Colorado oil and gas, climate deal includes fees, abandoned bills

Leading Colorado Democrats and the state’s oil and gas industry announced a preemptive armistice Monday — one that seeks to defuse the latest round of dueling ballot initiatives and legislation aimed at the industry and its environmental impacts. The proposals, described to reporters by Gov. Jared Polis and legislative leadership, include imposing a new per-barrel … Read more

Colorado’s Democratic and Republican congressional primary candidates

All eight of Colorado’s congressional districts will have candidates on the June 25 primary ballot. And in three of those districts — the 3rd, 4th and 5th — the seat is open, providing the ingredients for a more boisterous fight than normal ahead of November’s election. Here is a look at who will be on … Read more

Denver sweeps Lincoln Park homeless encampment without shelter to offer

City crews on Tuesday morning began shutting down a homeless encampment in Denver’s western Lincoln Park neighborhood due to public safety concerns including three overdose deaths and more than two dozen felony arrests there over the last few months, according to city officials. Cleanup work at the encampment centered on the intersection of West Eighth … Read more

Douglas County sues Colorado over immigration laws’ restrictions

Douglas County filed suit Monday against the state of Colorado, alleging that two laws prohibiting local governments from cooperating with the federal government on immigration enforcement violate the state constitution. The lawsuit, which other conservative counties are considering joining, takes aim at laws passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Jared Polis in recent … Read more

Denver’s Roads to Recovery initiative prioritizes treatment over jail

For Aly Garrett, the safe haven provided by Tribe Recovery Homes is a source of inspiration and, she hopes, salvation. The 34-year-old is on probation for charges related to fentanyl use. Her addiction started four years ago while she was in an abusive relationship and dealing with trauma that stemmed from her mother’s use of … Read more

Colorado gun-free zone bill stripped of bars, parks, protests

A proposal to limit where people can carry firearms in Colorado, openly or with concealed carry permits, was narrowed substantially Wednesday as sponsors fought to win a key committee vote in the state Senate. The bill as introduced would have banned firearms from being carried at a slew of places, including stadiums, protests at public locations, … Read more

Denver groups work to reduce migration by improving Guatemalans’ lives

JOCOTENANGO, Guatemala — On a quiet cobblestone street in a town 90 minutes outside of Guatemala City, class was in session for hundreds of young Guatemalans on a Monday morning. Children in kindergarten through ninth grade moved through the open-air courtyard of the free private school for disadvantaged students, which is run by a global … Read more

Number of migrants in Denver shelters dips below 1,000

The number of migrants staying in Denver shelters dipped below 1,000 for the first time in six months this week, leading city officials to consolidate hotel shelters amid a period of respite. Sarah Plastino, Denver’s recently hired newcomer program manager, called the dip in numbers a “turning point for the city” during a lull in … Read more

Colorado lawmakers begin debating ban on sale of assault weapons

Updated at 1:17 p.m.: As the first public commenters began to testify for and against the “assault” weapons bill late Tuesday morning, common themes quickly emerged. For supporters of the bill, which would ban the sale and purchase of certain semi-automatic weapons, the measure is a response to the mass shootings that have become routine … Read more

Colorado lawmakers weigh new building style as fire chiefs push back

As Sean Jursnick traveled through Europe, he marveled at its buildings. The Denver-based architect was particularly struck by a type of development that’s largely illegal in the United States: taller apartment buildings with just a single staircase. Such buildings often feature apartments or condos situated around a central flight of stairs, with front doors opening directly … Read more