Capitol Coverage

Liquor in Grocery Stores Moves Forward

Bente Birkeland — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:27:10 +0000

A bill that would open the door for grocery stores to sell full strength beer, wine and liquor cleared the house business affairs committee on Wednesday. It’s the first hearing on the measure this year, but lawmakers have been discussing the bill for months. It passed on a bi-partisan 6 to 5 vote and now heads to the house finance committee. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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State Roadless Petition Sent to Feds

Bente Birkeland — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:24:53 +0000

Colorado has submitted a new plan for protecting about 4 million acres of roadless national forest lands. It’s part of a years long process to try and craft a Colorado specific solution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture praised the rule but won’t make a final decision on whether to approve it until later this year. Bente Birkeland reports from the state capitol.

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Child Welfare Accountability

Bente Birkeland — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:09:18 +0000

The state senate has initially cleared a bill that would create an ombudsman’s office to field complaints about Colorado’s child welfare system. Thirty five children linked to human service departments have died in the last three years. A final vote on the bill is expected in the coming days. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Capitol Conversation

Bente Birkeland — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:06:42 +0000

The state senate is poised to debate Colorado’s annual budget bill that funds state government and services. Lawmakers are facing a 1.3 billion dollar revenue shortfall. The house has already passed the budget. Bente Birkeland talks about that debate and takes a look ahead as part of our weekly capitol conversation.

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Budget Clears House

Bente Birkeland — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:05:53 +0000

After months of buildup, the budget cleared the house on Thursday with little fanfare or debate. The 18.2 billion dollar budget funds everything from prisons to schools to state employee salaries. But just as it heads to the senate, lawmakers have already begun multifaceted discussions about next year’s budget. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Tea Party Rallies in Colorado

Bente Birkeland — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:07:26 +0000

The tea party express made it’s way through Colorado on Wednesday, holding well attended rallies in Grand Junction and Denver. About one thousand supporters of the movement gathered on the steps of the state capital calling for smaller government and less taxes. Bente Birkeland has more from Denver.

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Senate Initially Clears Bill to Close Coal Fired Power Plants

Bente Birkeland — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:12:18 +0000

A bill to retire coal fired power plants along the front range led to a sharp division among senate Republicans on Tuesday, pitting the top two leaders in the chamber against the rest of their caucus. The group held two briefings to try and find common ground, but couldn’t reach a compromise. Bente Birkeland reports from the state capitol.

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Next Steps Following Race to Top Loss

Bente Birkeland — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:07:54 +0000

Colorado has failed to capture a share of a 4 billion dollar federal education grant to help turn around struggling schools. The state was one of 16 finalists, but fell short of the finish line – with Delaware and Tennessee winning during the first round of grants. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Ritter’s Final State of State Address

Bente Birkeland — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:36:19 +0000

Governor Bill Ritter delivered his final state of the state address in front of a joint session of the legislature on Thursday, with about 30 members of his extended family cheering him on. He touted his administration’s accomplishments and pledged to get the state’s economy back on solid ground. Bente Birkeland reports from the state house.

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Colorado Legislature Convenes

Bente Birkeland — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:34:29 +0000

Lawmakers kicked off the state’s annual 120 day legislative session on Wednesday. The day included speeches, family photos, and a few fresh faces new to the legislature. Bente Birkeland reports from the state house.

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