U.S. State Politics

Here's why attorney general, Jeffco DA think Hick should have let Nathan Dunlap die

Governor John Hickenlooper's decision to grant a temporary reprieve to Nathan Dunlap, who killed four people and seriously wounded a fifth in an attack on a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant circa 1993, has been cheered in some quarters, but jeered in others. Tom Tancredo decided to run for governor due in ... More >>

Joe Garcia will continue as Colorado's coolest lieutenant governor

Joe Garcia, Colorado's coolest lieutenant governor, won't be going to Washington, D.C. -- not now, at least, and not as the head of the Department of Labor. Yesterday, the White House announced that Tom Perez, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, will take that post. Like Garcia, ... More >>

Marijuana: John Hickenlooper-Eric Holder A64 call still a mystery despite activist's efforts

Editor's note: Medical marijuana critic William Breathes's latest review, which is usually published at 4:20 p.m. on Thursdays, has not quite finished curing; look for it in this space soon. In the meantime, we share the story of a marijuana activist and his efforts to discover what was said during ... More >>

Marijuana: Governor's counsel sees alleged Amendment 64 conflicts of interest as diversity

In mid-December, we shared complaints from a marijuana activist about alleged conflicts of interest in regard to one member of the governor's Amendment 64 task force. More recently, the activist raised concerns about another task force member -- and this time, a guv rep responded with an e-mail sugg ... More >>

Governor Hickenlooper grills lamb and eats crow

The final tally from last weekend's NFL playoff game goes beyond the scoreboard for Colorado: Colorado also lost twelve prime lamb chops that Governor John Hickenlooper shipped across the country to Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley to pay off a bet debt. But first, he ate a little crow on the steps ... More >>

Flags are at half-mast in Colorado today...as they have been so often this year

Flags in Colorado will fly at half staff today, as they have been since December 14, to honor the children and adults who were killed in Newtown, Connecticut. They'll be raised again to their full height on Wednesday -- unless of course there is another tragedy, another senseless death in Colorado o ... More >>

Amendment 64 task force first meeting today: Welcome to the mild, wild West

A week after John Hickenlooper signed Amendment 64 into law, and four days after President Barack Obama said that the feds have bigger fish to fry than prosecuting recreational users of pot in states that have made it legal, Colorado's Task Force on the Implementation of Amendment 64 will have its f ... More >>

Marijuana activist objects to Amendment 64 task force member calling for fed crackdown

As we've reported, the first meeting of the Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force is slated for noon today. But even before that initial session, a marijuana activist is protesting the inclusion of one task force member, Colorado Concern's Tamra Ward. Why? Because her signature is the first on lett ... More >>

Amendment 64's Christian Sederberg upbeat about being named to marijuana act's task force

Word that Governor John Hickenlooper had signed Amendment 64 into law necessarily overshadowed the announcement of members assigned to a task force that will guide implementation of the act. But Christian Sederberg, who'll represent the A64 campaign in the group, thinks the process is off to a posit ... More >>

Amendment 64 is now law: Governor John Hickenlooper quietly signs measure

Ever since voters approved Amendment 64, Governor John Hickenlooper's office has been evasive about saying when he would ink the measure. But this morning, he quietly signed A64 into law -- an action followed by a strangely worded announcement on view below.

Photo: John Hickenlooper poses with Cheetos, Goldfish and marijuana center owner

Update below: After the passage of Amendment 64, Governor John Hickenlooper issued a statement advising folks to wait before breaking out the Cheetos and Goldfish -- an unexpected remark that quickly inspired its own Twitter hash tag. Now, a photo has surfaced featuring Hickenlooper posing with thes ... More >>

Amendment 64: Attorney General/marijuana critic John Suthers would defend it in court

In announcing the passage of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, during a newscast this morning, National Public Radio floated the possibility that the measure could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court owing to pot's illegality at the federal level. And if the proposal wound up ... More >>

Paul Weissmann will continue to serve the public as Boulder trustee

In the latest installment of a long-running saga, yesterday Governor John Hickenlooper reappointed five of the ten public trustees who resigned last month -- at his request. And he appointed three new trustees in three counties, including one who really puts the "public" in public trustee: sometime ... More >>

John Hickenlooper and wife Helen Thorpe announce their separation

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and his wife, journalist and author Helen Thorpe, have just issued a joint statement revealing that they are separating. The announcement notes that their parting isn't acrimonious and stresses their devotion to their young son, Teddy. Here's the statement:

Video: John Hickenlooper says civil unions aren't marriage on CNN

Colorado's special session, which begins today, is earning nationwide attention for Governor John Hickenlooper due in large part to the civil unions legislation whose death largely inspired it. But in conversation with the net's Candy Crowley (see it below), Hickenlooper avoided espousing same-sex m ... More >>

THC driving bill on special sessions agenda: Does that mean Hick will sign it?

As we've reported, Governor John Hickenlooper called for a special legislative session following the blockage of a civil unions bill. The governor's office has identified seven bills that Hickenlooper hopes will be addressed beginning on Monday, including the controversial THC driving bill. Does tha ... More >>

Lower North Fork Fire started by prescribed burn, Forest Service apologizes

The U.S. Forest Service is now admitting that the Lower North Fork Fire near Conifer, which appears to have led to at least two casualties (one woman is still missing), was started by a prescribed burn that got out of control. Meanwhile, Governor John Hickenlooper has suspended such burns until aft ... More >>

American Constitution Party faces major headaches as a major Colorado party

The Colorado Republicans held their caucuses last month. The Colorado Democrats have launched a caucus locator to help members find their caucus sites tonight. And the American Constitution Party, the state's third major party? "We're going to do the best job we can," says Doug Campbell. "Let the ch ... More >>

John Hickenlooper: If he can become governor, there's no limit to Colorado's future

Governor John Hickenlooper met with newspaper reps in town for the Colorado Press Association's annual convention at the Governor's Mansion yesterday. There, he talked about Iowa, Christo, the coolness of Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia...and how Westword was a very good neighbor during the Wynkoop B ... More >>

American Constitution Party has a major problem preparing for own caucus

Doug Campbell​The American Constitution Party has a major problem in Colorado. Because Republican renegade Tom Tancredo, who ran for governor on the ACP ticket in 2010, got more than 36 percent of the vote in 2010 in the race against Republican Dan Maes and Democrat John Hickenlooper, the ACP ... More >>

Marijuana initiative can't force John Suthers to sue feds over enforcement, his office says

In our post yesterday about the progress of Legalize 2012's Cannabis Re-legalization Act, proponent Laura Kriho noted that a section had been added to the proposal directing Colorado Attorney General John Suthers to sue the federal government if it attempts to enforce its marijuana laws here. But AG ... More >>

Marijuana: 2 guvs petition feds to reclassify pot, but John Hickenlooper not ready to do so -- yet

This week, governors in Rhode Island and Washington asked the federal government to concede that marijuana has medical uses. A Colorado official is required to send a similar message by year's end -- but would John Hickenlooper consider following the lead of these fellow governors and do the deed hi ... More >>

Carol Harvey out as Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs' executive secretary

Carol Harvey.​If Thanksgiving is approaching, it must be time for another controversy at the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, which is overseen by the state's lieutenant governor. Back in 1988, then-lite guv Mike Callihan created a ruckus with his plans for a feast in a Mayflower moving ... More >>

Occupy Denver asks John Hickenlooper to allow camping, invites him to general assembly

John Hickenlooper.​Earlier today, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman said the law-enforcement approach to Occupy Denver's tent city is evolving, and could be finalized soon. But rather than waiting to see how agencies might try to enforce Governor John Hickenlooper's apparent wish to end overni ... 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 >>

John Hickenlooper has more fun at reunion than dealing with billion-dollar budget shortfall

Hickenlooper.​Fresh from another round of eco-devo meetings and a quick side trip to a Craig hospital to get five stitches after he bumped his head in his state car, John Hickenlooper landed back in Denver in time for a reunion party at El Diablo with campaign staffers and supporters who worke ... More >>

Photo finish: John Fielder's photographs will spruce up John Hickenlooper's office

Colorado's GOP hopes to strike while the irony is hot

Dick Wadhams's exit from Republican chair race to help Ted Harvey and party conservatives?

Ted Harvey.​The Colorado Republican Party didn't just lose the governor's race in November -- it also lost over a hundred bonus members of the State Central Committee, which will vote for the new party chair next month. Incumbent chair Dick Wadhams was going for that slot again -- until his M ... More >>

John Hickenlooper off to a fast start with three executive orders

HIckenlooper.​The inauguration ceremony was cold, but Governor John Hickenlooper is off to a blazing start. Hickenlooper issued three executive orders in the first few minutes of officially holding office, taking aim at economic development and improving the efficiency of state government.

John Hickenlooper making appointments fast -- but only half as many as when he was mayor

Hickenlooper.​John Hickenlooper is moving fast to build his administration. Since December 31, he's announced more than a dozen appointments, including three yesterday alone: Barbara Kelley will remain as director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Larry Trujillo will continue as head o ... More >>

Facebook and John Suthers, Colorado attorney general, make nice, clearing way for state pages

John Suthers.​Colorado Attorney General John Suthers is embracing Facebook nearly a year after the state essentially unfriended the massive social network. The agreement between the AG's office and Mark Zuckerberg's operation means state agencies, including Suthers's, can belatedly join the 21 ... More >>

John Hickenlooper will walk from city to state office a week from today

John Hickenlooper, governor-elect​A week from today, at 8:30 a.m., John Hickenlooper will resign his job as the mayor of Denver, then leave his office at the City and County Building (where he had a stripe painted around the top of the room at a point exactly a mile high) and walk across Civic ... More >>

Fantasy Voter Fraud

Dan Maes tops 10 percent, which means he's not the Biggest Loser in CO elections... but close

Dan Maes.​Tom Tancredo was about to concede the gubernatorial race, but many more Colorado contests were up in the air when I walked into the ballroom of the downtown Marriott, site of the Colorado Democratic Party's election party. And what was on the TVs? Not CNN, not local newscasts shunted ... More >>

Tom Tancredo only real Republican running for governor, spokesman says: Sorry, Dan Maes

Tom Tancredo.​This weekend, the Denver Post shared polling data showing Democrat John Hickenlooper held a "comfy" 10 point lead over main challenger Tom Tancredo in the governor's race. But Tancredo operations manager Cliff Dodge rejects that, dismissing the Post's survey as "totally inaccura ... More >>

John Elway and Pete Coors top Jason Clark's quest for a new Craigslist running mate

Jason Clark.​Polish your resume and bone-up on the issues; independent candidate for Governor Jason Clark went back to Craigslist today to replace his departed lieutenant governor. Clark set his sights a littler higher this time. Here's the ad, written in the third person with exclamation po ... More >>

Myrl Serra, DA for 7th Judicial District, busted for unlawful sexual conduct, indecent exposure

Myrl Serra.​Colorado Attorney General's office spokesman Mike Saccone confirms that Myrl Serra, district attorney for the 7th Judicial District, which covers several Western Slope counties, is in Montrose County jail following his arrest this morning on three startling charges: unlawful sexual ... More >>

Monica Marquez Supreme Court selection disappoints Clear the Bench's Matt Arnold

Monica Marquez.​Clear the Bench Colorado's Matt Arnold -- the man behind an effort to vote out three current Supreme Court justices for allegedly unconstitutional rulings -- was far less than thrilled by Governor Bill Ritter's appointment of Monica Marquez to the court. Indeed, he says that i ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Does using $9 million in fees for budget shortfall screw MMJ patients?

​Although Governor Bill Ritter signed medical marijuana bills earlier this year, he's never been a big fan of the stuff. Still, he hopes to use $9 million in MMJ fees to help fill a $60 million budget hole -- a decision that angers advocates upset by the tremendous backlog of unprocessed licen ... More >>

Dan Maes to announce lieutenant governor pick at noon today

Dan Maes.​This just in: Dan Maes will announce his choice for lieutenant governor during an event at noon today. Will his pick be the sort of person Northern Colorado Tea Party director Lesley Hollywood outlined earlier this morning? Or a person with more standard establishment credentials? We ... More >>

Dan Maes meeting with Denver Post over complaints about unfair governor-race coverage

Dan Maes.​Another day, another Denver Post story that treats Republican gubernatorial nominee Dan Maes like an empty-walleted joke. It's no surprise, then, that Maes, who earlier threatened to limit the Post's access if the paper didn't start treating him fairly, has scheduled a meeting with ... More >>

9.12 Project Colorado chair on Tom Tancredo's ultimatum, Ken Buck's "dumbasses" comment

Ken Buck.​The major GOP races in Colorado don't want for drama this year -- or comedy, depending on your perspective. Tom Tancredo's high noon ultimatum to Scott McInnis and Dan Maes was followed by Ken Buck's "Weld County bullshit" statement and another comment in which he called Tea Party bi ... More >>

Tom Tancredo's ultimatum to Scott McInnis, Dan Maes: John Hickenlooper's wet dream?

Tom Tancredo.​This past weekend, Tom Tancredo told Patricia Calhoun that with a few days, he'd make some kind of announcement about the governor's race, which is a mess on the Republican side thanks to Scott McInnis's plagiarism problems and Dan Maes's assorted challenges. And that's one campa ... More >>

Tom Tancredo calls Dick Wadhams's criticism of his guv run ultimatum "bulls**t"

Tom Tancredo.​There's a lot of bullshit in Colorado politics lately. Mere days after senatorial candidate Ken Buck boasted that he wears cowboy boots "with Weld County bullshit, not D.C. bullshit," Tom Tancredo uses the same word to characterize Republican Party boss Dick Wadhams' criticism of ... More >>

Jon Caldara shoots off his mouth, but at least he's a straight shooter

Jon Caldara.​"There's nothing more enjoyable than pissing off liberals," said Jon Caldara, head of the Independence institute, at the think tank's annual ATF -- Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms -- event on Saturday, a free-for-all of free-market talk, drinking alcohol, smoking cigars and shooting ... More >>

Signed, sealed and rejected: These political activists are rabble with a cause