Colorado Capitol Insider From Politics West

Please insert speech here, governor

Tim Hoover — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:47:46 -0600

Gov. Bill Ritter's big moment speaking before a crowd of 84,000 at Invesco Field at Mile High last week came with a tense surprise.

Campaigning or self-congratulation? You decide. (redux)

jfender — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:05:45 -0600

The recent e-mail messages sent to those who've signed up for Gov. Bill Ritter's e-newsletter seem innocuous enough:

Schwarzenegger a TABOR fan?

John — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:28:17 -0600

Say this about California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: The...

Ritter, Schwarzenegger: here to pump up your tires

John — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:20:45 -0600

Gov. Bill Ritter is an eco-conscious guy.

Labor-backed fraud measure certified for ballot

editor — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:40:05 -0600

A labor-backed measure that proposes to hold executives criminally liable for corporate wrongdoings has been certified for the November ballot,...

Sides closer on oil, gas rules

editor — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:40:48 -0600

Colorado's nine-month slog to develop new oil and gas drilling regulations enters its final deliberations Tuesday with the opposing sides getting a bit closer., reports Mark Jaffe.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is set to review final proposals for health, safety and drinking water protections.

The recommendations by the commission staff reflect changes offered by the industry, environmental groups and local governments.

Initiative 100: Guidance awaited on seizing cars

editor — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:06:02 -0600

Denver's civic and political leaders said Wednesday that they were waiting for direction from the city attorney's office on how to proceed following passage of a controversial ballot initiative that would require police to impound cars driven by unlicensed drivers, reports Christopher Osher.

The city attorney's office had counseled before Tuesday's election that Initiative 100 could pose constitutional hurdles because it might pre-empt federal immigration law. The office also had said the measure might violate the separation of powers by unduly influencing the allocation of law enforcement sources and treading on a prerogative of the executive branch.

Bruce's tenure in House brief

editor — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:45:49 -0600

In the end, Douglas Bruce's own worst enemy was Douglas Bruce.

The GOP lawmaker from Colorado Springs - appointed to fill a vacancy in state House District 15 last year - on Tuesday was denied a full two-year term in office in his first election. His Republican primary opponent and observers in El Paso County said it was Bruce's antics at the Capitol that sank his political fortunes.

Bruce's opponent, Mark Waller, held a comfortable lead all night and won 52 percent to 48 percent.

Bruce would not answer questions when reached at home Wednesday.

Denver primary counting pace a worry

editor — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:37:58 -0600

With a turnout of only about 10,000 voters for the primary election Tuesday, Denver political observers might have thought they'd get early results, including the outcome of a hot-button issue touching on immigration, reports Chris Osher.

Instead, the count dragged on until 1 a.m., and anyone watching the Denver Elections Division website had no way of knowing how close election workers were to finishing at any given point.

Bruce falls behind in effort to keep his legislative seat

editor — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:51:03 -0600

Colorado Springs voters appeared to be giving state Rep. Douglas Bruce the boot Tuesday night.

With 50 of 54 precincts reporting at press time, Bruce's challenger, Mark Waller, was leading 54 percent to 46 percent in the Republican primary for House District 15.