Pat Steadman

Photos: John Hickenlooper signs Colorado Civil Unions Act into law

It's only fitting that the acme of Governor John Hickenlooper's recent political responsibilities came in a building called History Colorado. On Thursday, before a crowd of hundreds lining railings three stories up and jostling for a view, Hickenlooper signed the Colorado Civil Unions Act into law. ... More >>

Civil unions bill on way to governor's desk, One Colorado plans celebration event

It's been a long time coming. After a bill to legalize civil unions in Colorado fell short in both 2011 and last year, the measure finally passed the Colorado House today. Next, the legislation heads to the desk of Governor John Hickenlooper, who's promised to sign it. This breakthrough delights B ... More >>

Wilson Chandler, unhappy Nugget, stranded in Denver at NBA trade deadline

Denver blog posts hit nothing but net. Denver Stiffs' Nate Timmons correctly predicts that the Nuggets would stand pat at the trade deadline. Colorado Pols on Senator Pat Steadman's call to trash antiquated "immorality laws." Denver Frank offers an acoustic singalong on "Get Low." Sweaty.

Amendment 64 Task Force: Recommendations made and pending, meeting schedule update

For the past month, members of the Governor John Hickenlooper-appointed Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force have been meeting to discuss how they would like to see the state's recreational cannabis industry proceed. Early on, the task force was divided into five working groups, all charged with e ... More >>

Scott Gessler: Ten politicos weigh in on Secretary of State's first years in office

We recently profiled Colorado's Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who has received a great deal of attention due to allegations of corruption and accusations that he has suppressed voters. In our reporting, we got perspectives from many local politicians and elected officials on Gessler's first ye ... More >>

Scott Gessler: Legislators ask state to take first step in potential spending audit

Secretary of State Scott Gessler is facing criminal and ethics investigations into his alleged misuse of public dollars. Now, he could face an additional review from the state auditor's office, with legislators yesterday approving the first step of the process.

Marijuana: Amendment 64 study authors defend higher revenues than state predicted

Update:A Colorado Center on Law and Policy study predicting the economic impact of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, has become a political football for proponents and opponents. Now, CCLP reps are defending the methodology of the report, whose totals differ from those of state ... More >>

Cool! Katie Reinisch moves from the Colorado Legislature to Red Mango

Katie Reinisch kept her cool through four years at the Colorado Legislature, when she was communications director for the Senate Democrats, so it's not surprising that she's having a blast running her own frozen-yogurt spot. "It's so fun, and I'm learning so much," she says. "I'm actually creating j ... More >>

PrideFest 2012 weekend: hotter (and more sunburned) than ever

Like the PrideFest parades and celebrations of yore, Denver's 2012 edition left me sunburned, emotionally confused, laughing and borderline crying. I was laughing because, in my hour or so of parade watching, I saw at least ten rainbow streamer-covered flatbed trucks jammed with tiny under ... More >>

Loud and Proud

Video: Civil unions bill dies, proponent "angry and pissed off and frustrated"

Update: In our coverage yesterday about a pro-civil unions rally on the west steps of the State Capitol (it's on view below), we asked: "Can Colorado House leaders be shamed into giving a chance to the civil unions bill?" Turns out the answer is "no." The civil unions bill died because of a procedur ... More >>

Civil unions bill: Pat Steadman calls measure's killing a disgusting spectacle

Last night, House GOP leadership killed a civil unions bill sponsored by Senator Pat Steadman by preventing a procedural vote that would have brought it to the chamber's floor today. Steadman was severely disappointed by this manner of murder, which also prevented the passage of many other bills. B ... More >>

THC driving: Schedule I and II drugs out, bill again focused entirely on pot

Senator Steve King's proposed THC driving bill is headed to the state senate floor, probably tomorrow. To clear its path, language that would have established a zero tolerance policy for all Schedule I and II drugs was stripped out Friday. As such, the proposal is very similar to one shelved in 2011 ... More >>

Drug sentencing reform bill sent to commission (and oblivion) for further study

Statehouse veterans know that the easiest way to squash a bill they don't like isn't to kill it outright but to send it out for serious "study" -- to some lonely subcommittee or outside agency, where it will languish and eventually die a slow, agonizing death from neglect. Senate Bill 163, which wou ... More >>

Civil unions bill passes Senate, sponsor hopes House lemmings won't jump off cliff

Later today, the Colorado Senate is expected to formally approve a bill that would legalize civil unions. Of course, the Senate also approved a civil unions measure last year, only to see the proposal die in a House committee, with all six Republican members voting against it. Can it avoid a similar ... More >>

LGBT advocates fight Catholic Charities' threat to stop adoptions if civil unions are legalized

Video below.​Gay advocacy group One Colorado has started an online petition to fight against what it calls "scare tactics" by Catholic Charities, whose reps testified at the Capitol last week that if lawmakers legalize civil unions, it may stop providing adoption and foster care services. Why? ... More >>

Medical marijuana banking bill dies in Senate committee

For months, Senator Pat Steadman has been talking about the need for a credit union for the medical marijuana industry. But yesterday, a proposed bill that could have paved the way for such an institution died in committee, leaving Steadman to wonder if the state can provide a solution to the MMJ in ... More >>

Drug Policy Alliance's 911 overdose bill clears Senate

In November, Art Way, manager of the Drug Policy Alliance's Colorado branch, previewed a Good Samaritan bill intended to prevent those who call 911 when a friend is overdosing from being arrested for doing so. Despite law-enforcement opposition, the bill passed the Senate yesterday -- but big obstac ... More >>

Civil unions bill approved by Senate committee in emotional session

Update: After more than six hours of grueling public testimony and three senators on the verge of tears, a Senate committee approved the Colorado Civil Unions Bill. The measure, a step toward granting same-sex couples parental and property rights similar to those enjoyed by married couples, passed ... More >>

Reader: Civil union proposal like leftovers compared to a true marriage bill

In a recent post, Senator Pat Steadman discussed the challenges that stand before his civil unions bill, whose previous version failed to get out of committee after all its GOP members rejected it. One of our readers isn't a big backer, either -- but for what appears to be a very different reason.

Medical marijuana financial co-op bill to move ahead despite risk of federal action

U.S. Attorney John Walsh's crackdown on pot shops near schools is a reminder that marijuana remains federally illegal regardless of laws in Colorado allowing its use for medical reasons. But Senator Pat Steadman, who previously criticized Walsh's action as an intrusion on state law, is committed to ... More >>

Medical marijuana seizure letters intrusion on state law, senator says

National Cannabis Industry Association exec Aaron Smith predicted that officials would speak out against seizure letters sent to 23 medical marijuana dispensaries within 1,000 of schools by U.S. Attorney John Walsh -- and now, one is doing so. Senator Pat Steadman, who's behind an MMJ financial co- ... More >>

Civil unions bill could fail again unless Republican supporters step up

Last March, Senator Pat Steadman told us he believed the civil unions bill he sponsored would pass the Colorado House, as it had the state senate, if not blocked by extremists. In the end, however, it fell one vote short in committee, with all six of the panel's GOP members rejecting it. This year, ... More >>

Medical marijuana financial co-op proposal poised to move forward

Members of the medical marijuana biz have been complaining for years about the difficulties inherent in obtaining banking services in an industry that the federal government considers illegal -- and Senator Pat Steadman has sought a fix for nearly as long. Now, on day one of Colorado's legislative s ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Senator Pat Steadman talks about pot credit unions, patient resource center

Senator Pat Steadman has been floating the idea of starting up a sort of medical marijuana center credit union for a few months now, ever since the two remaining local banks to do business with pot shops -- Colorado Springs State Bank and the Bank of Denver -- had an abrupt change in policy. But t ... More >>

Mark Ferrandino on election as House minority leader, future of civil union bill

Colorado's general assembly doesn't convene until January, but Mark Ferrandino, who represents District 2, is already moving at full speed -- and no wonder. As the newly elected House minority leader, and the first gay man to serve in this capacity, he's got a big agenda, and he's dedicated to brin ... More >>

Medical marijuana banking and Sen. Pat Steadman on menu for MMAPA breakfast

Pat Steadman.​Love some wake-and-bake continental breakfast with a little marijuana politics on a Saturday morning? You're in luck. Senator Pat Steadman will be speaking tomorrow at the new offices of the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of America (MMAPA) for the nonprofit's open-house b ... More >>

Medical marijuana credit union: Senator Pat Steadman on needs & challenges of proposal

Pat Steadman.​The Bank of Denver's decision to close its medical marijuana accounts, following a similar move by Colorado Springs State Bank, has put plenty of MMJ businesses in a tight spot. Senator Pat Steadman is considering legislation to authorize a credit union devoted to the industry. ... More >>

Colorado's probate courts riddled with neglect, lack of accountability, report finds

Flickr​Colorado does a miserable job of monitoring the guardians and conservators who control the finances -- and, in many cases, the living conditions -- of incapacitated adults, minor wards and other vulnerable populations, according to a scathing report released yesterday by the Office of t ... More >>

THC driving limit: Task Force member says no recommendation wouldn't stop new bill

​Yesterday, the Drug Policy Task Force met to consider THC driving limits. The DUID-marijuana working group studying the subject couldn't agree on a proposal last week, and Task Force member Senator Pat Steadman thinks its inability to do so may prevent THC-driving legislation from being bless ... More >>

Medical marijuana cultivation no different than other pot grows, says U.S. Attorneys Office

A 2009 weed bust.​U.S. Attorney John Walsh's letter objecting to elements of HB 1043, a bill meant to clean up parts of last year's medical marijuana rules, has alarmed activists and confused legislators like Senator Pat Steadman, the measure's co-sponsor. Could dispensary raids like those tak ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Does U.S. Attorney John Walsh's letter signal end of federal MMJ truce?

John Walsh.​HB 1043, a bill sponsored by Representative Tom Massey and Senator Pat Steadman to clean up last year's medical marijuana regulations, seemed to be quietly moving toward passage -- but no more. A letter from U.S. Attorney John Walsh attacking aspects of the legislation call into qu ... More >>

Medical marijuana letter from U.S. Attorney worrisome to business, says Sen. Pat Steadman

Pat Steadman.​Earlier today, we shared a letter from U.S. Attorney John Walsh attacking elements of HB 1043, a bill intended to clean up aspects of last year's medical marijuana legislation. Senator Pat Steadman, who's co-sponsoring the measure with Representative Tom Massey, confesses to bein ... More >>

B.J. Nikkel: Facebook page claims blood will be on her hands for helping kill Civil Union Act

B.J. Nikkel.​After the Colorado Civil Union Act was approved by the Senate, sponsor Pat Steadman predicted that it would pass the House if not blocked by "extremists." However, the measure died in the judiciary committee, with B.J. Nikkel and other Republican members voting against it. The ang ... More >>

The GOP members of the House Judiciary Committee will go down in history -- as shmucks

Bob Gardner​It was a foregone conclusion from the beginning. Earlier this year, state representative Mark Ferrandino and state senator Pat Steadman introduced a bill that would have allowed civil unions in Colorado and given gay couples the same right to make a legal commitment as heterosexu ... More >>

Civil Union Act should pass in CO House if not blocked by extremists, says Sen. Pat Steadman

Pat Steadman.​Update below: Today, in all likelihood, SB 172, intended to legalize civil unions in Colorado, will be okayed by the state senate, following debate yesterday that warmed the heart of its sponsor, Senator Pat Steadman. Next, however, the bill must be approved by the Republican-con ... More >>

Civil Union Act opponent shares nature's message about the anus: Keep out! (VIDEO)

Video below.​In yesterday's Colorado Civil Union Act preview, Senator Pat Steadman, SB 172's co-sponsor, expressed confidence about the proposal's Senate odds -- and the measure did indeed pass the judiciary committee. En route, though, an opponent ID'd by Fox31 as Rosina Kovar offered testimo ... More >>

Civil Union Act debate begins: Senator Pat Steadman says public is ready for measure

Pat Steadman.​Today at 1:30 p.m., the senate judiciary committee and members of the public will begin discussing Senate Bill 172, the Colorado Civil Union Act, co-sponsored by Senator Pat Steadman: Read it below. Back in 2006, Colorado voters rejected a referendum that would have established m ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Advocates differ about MMJ cleanup bill HB 1043 hearing (PHOTOS)

Big pics below.​Some very different takes on yesterday's judiciary committee hearing on HB 1043, a medical marijuana bill co-sponsored by Representative Tom Massey and Senator Pat Steadman. Jill Lamoureux, who also weighed in on a contentious health department advisory meeting, doesn't think t ... More >>

Medical marijuana HB 1250 bill would outlaw MMJ edibles: Read it here

​At 1:30 p.m. today, the public can comment on HB 1043, a medical marijuana bill described as a cleanup measure of last year's bill by its co-sponsors, Senator Pat Steadman and Representative Tom Massey. But the Cannabis Therapy Institute's Laura Kriho also plans to address HB 1250, a brand ne ... More >>

Civil unions: LGBT organization One Colorado kicks off campaign to legalize them (VIDEO)

​ LGBT-rights organization One Colorado is behind a legislative push this year to legalize civil unions in the state. On Sunday, the organization held a kickoff event for its civil-unions coalition, Voices for Strong Families. Among those in attendance was Senator Pat Steadman, who plans to sp ... More >>

David Balmer's temper and five other topics hot enough to thaw out frozen Colorado

Vicki Ferrari.​State Representative David Balmer apologized yesterday for losing "his cool" in a heated conversation last week with Senator Gail Schwartz; his agitated gesturing got him banned from the Senate floor for the rest of the 2011 congressional session. But Balmer's temper isn't the ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Tom Massey says HB 1043, new MMJ bill, should help law enforcement

Tom Massey.​HB 1043, a new medical marijuana bill, combines legislative cleanup efforts by Senator Pat Steadman and Representative Tom Massey, co-sponsor of the MMJ measure that became law in June. Steadman admits that he doesn't agree with everything in the bill at this point, and neither doe ... More >>

Medical marijuana: HB 1043 co-sponsor Pat Steadman not sure he agrees with entire bill

Pat Steadman.​Last week, we shared info about HB 1043, a new medical marijuana bill co-sponsored by Representative Tom Massey, who helped shepherd Colorado's main MMJ regulatory bill through the legislature and into law. Partnering with Massey is Senator Pat Steadman, who describes 1043 as a ... More >>

Prop 8 overruling in California feels like Romer v. Evans, says state Senator Pat Steadman

Pat Steadman.​Colorado state Senator Pat Steadman on Wednesday, commenting on the decision by a federal judge to overturn California's Proposition 8, said it's a lot like fourteen years ago. Fourteen years ago being May 20, 1996, when a U.S. Supreme Court ruling came down against Colorado's A ... More >>

Syringe exchange bill passes Senate, House

​ A bill to legalize syringe exchange programs in Colorado has passed the state legislature and is now headed to Governor Bill Ritter's desk. Ritter was a vocal supporter of needle exchanges when he was Denver's district attorney in the 1990s, and we've asked his spokesman if the governor plan ... More >>

Josh "Penal" Penry: Felons vote the Democratic ticket

"How can I woo the sex offender vote?"​Yes, it's the season for blustery rhetoric and high-pressure posturing down at the statehouse. But few stunts can match, for sheer unintended hilarity, this recent blast from Colorado Senate Republicans, denouncing a bill to restore voting rights to stat ... More >>

Syringe-exchange programs: Bill to legalize them introduced in state legislature

Lisa Raville (right), of Denver's Harm Reduction Action Center, and Andrew McClure advocate for clean needles on World AIDS Day 2009.​ A lot has happened in the eleven months since Westword last wrote about Colorado's lack of a legal syringe exchange program -- and how a group called Undergro ... More >>

Medical marijuana players prepare to (figuratively) storm the Capitol

Brian Vicente.​If Colorado dispensaries seem a little empty tomorrow, that's because anyone who's anyone in the business will likely be at the University of Denver, where Sensible Colorado, a drug-reform advocacy group, will be holding a stakeholder's meeting from 1 to 4 p.m. at DU's Student F ... More >>