Capitol Coverage

In Colorado about half of the people who get out of prison end up back behind bars within three years. Some parole officers supervise more than 100 offenders and the state’s prisons have reached max capacity. Governor Bill Ritter says the state needs to address these problems and reduce recidivism. Bente Birkeland spoke with the [...]

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A bill that would radically overhaul the state commission regulating oil and gas development in Colorado has been put on hold. Lawmakers met with industry representatives this week to try and work out a compromise, but neither side is optimistic. Backers of reform say a more diverse regulatory commission would create a balanced approach to [...]

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Schools would no longer be allowed to offer abstinence only sex education classes under a bill that initially passed the senate. Republicans failed to limit the bill’s scope despite several attempts to do so. The bill already cleared the House chamber. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Two Democratic lawmakers lodged a formal complaint accusing home building lobbyists of lying to senior citizens about a bill. The complaint comes less than two weeks after a Republican lawmaker accused industry lobbyists of threatening her if she didn’t vote how they wanted. Legislative leaders will meet Thursday to decide whether to create an ethics [...]

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At the capitol religious and adoption groups have come out swinging against a bill that would let gay parents adopt each other’s children. They say it’s a radical shift from the state’s current adoption laws. But proponents say the bill would give children more security. The bill recently passed a senate committee and has already [...]

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The state closed 25 driver’s license offices in 2003 and since then a lot of people have been complaining. They say the lines are too long and the process too difficult. The proposed state budget would re-open four driver’s license offices and additional staff, but many wonder, if it’s too little too late. Bente Birkeland [...]

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