Black Democratic Caucus convenes in the ‘Harlem of the West’
The Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado held its annual opening reception this week. Also celebrated as the Historic Eight, this delegation is made up of six House and two Senate members working collectively to create and track legislation focused on Coloradans of color. The intimate event took place at the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, rightfully so. Five Points is nostalgically known as the “Harle
Bill forcing detailed disclosure in out-of-Colorado prison transfers — sparked by Aurora theater sho
A bipartisan measure that would require Colorado prison officials to disclose to victims and prosecutors the whereabouts of inmates relocated out of state — except for in limited situations involving a safety risk — received an initial nod of approval Monday at the Capitol. Inspired by victim uproar about the hidden movement of the imprisoned Aurora theater shooter, Senate Bill 14 would require the Colorado Department of Corrections to issue alerts within 48 hours of an inmat
Supervised drug injection facilities face uphill fight at Colorado statehouse
Rep. Brittany Pettersen turned to her own story on Monday as she called for a new approach to drug addiction in Colorado. “My mom is one of the statistics here in our state,” the Democrat said at a press conference in the Capitol. “She became addicted to prescription opioids almost 30 years ago.” Standing alongside Rep. Leslie Herod, the state lawmaker said her colleagues should embrace a strategy known as harm reduction. A bill in the statehouse would allow for the creation
State Senators Push For ‘Harm Reduction Facility’ Bill
State Representatives Leslie Herod and Brittany Pattersen, both Democrats, are pushing ahead with legislation that would allow for a supervised heroin use facility. “We are just trying to create a space where people can be overseen by health professionals so that they don’t die today – bring them out of the shadows and increase the likelihood they will be seen,” said Pattersen. Read full article
In final State of the State, Hickenlooper outlines ambitious agenda that targets unfinished business
In his final State of the State address, Gov. John Hickenlooper outlined an ambitious agenda for a state that transformed under his watch into one of the nation’s most vibrant economies — and yet ... Read full article
‘Historic Eight’ black legislators are working on issues affecting Coloradans of color
As the legislative session started Wednesday you could feel the excitement and anxiety in both chambers. Priorities were laid out for the next 119 days, including working to improve Colorado’s roads, addressing a projected shortfall in state employees’ pension system, expanding rural broadband accessibility, tackling energy, solving the state’s opioid crisis and ensuring men and women who work at the Capitol feel protected and feel heard amid looming allegations of sexual mis
Rep. Leslie Herod’s Leadership Fund announces primary endorsements
Most lawmakers with their own political action funds keep it on the down-low. But Rep. Leslie Herod is not most lawmakers. The Denver Democrat and first lesbian African-American woman elected to the Colorado General Assembly rolled out a list of endorsements Tuesday from the Herod Leadership Fund, which works to elect progressive candidates of color, LGBT people, women and their allies to state and local offices. Herod’s endorsements do something most PACs also don’t do: endo
10 things to watch in the 2018 Colorado legislature
Non-neutral on net neutrality Democrats across the country pounced on the FCC’s elimination of net neutrality. Democrats in Washington and Colorado are expected to try to enforce state consumer protections, in spite of the Trump administration effort to deregulate providers. Those providers could charge websites more for higher speeds, a cost likely passed on to customers. Democratic Reps. Leslie Herod and Chris Hansen, both of Denver, pledge to run a net neutrality bill to p
