Government overreach

Hunt: Governor signs laws advancing trans agenda, sparking constitutional challenge

TownHall.com, Approved, Commentary, State / / , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just as a refreshing wave of reality-based, commonsense policy seems to be sweeping the nation, Colorado lawmakers are doubling down on “trans” policies that can only be described as absurd, unconscionable and unconstitutional.

For those of us in Colorado who still believe in parental rights and free speech, the speed at which our state is descending into a dystopian nightmare is terrifying.

Here in Colorado, transactivists control the State House, the Senate, and the governor’s seat. Whatever they want to do, however far they want to push the envelope, they can, and they did this legislative cycle. Some of the bills are so radical that even California’s governor refused to sign similar legislation.

Hunt: Governor signs laws advancing trans agenda, sparking constitutional challenge Read More »

Cities sue Polis over housing mandate, cite threat to local control

The Colorado Sun, Approved, Local, State / / , , , , , , , ,

Six “home rule” cities in Colorado are suing the state, alleging it has unconstitutionally usurped their local authority over land use and zoning as it pushes communities to allow denser housing development. 

The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of an executive order Gov. Jared Polis signed last week to withhold some state grants from local communities if they fail to implement a slate of recent housing laws. The cities say the order encroaches on the powers of both the General Assembly and the judiciary to say what the law is and is “beyond the governor’s authority.”

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Bent County declares Second Amendment Sanctuary, defies SB25-003

denvergazette.com, Local, State / / , , , , , , , , ,

An eastern Colorado county has passed a resolution declaring itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” in opposition to a bill passed by the legislature this year that requires individuals to participate in safety training to be eligible to purchase certain types of firearms.

On May 15, the Bent County Board of Commissioners and Bent County Sheriff unanimously passed a resolution declaring that no county resources will be used to enforce provisions of Senate Bill 003 that have not been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bent County declares Second Amendment Sanctuary, defies SB25-003 Read More »

Governor’s executive order threatening loss of funding draws fire for overriding local housing control

CBS Colorado, Approved, Local, State / / , , , , , , ,

Gov. Jared Polis is putting local governments on notice: Either they comply with state housing laws, or they risk losing at least $100 million a year in state funding.

The governor signed an executive order that takes the battle over local control to a new level. Over the last two years, he’s signed bills regarding residential occupancy limits and accessory dwelling units, transit-oriented communities and manufactured homes, and even limits on staircases and parking spots.

Governor’s executive order threatening loss of funding draws fire for overriding local housing control Read More »

The COvid Chronicles May 8–15, 2020: C&C made headlines. Polis made an example. Colorado made up its mind.

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, State, Top Stories / / , , , , , , ,

The governor’s enforcers tried to make an example of C&C. Instead, they created a rallying cry.

In just seven days, Colorado witnessed threats, shutdowns, viral videos and a surge of defiance that no press conference could contain. Counties revolted, small towns reopened and sheriffs made it clear: the edicts had lost their teeth.

These are the COvid Chronicles for May 8-15, 2020…

The COvid Chronicles May 8–15, 2020: C&C made headlines. Polis made an example. Colorado made up its mind. Read More »

The COvid Chronicles May 1–7, 2020: Seven days that set the stage for open rebellion

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, State, Top Stories / / , , , , , ,

May began just like April ended – edicts from above, fear from the press and politicians telling Coloradans to stay home, shut up and stay six feet apart. But by the first week of the month, cracks were showing. 

From Castle Rock to Colorado Springs, citizens, sheriffs and small-business owners weren’t waiting for permission. They had bills to pay, kids to raise and a Constitution they weren’t willing to quarantine.

The COvid Chronicles May 1–7, 2020: Seven days that set the stage for open rebellion Read More »

Caldara: Time to see if Polis will choose his socialist friends or Colorado’s future

denvergazette.com, Approved, Commentary, State / / , , , , , ,

There are only three jobs worth having in Colorado. The first is fortunately mine.

Any person who can make a living by indulging his passion is beyond blessed. I somehow have provided for my family by fighting for personal and economic freedom in Colorado. Running Independence Institute, Colorado’s machine to promote liberty principles over party, politicians and special interests, is a dream come true.

The next coolest job in Colorado is quarterback for the Denver Broncos, which, by the way, I would be totally awesome at.

The only other job I’d want here would be governor, the most influential and powerful gig for changing policy and shaping the state’s future.

Caldara: Time to see if Polis will choose his socialist friends or Colorado’s future Read More »

Teller County to DOJ: Don’t punish rural communities for Denver’s sanctuary policies

KOAA News, Approved, Local / / , , , , , , , ,

TELLER COUNTY — In a letter sent to President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ), Teller County leaders are simultaneously supporting DOJ lawsuits against Colorado while at the same time asking for leniency if federal funding is cut off from the state.

The letter was written and signed by Teller County’s three commissioners and sent last week to the DOJ’s Office of Civil Rights.

The commissioners first take issue with Colorado’s recent gun control measures, going so far as to encourage the DOJ to take legal action against the state of Colorado.

Teller County to DOJ: Don’t punish rural communities for Denver’s sanctuary policies Read More »

Gazette editorial board: Veto HB 25-1147 to stop the soft-on-crime overreach

Approved, denvergazette.com, State / / , , , , , , , , ,

Our state was slammed by a crime wave a few years ago — aided and abetted by a notoriously offender- friendly, victims-be-damned Legislature — leaving it to hard-hit local governments to figure out how to respond.

With state lawmakers abandoning the crime fight on every front — hard drugs, auto theft, illegal immigration, you name it — a number of Colorado cities, commendably, took the reins.

Gazette editorial board: Veto HB 25-1147 to stop the soft-on-crime overreach Read More »

Brauchler: SB25-276 is lawmakers’ latest mockery of immigration enforcement

denvergazette.com, Approved, State / / , , , , , ,

SB 25-276 is a Democrat-only sponsored bill that attacks the rule of law and will make Colorado less safe and less just.

It contains a predictably steep, yet unquantified, unfunded mandate to counties, who fund the 23 district attorneys’ offices across Colorado. SB 276 expands the opportunity for “noncitizen defendants” to challenge every guilty plea they have entered to every class of misdemeanor, petty offense, and even municipal charges,” at any time following the entry of a guilty plea.” There is no time limitation for this challenge.

Brauchler: SB25-276 is lawmakers’ latest mockery of immigration enforcement Read More »