Capitol Coverage

The head of the Colorado Department of Corrections briefed state lawmakers on Wednesday that the number of mentally ill inmates in Colorado’s prisons is soaring and the state needs more beds to house them. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Lawmakers have pledged to fast track legislation aimed to make sure Colorado is ready for the 2008 presidential election now that counties can no longer use thousands of electronic voting machines because of security concerns. But a solution to deal with the problem is likely weeks away. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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State lawmakers have formed a committee to deal with a kicking incident on the House floor on Monday by Republican Representative Douglas Bruce. The Colorado Springs lawmaker is refusing to apologize to a Rocky Mountain News Photographer who took his picture during the morning prayer. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Colorado lawmakers came back to the capitol last week for the start of the state’s annual legislative session. Governor Bill Ritter gave his state of the state speech Thursday. Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Bente Birkeland analyses the speech with fellow statehouse reporters.
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Colorado Springs Republican Representative Douglas Bruce took the oath of office on Monday after Republican lawmakers threatened to oust him if he didn’t cooperate and get down to the business of the people. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Governor Bill Ritter shot back at critics who say he failed to set a bold vision in his state of the state address Thursday. Ritter reiterated the need to go slow on health care reform and spend tax dollars wisely. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Governor Bill Ritter urged patience and discipline when it comes to healthcare reform during his state of the state address. KUNC’s Kirk Siegler has more from Denver.
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Colorado’s Secretary of State is asking lawmakers for more time to fix security problems with the state’s electronic voting systems. He decertified thousands of the machines last month but says Colorado will need to use some of them for the 2008 election. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Governor Bill Ritter highlighted what he called a revolutionary bi-partisan education proposal during his second state of the state address on Thursday. Republicans largely praised the nearly hour long speech saying the Governor took a less aggressive approach to fixing the state’s key issues. Bente Birkeland reports from the capitol.
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Lawmakers returned to the capitol on Wednesday for the start of the state’s annual legislative session. They pledged to work together on education, healthcare reform, the economy and a host of other issues. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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