Political battle brewing over Civil Rights Commission re-authorization
Partisan politics are flaring up in Denver over the future of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Democrats in the state legislature, along with dozens of civil rights groups, staged a rally on the west steps of the Capitol protesting a move by Republicans on the budget committee last week to withhold funding for the commission until lawmakers reauthorize the commission's legislation.
Republican Senators want to change the bill with regards to how people are appointed to the board. Democrats and activists say their colleagues shouldn't be playing politics with such an important watchdog agency.
"We have shown time and time again that when there are attacks on our rights, the people will show up and the people will be heard," Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran told the crowd.
Her sentiments were echoed by Rep. Leslie Herod who noted Colorado's long history of supporting Civil Rights Issues.
