Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler is a controversy magnet, with many progressive figures taking his name in vain. Example: a blistering October critique by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. But today, NPR, a news outfit frequently accused of liberal bias, sent the mega-conservative Gessler an audio love letter in which he’s…
If Occupy Boulder and Occupy Denver weren’t fully supportive sister occupations located roughly an hour from each other, it would occasionally be tough to tell that they’re even struggling against the same system. Comparisons between the two movements often end at opposite sides of the activism spectrum. Case in point:…
Colorado Democratic leaders are applauding the Obama Administration’s newly proposed immigration policy, a measure that would permit undocumented spouses and children of United States citizens to remain in the country during the legal immigration process. Under current law, undocumented family members of United States citizens must leave the country while…
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…
Yesterday afternoon, RedLine art gallery housed hundreds of Occupy movement supporters from Colorado and beyond as they reflected on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and how to translate it to protesting inequality between the 99 percent and the 1 percent. But in recent weeks, the local movement has made…
As we wrote about earlier today, Broncos fans could use chalk on the streets, but not Occupy Denver. And did they ever. Led by Denver mayor and one-time Broncos mascot Michael Hancock, fans used blue and orange sidewalk chalk to “transform Bannock Street into ‘Broncos Boulevard!'” (Just look how far…
Violeta Pando couldn’t sleep last night. After all, today is the last for a six-week pilot program to review the deportation cases of all non-detained immigrants in Baltimore and Denver — including the case of her wife, Sujey Pando. “The hours that I did sleep, which were very few, I…
This afternoon, residents are invited to participate in something referred to as a “spirit rally:” Come down to Bannock between 14th and Colfax sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., hang out with the cheerleaders and Mayor Michael Hancock and use blue, white and orange chalk to transform the street…
This week’s cover story, “A World Away,” tells the story of Drucie Bathin, a 46-year-old refugee from Burma who has made it her life’s work to help other, newer refugees. She has a soft spot for the teenagers. To help them connect to their heritage, and stay out of trouble,…
In the past four years, more than 2,000 Burmese refugees have arrived in Colorado. Though the state provides support, some of them struggle to navigate language, laws and customs of their new home. But Drucie Bathin, who came to the U.S. in 1999, can help. She heads the Colorado Rangers…
Update: Peter John Jentsch, current Occupy Boulder protester and bodyguard of Occupy Denver’s canine leader, Shelby, was released from jail last night after he was arrested early Sunday morning for third-degree trespassing. For now, a newly approved restraining order keeps him from returning to Occupy Boulder’s current home. Although Jentsch…
It was the sixteenth anniversary of the Million Man March, October 16, 2011, and thousands gathered in Washington for a ceremony dedicating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Steve Justino, co-chair of Colorado’s Move to Amend, remembers sitting by his computer in Colorado losing sleep — he and his colleagues…
Colorado Congressman Jared Polis has called for a government investigation into alleged abuse suffered by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender immigrants detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Here we have people who are at their most vulnerable — many without access to any legal assistance — who are being…
Colorado House Democrats and representatives from CU, CSU and Colorado Technology Association met with the press to introduce “Start-Up Colorado.” The package brings together three jobs bills focusing on promoting small business growth…
This has been a busy month for Shelby, Occupy Denver’s temporarily absent leader and erstwhile scapegoat for those who’d like the group to have one. The political Border collie celebrated New Year’s in style: On her first trip to Zuccotti Park, Occupy Wall Street’s capitol, Shelby was greeted with a…
The defeat of a bill to legalize civil unions in the last legislative session was a heart-breaker for those in favor of marriage equality. After passing in the Senate, the bill was defeated in a House committee by one vote — with all six of the panel’s Republicans voting against…
The Santa Fe offices of the Colorado Progressive Coalition contain no front desk or really any lobby, just a series of colorful hallways unevenly decorated with Chicano and Native American artwork. The tables are covered with snacks and political literature, and the back wall marks a recent round of staff…
The Center for Responsive Politics has released a personal finance overview for each member of Congress. We did a little number crunching and found some interesting figures regarding Colorado’s congressional members. Collectively, Colorado’s nine-person delegation is worth $166,900,678…
Colorado’s first caucuses were modestly attended affairs that didn’t have a sizable impact on the presidential choices of either major party. But turnout jumped four years ago, especially for the Democratic caucus that boosted Barack Obama. Predictably, Colorado Republican Party chairman Ryan Call is the opposite of an Obama fan…
Tim Tebow’s stock as a quarterback may be falling — ESPN’s Mike and Mike have less confidence in him than any other QB in the playoffs this weekend — but he remains a cultural lightning rod. Note that even The New Yorker’s Ben McGrath is weighing in on him, albeit…
Wilma Webb was one of the first African-American representatives in the Colorado legislature — and she pushed through a measure making Martin Luther King Day a state holiday in 1984, two years before it was recognized nationally. In 1991, her husband, Wellington Webb, became Denver’s first black mayor. But then…
Colorado’s Democratic leaders are worried that last night’s win for Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucus could spell trouble for immigrants in Colorado. “Folks, it takes an alarming event to bring the likes of us together to weigh in on the Republican nomination,” Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Rick Palacio said…
