Rocky Mountain Voice

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Appeals court limits e-scooter companies’ liability for injuries caused by negligent users
Approved, denvergazette.com, State

Appeals court limits e-scooter companies’ liability for injuries caused by negligent users

By Michael Karlik | Colorado Politics, via Denver Gazette Colorado's second-highest court ruled on Thursday that electric scooter companies cannot be held liable simply for making scooters available to users who, in turn, cause injuries to others. Answering the question for the first time, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals stressed that, even though e-scooter providers have no general duty to protect third parties from their users, there could be specific scenarios in which companies can be held responsible — for example, by renting to a customer known to be dangerous. "We express no opinion on the existence and scope of a company’s duty to third parties in circumstances not alleged in this case. Nor do we consider the nature of any duty Lime might owe to the users ...
Wyatts Towing has new owners after agreeing to $1 million settlement with Colorado
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Wyatts Towing has new owners after agreeing to $1 million settlement with Colorado

By Melissa Reeves | via Colorado Politics A towing company that agreed to pay $1 million as part of a settlement with Colorado's attorney general's office for predatory towing practices is under new management. Last week, the Colorado attorney general's office announced thousands of victims of illegal towing will receive restitution checks in the mail, following a $1 million settlement with Wyatts Towing. The office announced the settlement last year, which resolved a state investigation into "illegally collected fees, unlicensed towing, and other unfair and deceptive business practices," the office said. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Colorado House Republicans celebrate election of Keltie, Woog in elimination of Dems’ supermajority
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado House Republicans celebrate election of Keltie, Woog in elimination of Dems’ supermajority

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado House Republicans are celebrating the election of Rebecca Keltie and Dan Woog in their close District 16 and 19 races, which would erase Democrats' supermajority in the House. https://twitter.com/COHouseGOP/status/1857283274801877188 As of Friday morning, Keltie held a 7-vote lead over Democrat Steph Vigil in the District 16 race in El Paso County. Also, Woog has a 123-vote lead over Democrat Jillaire McMillan in the District 19 race in Boulder and Weld counties. The victories would give Republicans 22 seats in the 65-seat Colorado House of Representatives. “Colorado voters spoke loudly, supporting two common-sense leaders in Dan Woog and Rebecca Keltie,” House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese said in a statement, declaring both...
Boebert, Hurd commit to seamless transition in 3rd District U.S. House leadership
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Boebert, Hurd commit to seamless transition in 3rd District U.S. House leadership

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado Republicans have had some inner-party drama this year. But, teamwork is possible. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and U.S. Rep.-elect Jeff Hurd are proving it. In a joint press release, the two pledge a smooth transition of leadership for Colorado's 3rd U.S. House District. Boebert presently serves in the seat. Hurd will serve in the seat come January. They both express confidence in each other and their teams. “As legislators wrap up our work for the 118th Congress, it is critically important that the people of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District experience a smooth transition of representation as Congressman-elect Jeff Hurd begins his term in January,” says Boebert. The congresswoman highlights ongoing collaboration, not...
‘CDOT is going to have to answer some hard questions’: Former, current congressmen want answers on failures
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘CDOT is going to have to answer some hard questions’: Former, current congressmen want answers on failures

By Lindy Browning | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Former State Sen. Ray Scott has been trying to hold the Colorado Department of Transportation accountable for more than a decade, even staying engaged on the issue after leaving office. “We have had too many people killed on Colorado highways in the last few years, and this year has had devastating consequences to too many families,” Scott said. Now, he's being joined by the Colorado Republican delegation in Congress, with a letter led and authored by U.S. Rep. Greg Lopez, to find solutions. In June 2024, two women, Candace Smith and Trinity Hasse, were killed on Highway 550 near Montrose when they stopped for flaggers in a CDOT work zone and were hit from behind by a speeding vehicle.  Three additional people were inju...
Ganahl: Kroger-Albertsons merger preserves competition, protects jobs and retains price points
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Ganahl: Kroger-Albertsons merger preserves competition, protects jobs and retains price points

By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger has become a critical issue in Colorado, where both companies maintain a significant presence. Kroger operates 148 King Soopers and City Market stores, while Albertsons operates 105 Safeway and Albertsons locations.  To address concerns about reduced competition, Kroger and Albertsons have proposed selling 91 stores, including Safeway and Albertsons locations, to C&S Wholesale Grocers. C&S is a national distributor and operator of grocery chains such as Piggly Wiggly. The companies have committed to ensuring no store closures or layoffs of frontline workers as part of this divestiture plan, and C&S has committed to honoring collective bargaining agreements in the acquired stor...
Gov. Polis submits state budget suggesting millions go to education, safety
Approved, kdvr.com, State

Gov. Polis submits state budget suggesting millions go to education, safety

By Maddie Rhodes | Fox 31 News Colorado Gov. Jared Polis submitted the proposed state budget for 2025 to 2026, which suggests putting millions into education and safety. Every year, the governor, elected officials and state agencies submit annual budget requests to the legislature to fund specific state services. This can include health care, human services, education and Colorado roads. In April, Polis signed the 2024-25 state budget with measures that fully funded Colorado schools, created investments into public safety and created new housing. Now, the next state budget is on its way to be determined. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Oil and gas industry to push for policy changes under Trump administration
Approved, gazette.com, State

Oil and gas industry to push for policy changes under Trump administration

By Scott Weiser | The Gazette The oil and gas industry sees an opening to reverse "heavy handed mandates" with the incoming Trump administration, arguing that last week's elections showed that Americans want the widest possible portfolio of energy sources — not "government mandates and restrictions." Meanwhile, environmentalists are gearing up for a fight.  In Colorado, oil and gas industry leaders said the state's stringent regulations would adequately protect public health.    READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Colorado wildlife officials meet with Western Slope commissioners over wolf reintroduction
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado wildlife officials meet with Western Slope commissioners over wolf reintroduction

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which faces sharp criticism over its plans to release more wolves on the Western Slope in the coming months, met with county commissioners last week from the counties where the next reintroductions are slated to take place. Those counties are Pitkin (Aspen), Rio Blanco, Eagle and Garfield, according to the agency. The idea of more wolves on the Western Slope didn't sit well with county commissioners — except for Pitkin County. And Pitkin County doesn't have state lands, so dropping wolves into that county would require a private landowner to grant Colorado Parks and Wildlife permission to do so. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS
Schumann: Polis position as ‘protector of democracy’ at odds with his actions as governor
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Schumann: Polis position as ‘protector of democracy’ at odds with his actions as governor

By Jen Schumann | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has positioned himself as a defender of state autonomy. He launched the Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD) Coalition with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The coalition aims to fight federal overreach under a second Trump administration. Polis seeks to be seen as a champion of democracy.  "In this moment, protecting democracy has never been more relevant or important, and doing so demands strong leadership at the state level," Polis said in his press release announcing the coalition. A closer look at Polis's tenure reveals a different story. He has used his authority as governor to enforce contentious policies. Critics say these policies mirror the federal overreach he opposes. With rising crime a...