U.S. Congressional News

Wake-Up Call: Frazier's congressional run no trial balloon

​Ryan Frazier made a smart move, even though his announcement last Thursday that he was switching from a run for the U.S. Senate to go for the 7th Congressional District seat currently occupied by Ed Perlmutter was completely overshadowed by a certain silver balloon. But someone took notice: ... More >>

How frightened should Democrats be of House (not Senate) candidate Ryan Frazier?

Ryan Frazier seen leaning to the left. It's a camera trick.​Earlier today, former U.S. Senate candidate Ryan Frazier officially became current House candidate Ryan Frazier, announcing his intention to challenge Representative Ed Perlmutter in the 7th Congressional District during an appearance ... More >>

Andrew Romanoff in the starting blocks

Andrew Romanoff hopes to be house hunting in the near future.​As we pointed out in a blog last Thursday, former Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff is on the cusp of announcing a challenge to Senate appointee Michael Bennet. To that end, he's made one minor alteration at AndrewRomano ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Romanoff on the range

​"What's he doing in the Senate?" "Why, it's an honorary appointment. He's an honorary stooge." Frank Capra's classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was on TCM yesterday afternoon -- just the thing to warm up the set (and the sofa) before Jake Cutler returned to Mile High, particularly given a ... More >>

Does a Romanoff run give aid and comfort to the enemy?

Andrew Romanoff.​The Republicans seem to be in complete disarray when it comes to finding a U.S. Senate candidate for 2010. But that doesn't mean the Democrats will be able to cruise to victory. Although current office-holder Michael Bennet handled his latest healthcare summit well, he's been ... More >>

What Robert Redford and fellow lefties are up to at the Project New West summit

A Flickr photoRobert Redford, who's probably had some work done.​Today and tomorrow, political heavy hitters of the progressive persuasion throughout the region are meeting at the Colorado History Museum as part of the 2009 Western Summit, sponsored by Project New West, an organization that de ... More >>

Nancy Pelosi in the hizzy

The lightning rod named Nancy Pelosi.​The U.S. House of Representatives is on recess -- but that doesn't necessarily mean its members are having fun. They'll likely spend much of their time off pimping healthcare reform -- and to that end, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- the woman with giant eye ... More >>

So that's why Polis has been so ballsy on health care: He's been making it rain on the Hill

"I got money in the bank/Shorty what you drink?"​House Democrats are playing nice again, and moving closer to finding compromise on a stripped down version of the president's health-care plan. And wouldn't you know it, just days after irking upperclassmen with his very-un-freshman-like stance ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: The chase is on

On Saturday, as railroad enthusiasts chased the 65-year-old Union Pacific steam engine powering the Denver Post train to Cheyenne Frontier Days, the chase was also on inside the train: to find out if Bob Beauprez is going to throw his cowboy hat in the ring for the U.S. Senate seat that Michael Benn ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Senator for a day

Back East for a conference, Mayor John Hickenlooper popped up to Canada, where his cousin, George Hickenlooper, is filming Casino Jack, a movie based on disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff that stars Kevin Spacey. John Hickenlooper was the inevitable star of another George Hickenlooper project, Hick ... More >>

Kenny Be: Legislative Theater

Dick Wadhams has a greeting for Barack Obama

Dick Wadhams. Sweeping defeat in the 2008 elections hasn't made Colorado Republican Party boss Dick Wadhams any less feisty. On behalf of the state GOP, Wadhams purchased enormous advertisements in both the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post featuring the banner headline "COLORADO REPUBLICANS ... More >>

Update: No delay in analog-to-digital conversion -- or in problems for some Denver viewers

Update below: Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted in favor of delaying the scheduled February 17 switchover from analog to digital broadcasting. If the House of Representatives follows suit, President Obama will sign the bill into law, pushing back DTV-day until June 12. But such a move will do noth ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: New jobs for Andrew Romanoff

On November 5, the day after Democrats scored such a stunning upset in Colorado, I spotted affable, outgoing Colorado House of Representatives speaker Andrew Romanoff at the Saucy Noodle, of all places. He was on the phone with Bernie Buescher, the Grand Junction rep who'd looked to be next in lin ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Batting clean-up before the legislative session

Now that Michael Bennet has been named to take over for Ken Salazar in the U.S. Senate (no cowboy hat required), Colorado pols can get back to the business of running the state (at least until it's time to start running for whatever seat may be in play in 2010). Today, the Denver Board of Edu ... More >>

The dollars and cents of Michael Bennet's Senate appointment

More envy than pity has accompanied Bill Ritter's appointment of Denver Public Schools' Michael Bennet to fill Ken Salazar's soon-to-be-vacated U.S. Senate seat. But the folks at Face the State have found a reason to feel sorry for the rising political star: He'll be making less money in his new job ... More >>

Wrong again! Ritter to announce Senate candidate tomorrow

I haven't been so wrong about a political pick since I predicted that then-Lieutenant Governor Joe Rogers would lead a crowded pack in the Republican primary for the congressional seat ultimately claimed by Democrat Ed Perlmutter. Governor Bill Ritter just announced that he'll hold a news conferenc ... More >>

DeGette withdraws name from Senate consideration

Diana DeGette has told Governor Bill Ritter that she's not interested in replacing Ken Salazar in the U.S. Senate. "After serious deliberation and consultation with my family, supporters and colleagues in Congress," she announced today, "I have concluded I can best serve the citizens of the First ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Watch the fireworks...over the Senate nomination

Denver's fireworks display won't officially start until 9 p.m. December 31 (with a repeat performance at midnight), but there have already been plenty of explosive discussions over who, exactly, Governor Bill Ritter should nominate to fill Ken Salazar's soon-to-be-empty Senate seat -- and what cov ... More >>

Who should replace Salazar in the Senate? Go straight to the Hart.

Wake-Up Call: Ritter's vote is in for Colorado Secretary of State

At 9:30 a.m. this morning, Governor Bill Ritter will announce Colorado's next secretary of state, the culmination of a six-week process that officially started on the night of November 4, when Mike Coffman was elected to replace Tom Tancredo in the sixth congressional district. Although Ritter had ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: An open Senate seat means more musical chairs

At parties and openings, all the talk is about who's going to take Ken Salazar's seat in the U.S. Senate -- it's a lot more fun than talking about the economy -- and what spot might then open up. If outgoing Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff gets the nod, there's no game of musical chairs, beca ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: The trickle-down economics of an open Senate seat

On Monday, Governor Bill Ritter offered Colorado journalists an advance look at what we can expect from the next legislative session: belt-tightening. But there's one sure, if risky, way to fill Colorado's coffers: Sell the Senate seat that could soon be vacated when Senator Ken Salazar move ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Mr. Salazar goes to Washington?

Suddenly, all the political pundits are talking about a Salazar going to Washington. Not Ken Salazar, who'd apparently rather stay in his Senate seat than move to the Cabinet (but might be up for a future opening on the Supreme Court, where he'd be the first Latino justice) ... More >>

The Colorado officials who bucked the bailout -- and those who went along

Upcoming DNC roundtable: lotsa ugly politicians and a smokin' hot celeb

Upcoming DNC roundtable: lotsa ugly politicians and a smokin' hot celeb

Q&A with Mark Udall

Q&A with Senator Bob Menendez

A Louse in the House

Doug Bruce stars in the newest reality TV show.

Delegating Denver #24 of 56: Maryland

Delegating Denver #23 of 56: Maine

Off Limits

Talk Scoop

Return of the Native

Ben Nighthorse Campbell works in silver, but his future looks golden.

Best Secret Message on a Congressman's Stationery

AMDG

Best Politician

Senator Ed Perlmutter

Year in Review

2001? What 2001?

Best Bookstore Wall of Ephemera

Capitol Hill Books

Best Place to Channel Jerry, Man

Sancho's Broken Arrow

Best Appearance by a Coloradan in a National Magazine

Ben Nighthorse Campbell

Best New Apartment Building

Capitol Heights Apartments

The Basement Tapes

For Linda Chavez, the devil was in the details.

Letters to the Editor

From the week of August 10

The New Turks

Women's Work

Colorado activists struck first on domestic violence.

Plugging In to D.C.

How Washington lobbyists--and some politicians--cash in on Colorado's local governments.

A Dirty Shame

The EPA blew this job -- but Colorado towns will pay the price to clean up the mess.

Power Steering

Last session legislators gambled on a new program that lobbyists claimed would make Colorado's roads safer. Don't bet on it.

The Green Candidate

Armed with deep pockets, Terry Walker mounts a bid for governor.

Athlete, Artist, Indian Chief

From dark horse to Nighthorse, it's been one hell of a ride for Ben Campbell.