March - 2018

The Politics of Menstruation

The Politics of Menstruation

More than 18 million American women are living in poverty as of 2014; 40 percent of America’s 565,000 homeless people are women; and as of 2017,219,000 American women are incarcerated. That’s a lot of women struggling to afford and access feminine hygiene products. Additionally, girls are missing school because of their periods, and women on SNAP benefits are skipping meals to pay the “luxury” sales tax on tampons. This inaccessibility has consequences even more far-reaching

Lawmakers at odds with Hickenlooper administration over leasing private prison

Lawmakers at odds with Hickenlooper administration over leasing private prison

“There is a concern that we are taking human judgment out of the equation and we’re working only for budgetary targets,” Sobanet told the working group. “It merits some evaluation and some stakeholder work.” After a steady decline since 2011, the prison population is expected to start rising again — increasing the stakes for the sentencing reform efforts. But it’s unclear if the lawmakers’ effort to reel in DOC’s budget will lead to prison overcrowding. A report by a Joint Bu

Deep partisan divide over future of Colorado Civil Rights Commission shows no signs of breaking

Deep partisan divide over future of Colorado Civil Rights Commission shows no signs of breaking

Republicans again tried to significantly change the commission’s makeup after raising concerns about the fairness of its current processes and also tried to open an avenue for employers and landlords to defend themselves against discrimination claims by citing their religious beliefs. Democrats accused their GOP counterparts of trying to weaken protections for those facing discrimination. “We are harkening back to a time that we have said that we have moved past,” state Rep.

By Policy Or Pressures Unsaid, Capitol Aides And Interns Remain Quiet On Harassment

By Policy Or Pressures Unsaid, Capitol Aides And Interns Remain Quiet On Harassment

Sexual harassment scandals at the Colorado Capitol have drawn attention to one group that isn’t used to the limelight: lawmakers’ aides and interns. Many say that are they the legislature’s most vulnerable workforce. In the run-up to the historic vote that expelled Rep. Steve Lebsock for sexual harassment, Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod recounted her first year experience as a legislative aide. Twenty-two-years-old and fresh out of college, she took enormous pride in her positi

STORMING THE CAPITOL: WHAT LGBTQ LOBBY DAY FOUGHT FOR

STORMING THE CAPITOL: WHAT LGBTQ LOBBY DAY FOUGHT FOR

Representative Leslie Herod, a member of Colorado’s LGBTQ Caucus, spoke briefly, urging constituents to stay politically informed and active, because the legislative process is an arduous and slippery one, making progress susceptible to attacks. “I think the tide is turning,” she said smiling. “But, we know that our issues are much bigger than just marriage [equality]. We are impacted by everything that happens in this building.” Shortly thereafter, Herod and other members of

Colorado Lawmakers Form Colorado Cannabis Caucus

Colorado Lawmakers Form Colorado Cannabis Caucus

State lawmakers in Colorado have launched the Colorado Cannabis Caucus – the first of its kind for any state Legislature, according to a report from Westword. The state caucus comes more than a year after federal lawmakers from states with legal cannabis accessformed the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. So far, only Democrats have indicated they would attend the first meeting, including Reps. Dan Pabon, Leslie Herod, Matt Gray, Chris Hansen, Jonathan Singer, and Dylan Roberts.

Colorado Cannabis Caucus: First State Legislature Group of Its Kind to Launch

Colorado Cannabis Caucus: First State Legislature Group of Its Kind to Launch

"This kind of caucus is something we at the national level have been looking at for quite some time," says NORML outreach director Kevin Mahmalji, who's based in Denver. "Since the formation of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, it just made sense to have something similar at the state level." Several members of Congress from Colorado are part of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, including Jared Polis. According to Mahmalji, "we've had several internal discussions about a Co

Lawmakers put the kibosh on leasing Huerfano prison, call for sentencing reforms

Lawmakers put the kibosh on leasing Huerfano prison, call for sentencing reforms

“There are better opportunities for treatment than the Department of Corrections,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, told The Colorado Independent. Giving these offenders treatment instead of prison time, she said, will help keep recidivism rates down. To deal with an expected rise in the prison population, DOC is hoping to open up more private prison beds, including those in Colorado State Penitentiary II, now called the Centennial South Correctional Facility, which was buil

Drug felony cases double in six years in Colorado, renewing calls for more treatment and less prison

Drug felony cases double in six years in Colorado, renewing calls for more treatment and less prison

The Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition report, released Monday, also found 75 percent of felony drug filings last year were for simple possession. Of those sentenced last year to prison for drug possession, 84 percent were originally charged only with possession. The increase in drug felony filings appears to have a disproportionate impact on women offenders, the report states. Two Democrats — Rep. Leslie Herod of Denver and Rep. Pete Lee of Colorado Springs — said th

Republicans, Democrats launch Colorado’s 2018 election at precinct caucuses

Republicans, Democrats launch Colorado’s 2018 election at precinct caucuses

Thousands of Republicans and Democrats are gathering at precinct caucuses across Colorado in schools, churches and community centers Tuesday night to conduct nuts-and-bolts politics as the election season officially kicks off. For months, candidates have been urging supporters to turn out at the neighborhood meetings, where voters will begin the process of placing names on the June primary ballot, consider resolutions that might become part of party platforms and take care of

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