: Karen Morfitt | CBS Colorado The family of a former inmate in Colorado is filing a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the Jefferson County Jail. The lawsuit claims jail staff caused the in-custody death of Ashley Raisbeck in December 2023. It says the jail gave Raisbeck an antibiotic that she was allergic to and then failed to call 911 for an hour after she showed signs of a medical emergency. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO
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From Hidden Fees to Gun Shows Colorado’s New Year Brings Major Regulatory Changes
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Approved, kdvr.com, State

From Hidden Fees to Gun Shows Colorado’s New Year Brings Major Regulatory Changes

By: Maddie Rhodes | KDVR Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — The beginning of the new year means a change of calendars and habits for some people, and for all Coloradans, the new year means there will be changes in the state laws. Colorado laws get passed consistently, but the effective date isn’t always right away. A lot of times, the effective date is delayed to make sure people have time to comply with the law before there are penalties. Several laws went into effect in July and August, and at the beginning of a new year, several laws often go into effect. Heading into 2026, laws ranging from gun show requirements to deceptive pricing practices are set to take effect. Colorado laws going into effect Jan. 1, 2026 Here are some laws going into effect at the start of the year: H.B. 25-1090...
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Wolf Reintroduction Costs Mount as Colorado Faces Another Budget Shortfall
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Approved, Aspen Times, State

Wolf Reintroduction Costs Mount as Colorado Faces Another Budget Shortfall

By: Ali Longwell | The Aspen Times A Joint Budget Committee briefing looked at how Parks and Wildlife has spent general fund allocations on wolves. To implement Colorado's voter-mandated reintroduction of gray wolves, the state legislature annually allocates $2.1 million as well as additional funds for compensating ranchers for wolf-related livestock losses. Colorado Parks and Wildlife/Courtesy Photo Colorado lawmakers continue to raise questions about the cost of the state’s wolf reintroduction during the early phases of the annual budgeting process for 2026. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Joint Budget Committee was briefed by committee staff on the 2026 budget for the Department of Natural Resources, which includes Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  It’s the second step in th...
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Colorado’s Agricultural Economy Depends on Affordable, Reliable Energy
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Colorado’s Agricultural Economy Depends on Affordable, Reliable Energy

By Matthew Gonzales | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s agricultural industry is one of the state’s greatest economic drivers. With more than 195,000 jobs and roughly $47 billion in economic output each year, it not only feeds the state - it feeds the region and beyond. And like any industry built on tight margins and year-round operations, it depends on one thing to stay competitive: affordable, reliable energy.  That’s why the role of natural gas in Colorado deserves more attention in statewide energy discussions. Natural gas powers irrigation equipment, heats greenhouses, dries grain, and keeps storage and food processing facilities running. It’s the backbone of the infrastructure that gets food from farm to table.  And that energy cost doesn’t stay in the field...
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One window for public input: PUC delays all gas-case comments until January 14
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Approved, Colorado Accountability Project, Commentary, State

One window for public input: PUC delays all gas-case comments until January 14

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project Save your comment for the PUC til January I have to fix an earlier goof. In an earlier newsletter (see the first link below), I invited people to sign up for the Dec 10th PUC meeting to speak about their recent natural gas decision. I have since learned that if you are planning on speaking to the PUC on the 10th, you are not allowed to speak about this particular issue. Before talking about why, let me first remind you (and encourage you) to save your comments for January. You should still have the opportunity to speak up January 14th virtually, so I encourage you to do so. Details on how to sign up for that meeting will be forthcoming along with my prepared testimony on or about January 10th. Returning to the pres...
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Colorado Progressive Tax Plan Advances Seeking End to Flat Tax and TABOR Limits
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Approved, Complete Colorado, State

Colorado Progressive Tax Plan Advances Seeking End to Flat Tax and TABOR Limits

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER — After years of voter-approved measures scaling back Colorado’s income tax rate, proponents of significantly higher government spending have cleared a major hurdle at the state Title Board towards raising taxes by $4.1 billion annually.   Proposed Initiative #181 would replace Colorado’s flat income tax with a so-called “progressive” tax where taxpayers are charged higher rates based on their income.   The initiative is being put forth by the Bell Policy Center, a progressive nonprofit led by former Colorado state rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, who while in office advocated multiple times for such things as reducing refunds under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) and universal healthcare. The Title Board gave the green light to move forw...
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Federal Investigation Targets Colorado’s Prison Policies and Youth Facility Failures
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Approved, State, The Gazette

Federal Investigation Targets Colorado’s Prison Policies and Youth Facility Failures

By: Cleo Westin | The Gazette The U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation into possible constitutional violations of Colorado prisoners through inadequate treatment and transgender housing policy, according to a release by the agency. The department’s letter of notice to Gov. Jared Polis on Monday identified housing “biological males” in female units in violation of religious freedom, inadequate medical care, excessive force and inadequate nutrition in youth facilities as matters it will investigate. The Department of Justice’s action to investigate aspects of an entire state’s prison system appears to be the first of its kind in 2025. It comes following a 2024 settlement on the treatment of transgender prisoners and several reports of inadequate care at prisons and you...
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