Washington and The West

Democratic fight tightens with DeGette in mix

Anne Mulkern — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:13:45 -0700

Rep. Diana DeGette’s name isn’t on the ballot, but part of her political future could be decided tomorrow in a vote of House Democrats. read more

Congress could act fast on stem cell research

Anne Mulkern — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:15:15 -0700

Changing the law on embryonic stem cell research will be one of the first moves taken by Congress and the Obama Administration after the...

DeGette: Congress can’t let bailout plan fail

John — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:03:48 -0600

Congresswoman Diana DeGette said this morning that elected...

BLM auctions 55,186 acres on Roan Plateau

editor — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:58:45 -0600

The federal Bureau of Land Management today auctioned 55,186 acres on the Roan Plateau for oil and gas development, reports Mark Jaffe.

The sale at the Denver Marriott West in Golden raised $114 million from a half dozen bidders.

Salazar: offshore drilling a "phantom solution"

editor — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:53:07 -0600

In back-and-forth bickering on the Senate floor Thursday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell attempted to force Democrats to vote on a measure opening up coastal waters for drilling when gas reached $4.50, $5 or even $7.50 a gallon, reports The Salt Lake Tribune.

"If $5-gallon gasoline isn't an emergency, I have to ask what is an emergency?" McConnell said.

"It's a phantom solution," countered Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., noting that such drilling would not affect gas prices in the short term. Watch video of McConnell bidding up the price, and Salazar's reactions.

Sec. of State Aspen-bound for music festival

editor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:21:30 -0600

From the U.S. Department of State...

"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joins the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Aspen Institute in an...

Colo. lodges Roan drilling protest

editor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:47:08 -0600

The state of Colorado filed one of the 17,000 protests against the Bureau of Land Management's plan to lease the Roan Plateau for drilling next...

Road plan for forests debated

editor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:24:03 -0600

Colorado and federal officials sparred with environmental groups before a national advisory committee Wednesday over a proposed rule to manage 4 million acres of roadless forests, report Anne Mulkern and Mark Jaffe.

"The state of Colorado does believe that this is a solid, sound vehicle for protecting the state's roadless areas," state Department of Natural Resources director Harris Sherman said at the meeting.

But Pam Kiely, acting director of Environment Colorado, criticized the hurried pace for approving the rule.

Eid denies Stricklin hire was political

editor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:18:46 -0600

Former Justice Department official Monica Goodling interviewed attorney Cliff Stricklin, then recommended him for the job of first assistant U.S. attorney in Colorado because he was politically suitable, a Justice Department investigation found, reports Felisa Cardona.

Stricklin, now in private practice with the Denver firm Holland & Hart, is best known for leading the prosecution team in the federal insider-trading case against former Qwest chief executive Joe Nacchio.

Interview: Ken Salazar seeks energy solution

editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:44:36 -0600

To those whose one-word solution to the U.S. energy dilemma is "drill," Sen. Ken Salazar has a one-word response: "Incomplete," reports AP.

The Colorado lawmaker says drilling for more domestic oil and gas is part of the solution, and he's joining fellow Democrats to push for extension of renewable energy tax credits.

Republicans, bolstered by the public's frustrations with high pump prices, want to lift restrictions on drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"There are those within the GOP who've taken the position that we will drill our way out of energy dependence. I think that answer is incomplete," Salazar said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Those who come down to the proposition who say our answer is one word, 'drill,' are not being forthright with what we have to do in the long term."