Denver Westword | The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado

Colorado Passes Laws on Gun Control, Abortion Access, Trans Rights in 2025

By Hannah Metzger

May 8, 2025

From AR-15s to misgendering to a bill that has Uber threatening to leave the state, here's what you should know.

Gun Rights Activists Rally at Capitol Against Detached Magazine Bill

By Bennito L. Kelty

Mar 11, 2025

"I think this is a major attempt at a gun grab, an attempt to ban all semiautomatic rifles, which has never been seen before. It's really a scary time."

Jefferson County GOP Elects Ex-Reality TV Star, Convicted Felon as Party Chair

By Hannah Metzger

Feb 13, 2025

Rich Wyatt went from the small screen to the big house. Now, the infamous local legend is taking a swing at politics.

Analysis: Red Flag Laws Are Still Used in Colorado's Second Amendment Sanctuaries

By Christopher Knoepke

Nov 22, 2024

They're just used less frequently.

Proposition KK Aims to Fund Crime Victim and Mental Health Services With Excise Tax

By Chloe Ragsdale

Oct 23, 2024

"This is really contributing to having services that might benefit you, your friends, or your family."

Man pulls handgun from concealed carry holster

Proposal to Give Marijuana Users Concealed-Carry Gun Rights Fails to Make Colorado Ballot

By Thomas Mitchell

Aug 7, 2024

Organizers of the proposed ballot initiative needed to turn in 124,238 signatures by August 5 to qualify.

A man takes ammo from a vending machine.

Ammo Vending Machine Coming to Buena Vista Grocery Store

By Bennito L. Kelty

Jul 25, 2024

"What is the need for this?" asks Tom Mauser. "We have at least 1,600 gun shops in the state."

Two men in suits walk up the stairs of the Colorado Capitol building.

Armed in Assembly: Gun Mishaps Stack Up in Colorado Capitol Amid Effort to Ban Firearms From Building

By Hannah Metzger

Apr 17, 2024

Representative Don Wilson isn't the first state legislator to forget a loaded gun in the Colorado Capitol.

Racks of rifles for sale inside of a gun store

Marijuana Gun Rights Ballot Initiative Is Alive Again

By Thomas Mitchell

Mar 13, 2024

Proponents see Denver's 4/20 fest, the Tanner Gun Show and Red Rocks parking lots as prime signature-gathering grounds.

A gun in front of green marijuana leaves

Ballot Initiative Granting Gun Rights to Marijuana Users Resubmitted

By Thomas Mitchell

Feb 14, 2024

The ballot question was denied in January, but proponents have updated the initiative and hope to gather signatures in the spring.

How the State's First Public Shooting Range With a Bar Ensures Safety

By Helen Xu

Dec 6, 2023

The Gallery and its on-site restaurant and bar, The Barrel Room, have been open in Lakewood since April 2022.

Club Q Shooter Takes Plea as Victims Demand Money Raised by Colorado Healing Fund

By Catie Cheshire

Jul 6, 2023

Shortly before the Club Q shooter pleaded guilty, the Colorado Healing Fund disbursed more funds to victims.

street scene in Denver with cops after shooting

Ten Injured, Two in Custody for Early-Morning Shooting After Nuggets Championship Celebration

By Catie Cheshire

Jun 13, 2023

The celebration over Denver's win took a sobering turn when ten were injured in a mass shooting. Here's what the police know.

Commentary: Ghost Guns Are Truly Scary

By Myra Isenhart and Mark Udall

Jun 11, 2023

As gun owners ourselves, we applaud restricting guns that avoid background checks, arming criminals and the underage.

Day two Here4TheKids protesters on the lawn of the state capitol on June 6.

Here4TheKids Wraps Up Gun Protests in Colorado, Takes Aim at Other States

By Benjamin Neufeld

Jun 9, 2023

The group that uses white women protesters led by women of color had asked Governor Jared Polis to sign an executive order banning guns.

Here4TheKids Attracting Support and Skepticism in Advance of June 5 Gun Ban Sit-In

By Benjamin Neufeld

May 19, 2023

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners are taking aim at the movement.

A group of Denver area canvasers for the Here4TheKids movement.

Saira Rao Wants to Use the Power of White Women to Repeal the Second Amendment

By Benjamin Neufeld

May 9, 2023

The former congressional candidate is calling for a sit-in at the Colorado Capitol in June.

Colorado's Long History of Not Holding Gun Manufacturers Accountable May Soon Change

By Catie Cheshire

Mar 31, 2023

Until now it’s been nearly impossible to hold the gun industry accountable in Colorado. That could all change this legislative session.

For Once, Student Cries for Stricter Gun Safety Don't Fall on Deaf Ears

By Benjamin Neufeld

Mar 20, 2023

Student activists from East High School are finally getting local officials to listen to them about gun violence and school safety solutions.

Denver International Airport's TSA Confiscated Record Number of Firearms in 2022

By Catie Cheshire

Jan 18, 2023

In 2022, TSA discovered 156 firearms at DIA’s three security checkpoints,

Gun Culture

Kyle Rittenhouse Coming to Golden for Jeffco GOP Fundraiser

Reader: I Wish Our National Government Worked Like the Colorado Legislature

Gun Culture

Kyle Rittenhouse Coming to Golden for Jeffco GOP Fundraiser

Reader: I Wish Our National Government Worked Like the Colorado Legislature

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