Capitol Coverage

The days when kids were told to be seen and not heard may be long gone, but lawmakers at the capitol say that’s still somewhat the case when it comes to the legislative process. A measure to create a state youth advisory council passed unanimously out of the house education committee on Monday. Students from [...]

[Read more →]

Term limits are forcing out some of the state’s top leaders from both parties. The highest ranking Democrat in the house will be gone next year. The Republican leader in the senate is also leaving office – and politics. The sixty-seven year old Colorado Springs lawmaker says his days of running for office and serving [...]

[Read more →]

The state’s legislative session is about a third of the way through and we’re only now just starting to see some of the big initiatives lawmakers have been talking about. Bente Birkeland discusses the current climate with her fellow reporters.

[Read more →]

Lunch room tent that’s used at Indian Peaks Charter School in GranbyEducators from around Colorado were at the Capitol on Thursday testifying in favor of a bill to fix unsafe schools. Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff is sponsoring the measure and says school buildings are literally falling apart. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[Read more →]

Governor Bill Ritter announced plans to reform the state’s health care system on Wednesday. The plan focuses on improving quality, cutting waste and expanding care for more of the states uninsured children, but it still falls short of his long term vision of covering every child by 2010. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[Read more →]

Dedicated, intelligent – and fair. That’s how friends and colleagues describe outgoing Democratic Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff. After eight years in the House, term limits will force the lawmaker to step down. But it’s likely far from the end of his political career in Colorado. Bente Birkeland has more from the capitol.  Next [...]

[Read more →]

Governor Bill Ritter signed an executive order on Tuesday creating the Colorado Forest Health Advisory Council, which aims to better coordinate efforts to tackle the bark beetle outbreak and other threats to Colorado’s forests. KUNC’s Kirk Siegler reports.

[Read more →]

An estimated 160 thousand children in Colorado don’t have health insurance and the Governor has pledged to cover all of them within the next two years, even though he admits it might not be possible. Bente Birkeland reports from the capitol.

[Read more →]

Colorado lawmakers have scored a hat trick this legislative session when it comes to scandals. Republican Douglas Bruce got the first censure in house history after he kicked a photographer during the morning prayer. Democrat Michael Garcia resigned after a lobbyist accused him of exposing himself and making lewd comments. And a third house member [...]

[Read more →]

A bill aimed at making college textbooks more affordable cleared a senate committee on Thursday. After receiving unanimous support - Senate bill 73 now heads to the senate floor for debate. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[Read more →]