Rocky Mountain Politics

Colorado newspaper asks local government for $350K to publish 'good news' The news behind the news in Colorado

"Should a county government pay upwards of $350,000 to a local newspaper publisher to help the county spread “good news?” That’s a question commissioners in conservative Douglas County just south of Denver were set to debate on Tuesday."

The Unaffiliated | Why Colorado tax revenue was so susceptible to the “big, beautiful bill” - The Colorado Sun Plus: The Colorado GOP’s $104,000 legal debt. Colorado attorney general enacts hiring freeze. Jason Crow on Bill Maher.

"Why Colorado tax revenue was so susceptible to the “big, beautiful bill”" #coleg

These American Crossroads - Yellow Scene Magazine These American Crossroads: Stories of Resistance and Persistence from the United States' Heartland President Trump's federal administration makes no

"These American Crossroads" #boulder

"Boulder Braces for Budget Cuts; Uncollared Wolf Remedy Hindered By Wildfires" #boulder

Rio Blanco fires reach nearly 60,000 acres combined; Evacuation shelters established in Craig and Rangely | SummitDaily.com The Elk and Lee fires in Rio Blanco County remained zero percent contained as of Thursday morning, with hot, dry and windy weather conditions worsening the spread that occurred on Wednesday, according to a news...

"Rio Blanco fires reach nearly 60,000 acres combined; Evacuation shelters established in Craig and Rangely"

The Sunriser | Polis calls special session to cut budget - The Colorado Sun Plus: Teller County family ordered to remove greenhouse, a Yellowstone perspective on Colorado wolves, DIA thinks about nuclear and more

"Good morning, Colorado. Today marks 10 months without a drop of alcohol for me. I stopped drinking last October when I realized alcohol wasn’t adding anything to my life and it felt like the right time to try a year without it." #boulder

The Outsider | Maintaining the momentum for public lands as perils abound Plus: Addressing atomic angst at Rocky Flats, helping teens belong in the outdoors, Aspen planner builds a tool to protect mountain town culture

"Maintaining the momentum for public lands as perils abound" #boulder

"In an effort to amplify the growing community response to federal policies that are impacting everyday people across Colorado, KGNU continues to produce the weekly “Resistance Calendar” to air and post to our website on Thursdays." #denver

"Polis calls for special session; Wildfires on the Western Slope" #coleg

Colorado could lose $156 million federal solar grant National news reports say Colorado and other states are about to lose $156 million federal EPA grants to help low-income families get cheaper solar power.

"Colorado could lose $156 million federal solar grant under EPA changes"

Colorado governor calls special legislative session to deal with nearly $1B budget hole, artificial intelligence law - The Colorado Sun Lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Aug. 21 mainly to deal with the effects of the so-called big, beautiful bill, congressional Republicans’ federal tax and spending measure. They’ll also debate what to do about Colorado’s first-in-the-nation law, which is set to take effect in February.

"Colorado governor calls special legislative session to deal with nearly $1B budget hole, artificial intelligence law" #coleg

In private group chat, Republican state lawmakers in Colorado made crude jokes about a Democratic colleague’s clothing - The Colorado Sun The photo wasn’t just shared internally. Within an hour, it was posted online by an anonymous social media account with conservative followers. 

"The afternoon of April 11, 2025, was typical for a Friday in the Colorado House. Lawmakers debated bills and took votes on the chamber floor before adjourning to their districts for the weekend. Democratic state Rep." #coleg

The Temperature | New data on kids and guns  Plus: Colorado’s last-second Medicaid maneuver

"Hello, readers, and welcome to another edition of The Temperature. Shall we compare Leadville’s St." #coleg

Don’t expect Colorado to join the redistricting arms race Early polling suggests Democrats are favored to take back the House, but Republican redistricting could change that.

"This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at rmpbs." #coleg

Don’t expect Colorado to join the redistricting arms race Early polling suggests Democrats are favored to take back the House, but Republican redistricting could change that.

"This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at rmpbs." #coleg

Many new Colorado laws take effect Aug. 6. Here are some you should know about. - The Colorado Sun Labeling meat products. Nuclear energy as a "clean" source. A state mushroom.

"This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at kunc.org." #copolitics

The Sunriser | Trump’s EPA could cancel Colorado’s $156 million solar grant Plus: Keystone homeowners sue Vail Resorts, all of Colorado’s new laws, wolf blamed for sheep deaths and much more

"Good morning, Colorado Sun friends, and happy hump day. This weekend I accomplished a major goal I set last summer after my second knee replacement in three months: get back above 14,000 feet." #boulder

Gov. Polis calls up legislators to address $783 million shortfall sparked by Trump tax bill - Sentinel Colorado "If we were to wait until next year, it would be a lot more draconian in terms of cuts."

"Gov. Polis calls up legislators to address $783 million shortfall sparked by Trump tax bill" #coleg

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis calls legislature back for special session to deal with budget fallout of GOP tax law  | SummitDaily.com Gov. Jared Polis is calling Colorado lawmakers back to the state Capitol this month for a special session to address the budget fallout from congressional Republicans’ federal tax law.  Polis made the announcement on Wednesday,...

"Governor Jared Polis is calling Colorado lawmakers back to the state Capitol this month for a special session to address the budget fallout from congressional Republicans’ federal tax law." #coleg

"Colorado, Denver, on DOJ sanctuary jurisdiction list; Wildfires on western slope" #boulder

Colorado Has Sued the Trump Administration 33 Times in Six Months | Westword Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has sued the Trump administration 33 times over education, funding cuts, the judicial branch, DOGE and elections.

"Since Donald Trump took office in January, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has kept the Trump Administration busy with lawsuits related to education, healthcare, workforce cuts and elections." #boulder

Hot Colorado labor trend alert: Working past 65 - The Colorado Sun Those 65 and older are Colorado’s fastest growing age group of workers. “The 70s are the new 60s,” says one 73-year-old worker from Aurora.

"A Colorado Sun series. Read more. Colorado is getting older, rapidly." #denver

The Sunriser | Summer slump in the high country - The Colorado Sun Plus: Weiser’s record suing the Trump administration, working past 65 is normal, What’s Working and more news

"Last evening’s low 80s and light breezes made for the perfect atmosphere for what has become one of my favorite summer traditions — paella night in our friend’s backyard." #denver

A new strategy emerges to reform health care — ballot measures in multiple states to provide insurance for everyone Long before any campaign gets started, the one-payer idea is drawing criticism from Colorado groups representing insurers and hospitals.

"A couple dozen people gathered in The Kirk of Bonnie Brae church last Friday in Denver, with another couple dozen online from around the country. Their ambitious task: to fundamentally reform health care." #copolitics

Colorado attorney general lawsuits against Trump tracker - The Colorado Sun The Colorado Sun will update this tracker of Democrat Phil Weiser’s lawsuits against the Trump administration

"Since President Donald Trump took office in January, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has sued to block the president’s policies 33* times, according to his office. And he’s mostly won."

Could tracking denied gun sales help prevent tragedies? Experts think so Gun purchase denials — which are immediately reported to local law enforcement, federal immigration officials and some prosecutors — could be useful intelligence. But is anyone making use of the data?

"Each day in Colorado, nearly 14 people who should not legally own a gun try to buy one anyway. As many as five of those people each week are recent arrivals from foreign countries whose backgrounds are largely unknown to authorities."

Solidarity, Bipartisanship, and Satanic Protest in Kansas - Yellow Scene Magazine The red sun still laying low over the far away horizon, rolling hills and glowing roads guide the way as you arrive in Topeka, Kansas. Navigating the

"The red sun still laying low over the far away horizon, rolling hills and glowing roads guide the way as you arrive in Topeka, Kansas. Navigating the sleepy avenues toward the state’s Capitol." #copolitics

"08_04_25_headlines Ainsley Coogan Wildfires* The Elk fire burning in Western Colorado has expanded to some 2,000 acres, and has burned at least three homes." #coleg

The Justice Department seeks voter and election information from at least 19 states, AP finds The requests have come in letters, emails and phone calls. The specifics vary, but the target is consistent: The U.S. Department of Justice is ramping up an effort to get voter data and other election information from the states.

"The Justice Department seeks voter and election information from at least 19 states, AP finds" #boulder

Texas fired the first shot in the redistricting wars. Could Colorado join the fray? Former Rep. Yadira Caraveo, who’s trying to win back her seat, wants to toss the independent redistricting commission. It’s a long shot

"As we head into the 2026 redistricting war between the states — beginning suitably in the Texas legislature, at Donald Trump’s behest, during a special session meant to address the recent floods — Democrats have only one option." #coleg