Capitol Coverage

Colorado has some of the highest health insurance premiums in the country. A bill making its way through the legislature would require the state to approve rate increases before they could take effect. About 20 states have similar regulations, but the measure faces opposition from the insurance industry. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Governor Bill Ritter signed a package of climate change executive orders on Tuesday to mark the celebration of Earth Day. He says it’s part of a larger state effort to address climate change. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Colorado is beefing up efforts to target communities with high foreclosure rates. The Governor has designated it Foreclosure Prevention Awareness Week. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

The final weeks of the legislative session could bring one of the biggest battles we’ve seen all year. The measure is the brainchild of Democratic Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, who is term limited. It attempts to untangle conflicts in the state constitution. And while some Republicans have spoken up in support of it. It’s not clear whether he has enough votes to pass it. Bente Birkeland discusses his proposal as part of our capitol conversation series.

The state’s school assessment tests known as the CSAP could be fazed out of Colorado high schools starting as early as next school year under a measure that initially passed the senate on Thursday. It’s part of a larger school reform bill that the Governor is pushing, but it’s not clear IF he supports the latest change. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Governor Bill Ritter signed an executive order on Wednesday that could lead to an overhaul of the state’s child welfare system. The Governor says the system has failed to protect neglected and abused children. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Governor Bill Ritter released documents on Tuesday that show his campaign violated campaign finance laws last year. The Secretary of State, the Denver District Attorney and Colorado’s Attorney General are now reviewing the documents – but haven’t decided whether to press charges. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Promoting the use of renewable energy has been a cornerstone of Governor Bill Ritter’s administration since taking office last year. But the state was already heading in that direction. Colorado became the first in the nation to pass a voter driven statewide renewable energy requirement in 2004 – and the legislature has since doubled its requirement. Bente Birkeland examines the state’s solar energy industry. How far its come and the challenges it still faces.

Starting in July Coloradan’s will be able to buy alcohol on Sunday thanks to a bill signed by Governor Bill Ritter on Monday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Education, healthcare, transportation. You might call these the bread and butter issues at the capitol. You can pretty much guarantee they’ll take up a large chunk of debate, they always need money, and there’s never enough to go around. Bente Birkeland talks about what’s happening with healthcare and transportation as part of our weekly capitol conversation serious.