Capitol Coverage

Counties across Colorado would get more judges under a bill that aims to relieve the states backlogged court system. The measure initially cleared the senate Thursday after its sponsor delayed it for months while he tried to rally support for the bill. It had already passed the house chamber, but was controversial because of how […]

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The state may not be giving communities affected by oil and gas drilling enough money to offset the impacts of Colorado’s energy development boom. To find out, lawmakers created a new committee that will study the issue over the summer. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [LISTEN]

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When it comes to health care coverage in Colorado, not all illnesses are treated equally. A bill to expand health care coverage to include more mental health problems initially cleared the senate chamber Monday. Several Republicans opposed the measure saying it would drive up health insurance costs. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [LISTEN]

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Negotiations between lawmakers and the energy industry on a controversial bill seemed to have paid off. Senators voted unanimously to initially pass a measure that would change how the state regulates oil and gas development. The bill faced fierce Republican opposition when it cleared the House chamber. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [ LISTEN ]

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Nearly thirty percent of students in Colorado drop out before they graduate from high school, that’s according to state figures. On Tuesday Governor Bill Ritter created a council to examine how the state can lower the drop out rate and close the achievement gap between students of different races, gender and economic backgrounds. Bente Birkeland […]

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This week lawmakers will debate Governor Bill Ritter’s plan to freeze property taxes to help fund public schools. Republicans call it a tax hike because property taxes are scheduled to go down next year, and even some Democrats aren’t sold on the idea. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [ LISTEN ]

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Colorado is joining a growing number of states that are dropping investments with companies they say contribute to the genocide in Darfur. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [ LISTEN ]

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Lawmakers struck down a bill that would have created a statewide cold case unit to investigate unsolved crimes. The bill failed in the house despite significant changes from it’s introduction. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [ LISTEN ]

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Friday marks the eighth anniversary of the Columbine High school shootings in Littleton. Colorado lawmakers say the killings at Virginia Tech earlier in the week make this year’s anniversary especially difficult. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [ LISTEN ]

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Lawmakers say the army’s plans to expand the Piñon Canyon training facility in southeast Colorado would devastate the state’s agriculture industry and heritage. A bill to try and stop the army from using eminent domain powers to seize ranches passed the senate Wednesday. Governor Bill Ritter would not say whether he would sign the measure. […]

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