Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Public safety

Bipartisan Colorado Bill Targets Tougher Prison Time for Child Trafficking Predators
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Bipartisan Colorado Bill Targets Tougher Prison Time for Child Trafficking Predators

By: Marianne Goodland | The Denver Gazette Colorado legislators on Monday announced a proposal to ramp up the penalties for human trafficking of children. The proposal, which received the backing of Democratic and Republican leaders in the House, will address one of the many problems when dealing with individuals who buy children for sexual exploitation — penalties so low that most offenders get probation, not real prison or jail time, according to the bill’s backers. At a news conference attended by dozens of law enforcement officials, district attorneys and victim advocates, 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason pointed out that Colorado is in the top 10 states for human trafficking. The measure goes after people who pay for kids for sexual gratification...
First Fatal Mountain Lion Encounter In Decades Reported In Larimer County
DENVER7, Approved, Local

First Fatal Mountain Lion Encounter In Decades Reported In Larimer County

By Stephanie Butzer | Denver7 The last fatal mountain lion attack in the state happened in 1999. This is a developing story. LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — A woman died after a suspected mountain lion attack south of Glen Haven in unincorporated Larimer County, authorities say. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) posted at 5 p.m. Thursday that it was responding to the area for a "suspected mountain lion attack" and Denver7 confirmed around 7 p.m. that it was fatal. The last fatal mountain lion attack in the state happened in 1999. During a press conference in Glen Haven Thursday evening, CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said a group of hikers on Crosier Mountain Trail came across a mountain lion near a person on the ground around 12:15 p.m. READ THE FULL A...
New Colorado Laws Take Effect Jan. 1 With Sweeping Changes for Health Care Housing and Gun Shows
Colorado Politics, Approved, State

New Colorado Laws Take Effect Jan. 1 With Sweeping Changes for Health Care Housing and Gun Shows

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics A new year means new laws in Colorado, covering everything from health insurance and gun shows to “junk fees” and protections for wild bison. Here’s a list of laws passed during the 2025 legislative session that will go into effect on Jan. 1. House Bill 1002: Medical necessity determination insurance coverage This law codifies and clarifies mental health parity requirements for insurers, ensuring that individuals receive the same coverage for mental health and behavioral services as they do for physical care. House Bill 1030: Accessibility standards in building codes This law requires new local building codes to meet or exceed international accessibility standards. It prohibits them from providing less protection than ...
Colorado Voters Could Decide Future Of ICE And Local Law Enforcement Cooperation
DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Voters Could Decide Future Of ICE And Local Law Enforcement Cooperation

By Ryan Fish | Denver7 Initiative, currently undergoing signature verification, would include offenders charged with a violent crime or repeat felony. DENVER — Next fall, Colorado voters could decide whether local law enforcement should be required to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in certain cases. The proposed ballot measure would require law enforcement notify the Department of Homeland Security if a person “not lawfully present in the United States”—or with an “unknown” lawful presence after a “reasonable effort” to determine it—is charged with a violent crime or if the person has been convicted of a prior felony. Conservative non-profit Advance Colorado is pushing for the p...
Lawmakers demand Polis reverse electrification push after shutoffs
Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

Lawmakers demand Polis reverse electrification push after shutoffs

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado lawmakers are pressing Gov. Jared Polis to reverse course on electrification after recent power shutoffs raised fresh concerns about grid reliability and public safety. “We write to express grave concerns over your administration’s aggressive push for statewide unfunded electrification mandates,” the lawmakers wrote in a Dec. 23 letter. “This agenda, driven by crony politics and excused by nonscience climate alarmism, favors select industries at the expense of Colorado families and businesses.” They warn the state’s energy agenda “is economically harmful and endangers lives by further straining an already fragile electric grid.” The letter was signed by Reps. Ken DeGraaf (HD-22), Brandi Bradley (HD-39), Scott Botto...
The Naughty List is Filled with Sanctuary Cities And States this Year
Daily Wire, Approved, National

The Naughty List is Filled with Sanctuary Cities And States this Year

By Jennie Taer | The Daily Wire Santa’s naughty list this year includes several sanctuary cities and states that allowed illegal immigrant criminals to roam their streets, many of whom went on to commit more egregious crimes. Sanctuary cities and states adopt policies that prevent local police from notifying federal immigration authorities about the looming release of illegal immigrants from local jails. They also bar federal authorities from entering jails to interview illegal immigrant suspects. The Trump administration has sued several sanctuary jurisdictions, including Minnesota, New York City, Boston, Illinois, and Los Angeles, over the policies. These are some of the worst offenders. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE DAILY WIRE
Antisemitic Threats Force Early Closure Of Jewish Center In Denver
DENVER7, Approved, Local

Antisemitic Threats Force Early Closure Of Jewish Center In Denver

By Jeff Anastasio | Denver7 “Antisemitism continues to show up here in Colorado, and today’s incident is another troubling example,” wrote Brandon Rattiner, Director, Jewish Community Relations Council. DENVER – JEWISHcolorado and Staenberg-Loup Jewish Center closed early Tuesday and will remain closed through Wednesday after receiving “repeated antisemitic and threatening phone calls,” according to the Jewish Community Relations Council. A digital message about the early closure went out to the community and Denver7 followed up with JEWISHcolorado, which said the calls, from an unidentified caller, began around 3 p.m. Tuesday. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT DENVER7
Suspect in Custody Following Series of Intentional Fires in Aurora
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Suspect in Custody Following Series of Intentional Fires in Aurora

By Tori Mason | CBS Colorado A man is in custody after investigators say he set a string of fires over the past week in a residential area near East 16th Avenue and North Norfolk Street in Aurora. Michael Anthony Lopez, 30, was arrested Tuesday on multiple arson charges, including second and fourth-degree arson. Investigators say the fires targeted a wide range of property, including vegetation, portable toilets, vehicles, and both the exterior and interior of apartment buildings. Aurora Fire Rescue responded repeatedly over the last week, limiting damage while officers canvassed the neighborhood and gathered evidence. Neighbors say the fear of another attack kept them up at night. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO
Evacuations Lifted After Wildfire Contained West Of Boulder
CBS Colorado, Approved, Local

Evacuations Lifted After Wildfire Contained West Of Boulder

By Austen Erblat, Sarah Horbacewicz | CBS Colorado Evacuations have been lifted for an area west of Boulder due to a wildfire on Monday evening, Boulder County officials said. County officials said the evacuation orders were in place in the area of 519 Wild Turkey Trail in Fourmile Canyon. As of 10:30 p.m. the fire was 100% contained with about 3 acres burned. Boulder County Evacuees are being told to avoid Wild Turkey Trail and take Evening Star Road for evacuations. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO
Colorado Risks $24M in Federal Funds as thousands of Commercial Driver’s Licenses Were Issued Illegally
DENVER7, Approved, State

Colorado Risks $24M in Federal Funds as thousands of Commercial Driver’s Licenses Were Issued Illegally

By: The Associated Press | Denver7 DENVER (AP) — The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation threatened Monday to withhold $24 million in federal funding from the state of Colorado for what he described as a slow response to a major violation of federal commercial driver's license regulations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pointed to a nationwide audit conducted in October that found about 22% of the commercial licenses doled out by Colorado to immigrants were done so illegally, many to Mexican nationals — a practice that's prohibited under federal law. Duffy accused Colorado of “slow walking” the required purge of these licenses. He said the state has failed to complete a full audit, provide a complete accounting of affected drivers, or revoke the inv...