Rocky Mountain Politics

How duplexes made Littleton a battleground in the state's housing wars - The Colorado Sun After months of acrimony, Littleton voters this November will get a more direct say in city housing policy through city charter amendment 3A and a slate of mayor and council races that have become a referendum on growth.

"In December 2019, a proposed community of 85 relatively affordable homes was on the cusp of approval in the south Denver suburbs." #denver

"Government Shutdown Impacting National Parks, Hundreds at Town Hall Call for Denver to end Flock Contract, Polis Seeks $10 million During SNAP Freeze, First Degree Arson Charge After 2024 Loveland Fire" #coleg

Ahead of Mayor Race, Noncitizen New Yorkers Grapple with a Voting Policy Failure to Launch | Bolts For a brief moment, it seemed some noncitizen New Yorkers may gain the right to vote locally. But with the law struck down earlier this year, they remain at the margins.

"Ahead of Mayor Race, Noncitizen New Yorkers Grapple with a Voting Policy Failure to Launch" #coleg

Colorado Democratic lawmakers, including from the Western Slope, face transparency questions after attending Vail retreat with lobbyists | SummitDaily.com A group of Democratic Colorado lawmakers is continuing to face questions about transparency after attending a retreat with lobbyists earlier this month in Vail.  At least 17 state Democrats took part in the retreat, which...

"A group of Democratic Colorado lawmakers is continuing to face questions about transparency after attending a retreat with lobbyists earlier this month in Vail. At least 17 state Democrats took part in the retreat, which was held over the Oct."

PERRY: Get real — Stories from your neighbors about GOP healthcare cuts - Sentinel Colorado "This is life or death. I don't want to become homeless because I get in a car accident. We've worked all our lives, and now we're being punished."

"Aurora single mom and teacher Jeannie Galacci cares for her teenage son with Down syndrome. Medicaid allows her to be his certified nursing assistant."

Pueblo 2025 City Council candidate questionnaire: Dianne Danti KRCC News sent detailed surveys about some of the most critical issues facing city leaders to the candidates running for Pueblo City Council. Here's how candidates responded, in their own words.

"KRCC News sent detailed surveys about some of the most critical issues facing city leaders to the candidates running for Pueblo City Council. Here’s how District 1 candidate Dianne Danti responded, in her own words."

Immigrants detained in Aurora opt for voluntary deportations As ICE keeps immigrants detained longer and moves to swiftly deport them, a rising number of immigrants detained in Aurora opt to voluntarily leave, data shows.

"Almost exactly six years after he entered the United States, Ramon Paredes Calderon asked an Aurora immigration judge to send him back to Mexico." #denver

Manny Rutinel has said a lot about the meat and dairy industries. Now he wants to represent Colorado’s ag capital in Congress. - The Colorado Sun The Democratic state representative's advocacy in the animal agriculture arena dates back to at least his time as an undergraduate student. He has pushed for a transition to plant-based food.

"Manny Rutinel has said a lot about the meat and dairy industries. Now he wants to represent Colorado’s ag capital in Congress." #coleg

"Listeners: Top listeners: KGNU Broadcast Live On-Air 8:30 am - 9:30 am 9:30 am - 12:00 pm 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Denver Mayor Restores Some Budget Cuts at Council Request." #copolitics

Notables: 25 years of Legislative Bills that Shaped Colorado - Yellow Scene Magazine From marijuana legalization to marriage equality, Colorado has led bold, people-first policy change for 25 years. Explore key legislation and ballot measures that shaped the state’s progressive legacy—and how Yellow Scene has covered every step of the political journey.

"Coloradans have always had a knack for voting with their conscience, not just their party.* From the State Capitol to the ballot box, our history shows a consistent theme: we care about people."

Dark money group weighed involvement in Boulder City Council 2025 election One Main Street considered endorsing candidates in Boulder’s city council elections before deciding to step back.

"A dark money group called One Main Street, which has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years backing moderate Democrats in state and local races, considered getting involved in this year’s Boulder City Council election." #boulder

"Longmont rejects compost site plan, SNAP cuts, Boulder Airport to transition to no-lead gas, UndocuAmerica monologues come to CU Boulder" #boulder

As Minneapolis Votes, Some Struggle to Keep Police Violence in the Spotlight | Bolts Five years after George Floyd, the mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives.

"This article is part of our coverage of law enforcement issues in the municipal races of 2025. Read our stories on New York City* and *Seattle*." #copolitics

"Listeners: Top listeners: KGNU Broadcast Live On-Air 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm By mail, October 27Find drop box & polling locations: sos.colorado.govGoVoteColorado.gov for more.You can vote in person or by mail."

Denver’s industrial market rebounds with completed projects Driven by companies like Trader Joe's, PepsiCo and Philip Morris, reports from CBRE and JLL say commercial real estate in Denver gained third-quarter momentum.

"In the Denver area, shopping centers are frequently changing hands, new construction or redevelopment projects are emerging and restaurant owners continue to grapple with rising costs." #boulder

Child care on the ballot: Eight Colorado communities seek new funding - ChalkbeatclockCST_ Eight Colorado communities are asking voters to consider lodging or sales taxes that could provide new funding for child care initiatives.

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Propositions LL and MM will decide the future of Colorado’s free school meals program Voters approved Healthy Meals for All and then food prices and lunch lines went way up — now they are being asked to tax the state’s wealthiest to pay for it.

"It’s lunch time at York International School, a kindergarten through 12th grade public school in Thornton, and the cafeteria is packed. Sixth- and seventh-graders share what they are having for lunch: Cheese toast and blueberries." #boulder

Layoffs hit Colorado programs for substance abuse and mental health services CPR talks to Rep. Pettersen about Trump’s staffing cuts to places that help Coloradans deal with mental health or drug problems.

"One Colorado lawmaker is sounding the alarm about layoffs at a federal agency that deals with substance abuse and mental health." #coleg

"Threats to SNAP Benefits, Unemployment Benefits During Government Shutdown, A New Colorado 14er, Colorado Earthquake" #boulder

Boulder begins planning to eliminate leaded fuel at city airport by 2030 Boulder’s airport faces a 2030 deadline to switch to unleaded fuel under new state law and mounting community concern.

"For years, the fight over the future of Boulder Municipal Airport has centered on one big question: Should the city close it? The debate has mostly focused on the housing potential of the 179-acre site." #boulder

County pushback on solar projects slows climate progress, Colorado report says Colorado Energy Office research was tailored to aid governor in dictating solar siting, much as he has done with housing, trade groups say

"Colorado must triple its wind generation and quintuple its solar capacity to meet 2040 clean energy targets and that will call for a lot of land — land developers say it is hard to come by in some counties." #boulder

Xcel considering safety power outages in Denver The Xcel power shutoffs would begin at 11 a.m. Monday and last through 6 p.m., when weather conditions are expected to improve.

"Xcel customers in the Denver area could lose power Monday during “critical fire weather,” according to the company." #boulder

Carman: Presidential prospect Pete Buttigieg came to town and underwhelmed Buttigieg and most of the other Democratic presidential hopefuls and congressional candidates are failing to connect with voters

"Pete Buttigieg came to Denver last week and left me cold. Don’t misunderstand, I like the guy, and he seems like he would be a great neighbor." #denver

After a $3 million renovation, "cursed" Capitol Hill mansion is ready to reopen Denver's "haunted" Peabody-Whitehead Mansion is finally opening again after 12 year renovation

"Ira Wertenteil chooses to believe the Peabody-Whitehead Mansion has no ghostly grudge against him. Still, he prefers the idea of ghosts terrorizing him to the idea of being punished by God for some crime he’s oblivious to." #denver

Top 5 most-read stories last week: Weather outlook, fatal I-70 crash and skater moose rescued | SummitDaily.com Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com from Oct. 12-18.  1. Two possible storms could bring snow to Colorado as new long-range forecast gives a glimpse at winter outlook  While a...

"Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com from Oct. 12-18."

Holbrook, Flynn made private correspondence into public testimony "Antiphon" co-authors saw hope in the possibility that others might benefit from letters charting their journey through trauma.

"Christina Holbrook* graduated with a BA from Wellesley College and spent most of her career in New York City involved in the printing and publishing of art and photography books. She now lives in Breckenridge, Colorado, with her husband, Alan."

Sundance Film Festival-inspired class coming to CU Boulder A Sundance-inspired film class, student internships and growing enrollment — these items are top of mind for leaders in the arts and film at the University of Colorado Boulder as the Sundance Film Festival gets ready to come to Boulder.

"A Sundance-inspired film class, student internships and growing enrollment — these items are top of mind for leaders in the arts and film at the University of Colorado Boulder as the Sundance Film Festival gets ready to come to Boulder."

Young Republican leaders expose the party’s ugly rhetoric Other Republicans have been dismissive, but the language used by a group of leaders is indicative of a much broader belief within the party

"If Republicans do not want to be called Nazis, it would help if they stopped declaring “I love Hitler."

CU Regent Callie Rennison will not seek re-election in 2026 University of Colorado regent and board chair Callie Rennison will not seek re-election in 2026, her office announced Sunday evening. 

"CU Regent Callie Rennison will not seek re-election in 2026" #boulder

Proposed mega-casino and resort worries some neighbors in Central City The proposed Gregory Gulch Gaming Resort, a megacasino anchored by a 27-story hotel tower, has some neighbors worried about impacts to Central City if it's built in the mountain town.

"CENTRAL CITY — Bob Powe likes to sit on his front porch in the mornings, coffee in hand, and watch from his house on Casey Street as the sun slowly skirts the ridgeline across Gregory Gulch." #denver