Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israeli citizens, the violence has escalated dramatically and painfully, memorialized in brutal photos. Each new atrocity and violation of our common humanity seems to eclipse the one before it with no end in sight.
This fall, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston submitted his first budget proposal, which he described as a “moral document” that reflects the issues that are prioritized by his administration and the services that are provided for the residents. Several City Council members quickly lamented what they said were shortcomings in funding for rental assistance and other social programs, while Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul Lopez said the proposed budget lacks critical spending to safeguard election security.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has enjoyed the plethora of activities he has been fulfilling during his first three months in office. He has been hiring staff members to fill cabinet positions, hosting town halls to connect with Denver residents, determining the priorities of his first budget, and implementing the details of his homelessness initiative. “I love that we’re moving at break-neck speed on the city’s toughest problems,” says Johnston. “We go from working on community economic development in Northeast Denver, to public safety in Southwest Denver, to the revitalization of downtown, to finding a new home for the Broncos stadium.”
The 2023 Colorado legislative session opened in January with high hopes by Democrats, who had won historic House and Senate majorities in the November 2022 elections. Those hopes were tempered by the late evening of May 8, when the session ended in acrimony and recriminations after lawmakers struggled to resolve the two biggest issues of the session.
Many homeowners throughout Colorado were alarmed to discover that the home valuations they received in May were disproportionately higher than usual and could burden them with exorbitant property taxes.
With two recent school shootings happening less than two miles from the Capitol and with residents becoming outraged about the rising rates of gun violence, Democrats in the Colorado Legislature have introduced a monumental gun control package consisting of four bills that began progressing through the Legislature in March.
By April 4, Denver voters will make their decisions to determine the mayor of the city, the councilmembers of their districts, and the fate of the Park Hill Golf Course.
The best one-word description of the 2023 Colorado General Assembly is simply—new.
United States Congressman Jason Crow is the co-sponsor of a bill that would prevent law enforcement officers from needing to respond to calls involving mental health crises. The bill, which was passed by the House, would provide local governments with grants to form mental health units, instead of police, to respond to certain 911 calls.
How do you feel about being able to buy wine in grocery stores? Should taxpayers help pay for free school meals for all kids? Is it time to legalize psychedelic mushrooms? You and other Denver voters have the chance to decide on those issues and a dozen other ballot questions in the November 8 election.
As the impacts of climate change are increasing, a recent Supreme Court ruling means the EPA can no longer require power plants to reduce carbon emissions. While mass shootings and gun violence are on the rise, the Bruen ruling makes it more difficult for states and municipalities to implement local gun control policies. And for the first time in U.S. history, the Supreme Court took away an existing right.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision in July reversed Roe v. Wade after 50 years of legal abortions nationwide, Colorado remains among the 24 states with laws protecting reproductive rights.
