Tracking what's destroying Colorado
A curated collection of bills, news, and resources about Colorado politics and policy
A curated collection of bills, news, and resources about Colorado politics and policy
Colorado political news, elections, state legislature, and government updates.
105 articles tagged with "Politics"
The X post from @FreeStateColor1 announces the passage of Colorado Senate Bill 26-043 in the state Senate on March 2, 2026, with a 19-16 vote along party lines. The bill, titled "Record Keeping & Regulation of Sale of Firearm Barrel," mandates that firearm barrels can only be sold or transferred in person by federally licensed dealers, prohibits non-dealers from possessing barrels with intent to sell, requires buyers to be at least 18 and eligible under firearm laws, and obligates dealers to maintain records for five years. Sponsored by Democrats, it aims to regulate firearm components like barrels similarly to complete guns, with violations treated as misdemeanors. The post labels it "bad news" and includes a video of the vote count, highlighting Democratic support for the measure, which now heads to the House.
The X post by @JustJenRX highlights a video of Colorado State Representative Brandi Bradley passionately arguing for HB25-1073, a bill aimed at imposing mandatory prison sentences for those convicted of sexually assaulting children under 15, eliminating probation options. Bradley cites alarming statistics: 70% of child sex offenders in Colorado receive probation without jail time, 73% of those imprisoned are paroled after an average of just 8 years, and no offender has been sentenced to more than 25 years. The bill failed in the House Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote, with 6 out of 7 Democrats voting to postpone it indefinitely (effectively killing it), while all 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat opposed the postponement. The post accuses all Democrats of voting against child protection, urging Coloradans to wake up to the lenient sentencing that leaves victims with lifelong trauma.
Colorado House Bill 26-1082, the "Children Are Not for Sale Act," sponsored by Republican Rep. Scott Bottoms, aimed to toughen penalties for human trafficking of minors for sexual servitude by reclassifying it as a Class 1 felony—mandating life imprisonment without parole. It also expanded the offense to include trading anything of value for sexual acts with a trafficked minor. On February 10, 2026, the Democratic-controlled House Judiciary Committee killed the bill on a strict party-line vote of 7-4, postponing it indefinitely with zero Democrats in support.
In a move straight out of the progressive playbook, Democrat sponsors (Sens. Nick Hinrichsen and Lisa Cutter, Reps. Lorena García and Rebekah Stewart) have introduced SB26-097 to wipe out Colorado's longstanding laws against prostitution. The bill repeals criminal penalties for buying, selling, or facilitating adult commercial sex, overrides city and county bans, and updates related statutes (like pimping) to use the euphemistic term "commercial sexual activity." While penalties for coercion or child-related offenses remain (and are addressed in separate bills like SB26-015), this legislation effectively normalizes paid sex as a legitimate transaction between "consenting adults." It's currently assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 2026 session.
The X post from @GOP_Jeffco highlights the ongoing property tax crisis in Colorado, attributing massive increases—up to 40% or more in 2026—to expiring temporary relief measures and long-term Democratic policies. It cites surging residential values (27%+ in 2023), statewide collections exceeding $15 billion from 2019-2024, and disproportionate burdens on businesses with commercial taxes nearly 4x residential rates. The post criticizes Democrats for repealing the Gallagher Amendment, blocking mill-levy cuts, and prioritizing "pet projects" over relief, while noting low approval ratings for Gov. Polis (around 40%) and high unfavorability for Democrats (60%). It calls for electing Republicans in 2026 to end "one-party rule" and provide real tax relief, urging users to share their stories.
The X post by @texnbob1 alerts conservatives to an ongoing global campaign to suppress right-wing voices on social media, echoing warnings from Mike Benz about international threats. It spotlights Wyoming House Bill 70, known as the GRANITE Act (Guaranteeing Rights Against Novel International Tyranny and Extortion), which creates legal protections for Wyoming residents by allowing them to sue foreign governments and organizations—like the UK's Ofcom or Brazil's courts—for attempting to enforce censorship laws that violate U.S. constitutional rights. The bill prohibits state cooperation with such foreign judgments, imposes hefty penalties including treble damages or up to $10 million per threat, and aims to shield online speech from extraterritorial overreach, positioning Wyoming as a pioneer in combating what it sees as attacks on free expression in digital spaces.
In a contentious vote on February 2, 2026, the Colorado House of Representatives considered the "Carissa Amendment" (L.003) to Senate Joint Resolution SJR26-006, a Democrat-sponsored measure aimed at supporting immigrants navigating the U.S. system and advocating for "humane" federal reforms. The amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Brandi Bradley, sought to recognize Carissa Aspnes—a Colorado woman permanently disabled in a hit-and-run by an illegal immigrant released under Biden-era policies—and push for stricter penalties on crimes committed by illegal aliens against U.S. citizens. The amendment failed 19-41 along strict party lines, with all Republicans voting yes and every Democrat voting no, highlighting a deep divide where Democrats prioritized immigrant protections over enhanced accountability for crimes impacting Americans.
In Douglas County, Colorado, thieves are using electric saws to steal valuable brass and copper backflow prevention valves from residential sprinkler systems, selling them for scrap. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is urging homeowners to regularly inspect their irrigation setups after a spike in these targeted thefts, which risk contaminating local drinking water supplies.
In a post by @Erin4Parents, Fort Collins Mayor Emily Francis is called out for organizing a "stop ICE" run while previously pushing for a rainbow pride crosswalk using public funds. The video highlights the crosswalk's ribbon-cutting on National Coming Out Day, featuring a person in a dog mask—allegedly the mayor's partner—howling and on a leash at the event, portraying it as bizarre virtue signaling and a misuse of taxpayer money in a liberal "twilight zone."
A Colorado resident shares a heartbreaking story about their 77-year-old father, living on Social Security in a home he's owned since 1993 and paid off for decades, now facing an $8,088 property tax bill—up nearly $1,400 from last year's $6,700. Confused by broken promises of no increases for two years, they accuse the state of trying to force people out, tagging Governor Jared Polis in a viral X post that's sparked outrage over government overreach and elder financial burdens.
An X post from @govtgrifters highlights a January 2026 expense report from Colorado's Department of Early Childhood, showing over $330,000 in ARPA-funded grants awarded to the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, the top recipient among various non-profits. The post calls out Democratic State Representative Lorena Garcia, who serves as the organization's CEO, questioning why a sitting legislator's group is receiving substantial taxpayer-funded "COVID relief" years after the pandemic.
This X post from @StatisticUrban shares a U.S. map highlighting 2024 median household incomes (adjusted to December 2025 dollars), with Colorado boasting $111.1K—one of the nation's highest, alongside states like Utah ($109.3K) and Massachusetts ($119.7K). The poster marvels at why Colorado and Utah have surged so wealthily, noting Massachusetts' $120K as particularly striking. The map uses a color gradient from yellow (lowest, e.g., Mississippi at $59.4K) to deep purple (highest), underscoring regional disparities driven by factors like education, industry, and demographics.
Rob Andrews, a Democrat-endorsed city councilman in Aurora, Colorado, who chairs the public safety committee, was arrested for DUI after weaving lanes in his vehicle. When asked for his driver's license, he handed over his council ID instead. His stepson, Lynden Fredrick, attempted to exit the car during the stop, spat toward an officer (missing by inches), and became disrespectful. Andrews failed sobriety tests and was jailed, while his stepson was allowed to leave. The incident highlights a stark contrast between Andrews' role in overseeing public safety and his alleged reckless behavior.
In a shocking expose on X, user @beaverd highlights Deloitte's staggering $800 million+ haul from Colorado government contracts since 2011, despite repeated failures in audits and system implementations. This nationwide plague of crony consulting is epitomized by figures like Kristin Russell, whose career ping-pongs between Big Tech, state government, and Deloitte—ensuring the swamp stays deep and taxpayers stay drained. It's time to slam the door on this wasteful revolving racket.
A new Colorado law (HB 25-1090) took effect January 1, 2026, requiring businesses—including landlords, restaurants, and ticket sellers—to disclose all mandatory fees upfront for "total price" transparency and banning certain hidden charges in rentals (like pest control or property tax fees). However, as The Colorado Sun reports, many so-called "junk fees" persist if disclosed in advance, such as kitchen appreciation charges, delivery fees, convenience fees, and various apartment add-ons. Consumer advocates complain it's not enough to curb housing costs, while businesses argue uniform rules prevent misleading comparisons. The article highlights ongoing fees despite the law, with some enforcement actions like a prior lawsuit against a major landlord.
This X post from @concernedforco highlights the massive influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), dubbed the "Fourth Branch" of government. It cites staggering figures: $14.1 trillion in NGO assets, $303 billion in annual government grants, 12.5 million employees (the third-largest workforce), $1.9 billion in dark money for the 2024 elections, 99.5% government funding for Episcopal Migration Ministries, and over $2 billion in damages from the 2020 riots. The post quotes Benjamin Franklin's warning about preserving the republic and urges readers to explore an linked article on these unelected, unaccountable entities wielding immense power like a shadow government.
In a letter to constituent Mark, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) expresses outrage over the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, blaming President Trump's "lawless, anti-immigrant agenda" for terrorizing communities and lacking oversight. She criticizes ICE for detaining legal residents and convicted criminals alike, often without criminal histories, and highlights the emotional toll on families. Pettersen touts her sponsorship of legislation requiring ICE agents to operate unmasked and in marked vehicles, her vote against additional ICE funding or authority, and her call for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's resignation or impeachment over failed oversight in Texas border operations and FEMA search-and-rescue efforts.
The 2025 U-Haul Growth Index highlights Texas reclaiming the top spot for net migration gains, with Southern states like Florida and North Carolina dominating the leaderboard. While Colorado squeaked into the top half at 23rd place with a modest net gain—up from a dismal 40th in 2024—this masks a deeper crisis. Despite the slight uptick in U-Haul data, broader migration studies from United Van Lines and others reveal Colorado as a top outbound state, hemorrhaging middle-class families due to skyrocketing costs and failed policies. This right-leaning analysis zeros in on the root causes: progressive overreach that's turning the Centennial State into a cautionary tale of economic and social decay.
Colorado's newly introduced SB26-005 creates a civil cause of action allowing anyone injured during immigration enforcement to sue participants—including potentially private citizens who provide tips to ICE—if a U.S. Constitution violation is alleged. Sponsored by Democrats like Sen. Mike Weissman and Julie Gonzales, the bill ignores federal supremacy on immigration and could chill public cooperation with deportation efforts. As of January 15, 2026, it's under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee, part of a broader Democratic push to regulate and obstruct federal immigration actions amid Trump's mass-deportation policies.
An X video post by Angela Rose tours Fort Morgan, Colorado, focusing on the Cargill meat factory where a significant portion of workers are Somali, with most Somalis in the town employed there. She details a 2015 incident where Somali employees demanded to leave the production line in groups of 11 for prayer breaks on the clock, but the company negotiated for 2-3 at a time; unsatisfied, 200 staged a 3-day walkout, leading to firings and a discrimination lawsuit where 138 were awarded $11,500 each (totaling around $1.5 million). Rose contrasts welcoming American small businesses with what she describes as shady, unclear Somali-owned stores, and criticizes Colorado's policies like taxpayer-funded abortions and gender-affirming care as hypocritical favoritism toward certain groups. In a follow-up post, Rose updates that the Somali population estimate of 2% is outdated—from 200 people in 2005 to around 1,200 in the late 2010s, now comprising over 8-9% of Fort Morgan's population—and expresses concern for preserving the historic downtown's beauty.
An X post highlights Colorado State Representative Lorena Garcia's path to power: appointed rather than elected, endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and her nonprofit seeing a massive revenue spike post-appointment. The poster criticizes this as a "bait and switch" tactic contributing to the state's decline, noting that one-third of Colorado's reps are appointed via vacancy committees.
A citizen journalist account, @dobetterdnvr, posted an urgent safety alert for women in Denver following a violent attack on a female jogger near Broadway and Louisiana avenues on January 7, 2026, around 6pm. The unknown male suspect tackled, strangled, and attempted to abduct the victim, who fought back and escaped with help from a Good Samaritan. The post highlights police delays due to underfunding and understaffing, urging anyone with information to contact Denver Police, and emphasizes the need for safer neighborhoods.
The X post by @logiclives criticizes Denver Public Schools for issuing nearly $1 billion in Certificates of Participation (COPs), with $850 million in principal outstanding, to fund projects without voter approval. This tactic, also used by the state government, circumvents Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) by treating the obligations as leases rather than debt, leaving Denver taxpayers on the hook for about $2,000 per person. The post warns that Democrats are exploiting this loophole to enable unchecked spending and urges resistance to any efforts to weaken TABOR.
In 2026, Colorado's bloated state welfare programs face deserved federal crackdowns after shocking revelations of fraud and inefficiency. From HUD paying housing benefits to 221 deceased individuals and thousands of ineligible recipients, to a $40 million Medicaid scam targeting seniors with unnecessary tests, SNAP funding battles amid administrative failures, and hospitals drowning in uncompensated care partly from surges in uninsured migrants — these scandals highlight years of lax oversight draining taxpayer dollars and rewarding abuse.
Children's Hospital Colorado and Denver Health have suspended all medical gender-affirming care for patients under 18, including prescriptions for puberty blockers and hormone therapy, though neither performed surgeries on minors. This decision follows a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) referral for an investigation into Children's Hospital Colorado, which threatens the hospital's Medicare and Medicaid funding—critical for serving hundreds of thousands of children. The hospitals described the move as a response to escalating HHS actions under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who declared such procedures unsafe and ineffective, amid a broader Trump administration push to restrict transgender youth care nationwide. Background includes a July DOJ subpoena for records, which the hospital is fighting in court. While supportive services continue, the suspensions disrupt patient-provider relationships and access to these treatments, placing Colorado at the center of national legal battles over transgender minor care.
In this X post by @logiclives (LogicandLiberty), a Colorado political commentator and podcast host, Denver's homelessness crisis is exposed as a prime example of government waste. Sharing a screenshot from a June 2025 Common Sense Institute report, the post highlights how Denver Metro hit record homelessness levels in 2025, with chronic cases growing despite shrinking unsheltered shares, while the city faces a $250 million budget shortfall prompting cuts after allocating $203 million in 2023-2024. It slams the Department of Housing Stability for failing a 2024 audit on spending tracking and accountability, questioning broader program mismanagement since homelessness rose from 2019. Dated January 3, 2026, the post has 216 likes, 73 reposts, and 21 replies, with commenters decrying NGO grift, historical flops like the 2005 "Denver’s Road Home" initiative that burned $63 million without results, and calls for audits to uncover taxpayer fraud. Replies tie it to Democrat gullibility and suggest the spending perpetuates problems for funding's sake, under hashtags like #copolitics.
In this X post by @mrosazza (Denver Fail), a conservative critic, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is slammed as "Rocky Mountain Mamdani" for his deep ties to Venezuela amid Colorado's "forced invasion" by migrants. The post quotes how Johnston led a 2023 coalition of mayors from cities like Denver, Chicago, Houston, LA, and New York to push for federal reforms, including faster work permits, expanded TPS for Venezuelans, and more funding for integration. It accuses these cities of being voter fraud epicenters and labels Johnston a "billionaire puppet" harming Coloradans. Accompanied by an image of Johnston linked to the Mayors Migration Council, the post from January 3, 2026, has 677 likes, 305 reposts, and sparks replies blaming Democrat corruption, calling for ICE action against gangs like Tren de Aragua, and alleging ties to NGOs and hidden money.
In this X post by @GovtsTheProblem, a small-government advocate, Colorado Democrats are lambasted for turning Denver into one of America's least safe cities per WalletHub's latest Safest Cities in America rankings. Denver lands at a dismal 162nd out of 182 cities with a total score of 42.86, ranking worse than Albuquerque (154th), St. Louis (157th), and Chicago (161st) in overall safety, which factors in home/community safety, natural disasters, and financial security. The attached screenshot shows the tail end of the list, emphasizing Denver's poor 172nd place in home and community safety. Replies echo the sentiment, blaming leftist policies for rising crime, with one user noting Colorado's high violent crime rate (7th worst nationally per U.S. News), and others mocking Governor Polis while highlighting dangers like lenient laws on murderers. The post, dated January 3, 2026, has garnered over 330 likes and sparks discussion on #copolitics, portraying Democratic governance as a recipe for urban decay.
In a scathing X post, Sean Paige highlights the closure of the Colowyo coal mine in Moffat County, Colorado, effective January 1, 2026, resulting in 133 direct layoffs and potentially 437 total job losses, devastating local economies with a 43% drop in property taxes. He blasts state "green zealots" and the "climate cult" for pushing anti-coal policies that ignore soaring global coal demand (record 8.8 billion tons in 2024), especially in China and India, while Colorado phases out coal by 2030. Paige calls out silent Democratic leaders like Governor Polis, Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet, and AG Weiser for prioritizing Boulder elites over rural workers, labeling the move as economic suicide that exports pollution and imports poverty. Accompanied by an image of miners holding signs reading "expendable," "invisible," and "forgotten," the post demands a rethink to save Colorado jobs.
A Colorado conservative account highlights a staggering 306% surge in Medicaid spending on pediatric behavioral therapies from 2018-2024, linking it to potential overbilling and fraud driven by private equity-backed providers. Drawing parallels to Minnesota's exploding autism and child services fraud scandals—where billions in taxpayer dollars have been stolen through fake claims and non-existent services—the post warns that Colorado risks the same fate without urgent oversight and reforms.
Colorado families and businesses are facing an unprecedented squeeze from skyrocketing taxes, fees, and external pressures like federal tariffs. While lawmakers tout programs like free school meals and child care subsidies, the reality is a massive shift of burdens onto taxpayers—through TABOR loopholes, voter-approved hikes on high earners, and new local sales taxes. Denver households now shell out over $51,000 annually in taxes and fees, up nearly 50% in recent years, far outpacing income growth. Add in Trump's tariffs driving up costs, and it's clear: Colorado's government is growing faster than its people can afford.
The Denver Post article, published on May 15, 2025, reports that House Republicans have proposed a bill cutting federal Medicaid spending by at least $880 billion over the next decade to help extend President Trump's tax cuts. For Colorado, this could mean billions in lost funding, potentially leading to a state budget shortfall and up to 108,000 residents losing coverage, mainly due to new work requirements and reduced federal matching funds. Critics, including Democrats like Rep. Diana DeGette and Gov. Jared Polis, argue the cuts prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy over health care access, risking higher costs and uncompensated care for providers. Republicans, such as Rep. Gabe Evans, counter that the plan targets fraud and waste while ensuring Medicaid's sustainability for vulnerable populations, with spending still projected to rise annually. The bill has advanced through committee but faces uncertain passage in Congress, and Colorado officials are preparing potential responses, including a special legislative session.
In a segment on Colorado Point of View (a weekly political analysis show on FOX31 Denver and CW2), conservative analyst Michael Fields highlights how Colorado Democrats, despite inheriting a massive $3.6 billion budget surplus, overspent dramatically and are now openly discussing the need to raise taxes on residents. Fields criticizes this as fiscal irresponsibility, pointing to unchecked government spending under one-party Democratic control.
In this interview clip, Colorado Governor Jared Polis (a Democrat) discusses the tangible economic fallout from escalating U.S. tariffs on imported goods. He argues that Coloradans are feeling the pinch more acutely now than a year prior, with higher costs for everyday items like electronics, clothing, and building materials rippling through the supply chain. Polis highlights Colorado's reliance on global trade—especially in tech, agriculture, and manufacturing—and warns that these policies exacerbate inflation, hurt small businesses, and stifle job growth without delivering promised protections for domestic industries. The segment underscores a broader critique of protectionist trade strategies, framing them as a self-inflicted wound on American consumers.
In a stunning display of misplaced priorities, Colorado House Republicans, led by Rep. Brandi Bradley, proposed a straightforward bill to crack down on surging retail theft—up 6% last year with over 40,000 cases and a staggering $1 billion in losses to organized crime. But Democrats in the legislature shot it down, bizarrely claiming property crime is "decreasing" despite mountains of evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, in the same session, they rammed through a radical bill making Colorado the first state to criminalize "misgendering" on death certificates, forcing coroners and funeral directors to list preferred pronouns over biological sex—potentially leading to absurdities like men "dying from ovarian cancer" and women from "prostate cancer." This not only tramples religious freedoms but diverts focus from real crises like business-killing theft rings. As businesses lock up basics like deodorant and families flee the chaos, this episode underscores a legislature obsessed with woke symbolism over public safety and common sense.
This report from the Common Sense Institute warns that Colorado's state legislature is drowning in a sea of excessive laws and ballot measures, passing a record 527 bills in 2024 alone—a 33% spike over pre-2019 norms and the third-highest growth nationally since 2012. Bills are not just more numerous but 51% more complex, doubling in word count from earlier years, often spawning from mandates like HB19-1261's aggressive emissions targets. Meanwhile, citizen-initiated ballot questions have quadrupled to 16 in the latest cycle, fueling a vicious cycle of policy overload. Amid tepid population growth (net domestic migration down to 7,000 in 2023 from 57,000 in 2015) and soaring living costs, this frenzy correlates with drops in key metrics: education, health, housing, infrastructure, public safety, and state budgeting. The result? Heavier taxes, fees, and red tape strangling businesses and free enterprise, eroding Colorado's once-golden appeal. The fix? Slow down, deliberate more, and prioritize data over hasty activism.
Denver City Council recently greenlit $33 million in contracts for San Francisco-based nonprofit Urban Alchemy to operate The Aspen homeless shelter and provide "community ambassador" services. The deal, pushed by former Urban Alchemy executive Jeff Kositsky—now a city deputy director—comes amid scrutiny over CEO Lena Miller's $370K salary, first-class business travel perks, and the organization's rapid expansion fueled by government contracts. Critics highlight potential conflicts of interest and past allegations of mismanagement, while supporters tout its workforce programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. The move replaces The Salvation Army and underscores Denver's ongoing $1B+ push to address homelessness.
In a blistering late-night Truth Social post, President Donald Trump demanded the immediate release of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County, Colorado, election clerk convicted in August 2024 of election interference for allegedly allowing unauthorized access to voting systems in 2021 to support debunked 2020 election fraud claims pushed by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Peters, a 70-year-old cancer survivor, was sentenced to nine years in state prison after a jury found her guilty on seven counts, including four felonies, for stealing a colleague's security badge to facilitate the breach. Last month, the Colorado Department of Corrections—under Democratic Gov. Jared Polis's authority—denied a Federal Bureau of Prisons request to transfer her to federal custody. Trump lambasted Polis as a "lightweight" and "SLEAZEBAG" for the refusal, arguing Peters was "unfairly convicted" for simply "preserving Election Records" as required by federal law, and tied the snub to broader state failures like unchecked Venezuelan gang activity from Tren de Aragua. Polis fired back on X, urging Trump to ditch the attacks and focus on slashing tariffs to ease holiday costs for families, while his office noted the prosecution was led by Republican District Attorney Daniel Rubinstein in a GOP-heavy district. The clash underscores lingering 2020 election tensions, pitting Trump's narrative of political persecution against Democratic defenses of judicial independence and state sovereignty.
The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to hear a pivotal case challenging the state's requirement that ballot measure committees disclose the names of their registered agents in all election-related communications, such as ads and social media posts. The dispute originated in 2020 when the "No on EE" committee, opposing a nicotine and vaping tax measure, was fined $30,000 by the Secretary of State's office for omitting the agent's name from its materials—despite promptly correcting the oversight after a complaint. A divided Colorado Court of Appeals ruled in August 2024 that the mandate violates the First Amendment, deeming it an unnecessary burden with little informational value, as agents are merely legal paperwork recipients, not key decision-makers. Secretary of State Jena Griswold appealed, arguing it ensures voter awareness of who influences elections, while the Institute for Free Speech, representing No on EE, contends it imposes excessive compliance costs, especially on digital platforms. The outcome could reshape disclosure rules, balancing free speech protections against transparency demands in political advocacy.
The Aurora Police Department released city camera footage of a fatal November 2025 pursuit involving a stolen vehicle that crashed into a pole at Alameda and Peoria, killing both occupants. The passenger, 41-year-old Sheena Fuentes, had been arrested in October for accessory to murder in a Del Mar Circle homicide and was out on bond; the driver, 52-year-old Manuel Tovar, boasted an "extensive criminal history." The pair fled at high speed, lost control during a turn, and died on scene. APD stressed that most pursuit suspects have criminal backgrounds (only 16% end in crashes) and reiterated their commitment to accountability, warning that fleeing endangers lives. The post sparked backlash in replies, with users slamming Colorado's "catch-and-release" policies, demanding names of judges and DAs who freed Fuentes, and linking the incident to broader state lawlessness under Gov. Polis.
On December 3, 2025, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) issued a subpoena compelling former Special Counsel Jack Smith to sit for a closed-door interview on December 17, 2025, and turn over records related to his high-profile prosecutions of President Donald Trump. Smith, appointed in 2022 by AG Merrick Garland, led probes into Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, filing indictments in both cases before dropping them after Trump's 2024 victory—citing DOJ policy against charging a sitting president. The subpoena targets Smith's team's aggressive tactics, including subpoenas for phone toll records (call numbers, times, durations) from select GOP lawmakers around January 6, 2021, without content review. Smith had offered public testimony six weeks earlier, but Republicans insisted on privacy to probe sensitive details. His attorney, Peter Koski, decried the snub: "We are disappointed... the American people will be denied the opportunity to hear directly from Jack." Smith's team fired back in October, insisting their work was "consistent with... following the facts and the law, without fear or favor," and that toll record grabs were "entirely proper."
In a unanimous vote, the Colorado Title Board on December 3, 2025, greenlit Ballot Measure No. 181 for the 2026 ballot, proposing to scrap the state's flat 4.41% income tax for a graduated system with a dozen brackets starting in 2027. Backed by the left-leaning Bell Policy Center and allies like the Colorado Fiscal Institute, the overhaul promises minor cuts (a few hundred dollars yearly) for earners under $500,000 while slamming high-income individuals and businesses—especially those over $10 million—with hikes of hundreds of thousands annually. A revised fiscal estimate from the Legislative Council staff ballooned the projected revenue grab from $2.3 billion to a whopping $4.1 billion yearly, earmarked for teacher raises, plugging Medicaid shortfalls amid federal cuts, and funding childcare/workforce programs, with an audit mandate for excess funds. Proponents hail it as a fix for a $4.1 billion K-12 funding gap and looming $1-2 billion Medicaid hits, but critics like Advance Colorado vow appeals by December 17, blasting it as a TABOR-busting violation of the single-subject rule that mixes tax hikes with spending schemes, risking voter confusion and economic flight.
An X post from policy analyst Jake Fogleman (@Jake_Fogleman) slams the Colorado Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) finalized plan to eliminate natural gas from home heating by 2050, aiming for 100% decarbonization through aggressive emissions caps on utilities like Xcel Energy. Quoting a Colorado Sun article, Fogleman highlights that 70% of Colorado households depend on natural gas, which is four times cheaper per energy unit than electricity, and cites a 2024 National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study showing heat pumps offer no net financial benefit for most gas users without heavy subsidies. The post includes NREL maps illustrating low positive net present value for heat pump transitions across states, especially for natural gas homes, even with incentives. Replies from users decry the policy as unaffordable, especially for seniors and in cold climates, accusing Gov. Polis and Democrats of prioritizing climate goals over household budgets and reliability.
A viral X post from @FreeStateColor1 blasts Democratic Gov. Jared Polis for signing Senate Bill 24-182 in 2024, which took effect in April 2025 and dramatically eased driver's license access for undocumented immigrants in Colorado. The law eliminates the two-year residency requirement, accepts expired foreign IDs (up to 10 years old), and drops mandates for income tax returns, Social Security numbers, or ITINs—sparking outrage amid skyrocketing auto insurance rates, now among the nation's highest. The post quotes Polis's own announcement of a plan to combat high premiums through better road safety and anti-theft measures, sarcastically linking it to the policy's influx of unlicensed drivers. Replies echo the fury, with users blaming the bill for rising costs, comparing it to California's insurance crisis, and calling for Republican votes to reverse the "nonsense." Proponents argue it boosts road safety by getting more drivers insured and legal, but critics see it as a magnet for illegal immigration that burdens taxpayers and hikes premiums for law-abiding citizens.
The Bell Policy Center, a left-leaning think tank, has resubmitted a proposal (Ballot No. 181) to the Colorado Secretary of State's Title Board for review on December 2, 2025, aiming to overhaul the state's flat 4.41% income tax into a progressive system with a dozen brackets for the 2026 ballot. Under the plan, earners below $500,000 would get minor cuts (a few hundred bucks yearly), while ultra-high earners ($10M+) face massive hikes—potentially hundreds of thousands more annually for individuals and businesses—projecting $2.3 billion in extra revenue to boost teacher pay, offset Medicaid shortfalls, and fund childcare/workforce programs. This follows October rejections of two similar measures for violating the single-subject rule in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), with tweaks to sidestep that hurdle while preserving core uniform-rate language. Proponents tout it as inequality-busting relief for the middle class; critics decry it as a wealth flight accelerator that guts TABOR protections and balloons government bloat.
In a decisive 9-2 vote, the Colorado Springs City Council passed a resolution opposing Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser's lawsuit against President Trump's relocation of U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama, urging collaboration over litigation. Councilman Roland Rainey, who sponsored the measure, emphasized productive advocacy, noting congressional leaders' efforts to attract new military projects to the city and warning that lawsuits could derail them. Supporters like Councilman David Leinweber called for bipartisanship to "move the ball forward," while dissenters Nancy Henjum and Kimberly Gold opposed it, with Gold citing insufficient prior notice. The lawsuit, filed by Democratic AG Weiser, claims the Trump administration bypassed required evaluations, studies, and justifications in the September 2025 decision—prompted by Trump's criticisms of Colorado's mail-in voting system, which audits have deemed secure. Mayor Yemi Mobolade expressed regret over the move but deferred to state leaders on legal action, vowing to focus on supporting local defense missions. The resolution highlights tensions between state Democrats pushing back legally and local leaders prioritizing economic stability in a city where Space Command employs thousands and drives billions in economic activity.
A viral YouTube video highlights the exodus of affluent residents from 10 iconic Colorado mountain towns like Aspen, Vail, and Telluride, blaming skyrocketing taxes imposed by Democratic lawmakers on high earners. As property and income taxes surge to fund expansive government programs, wealthy homeowners—who fuel local economies through tourism, real estate, and business investments—are packing up for lower-tax havens like Wyoming and Montana. The result? Ghost-town vibes in luxury enclaves, shrinking tax bases, and a stark warning about the perils of progressive overreach in the Rockies.
Colorado joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging a federal campaign aimed at denying SNAP benefits to certain noncitizens, arguing the policy risks wrongful benefit terminations, financial penalties for the state, and undermines public trust, highlighting tensions over government spending and program administration.
In this eye-opening interview from Free State Colorado, Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy at the Independence Institute, breaks down the alarming surge in Colorado's electricity and natural gas prices. Despite the state's vast energy wealth—including trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and billions of barrels of oil in formations like the Mancos Shale—residents are facing skyrocketing bills due to heavy-handed government policies. Fogleman points to arbitrary renewable energy mandates, restrictive regulations on oil and gas production, and an anti-fossil fuel agenda pushed by politicians as the culprits. These interventions stifle free-market competition, drive up costs for consumers, and threaten high-paying jobs in the energy sector. The discussion calls for deregulation to unleash Colorado's resources, lower prices, and boost economic freedom, warning that without change, families will continue to suffer under this "disaster in the making."
In a major win for underserved communities, the Trump Administration's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), led by Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, is rolling out the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program—the largest-ever federal investment in rural health care. Colorado applied in early November 2025, with awards expected by year's end, promising to bolster 43 rural hospitals that employ 16,000+ and drive $6.6 billion in economic impact. Amid a mid-October Senate push to gut the program, state leaders rallied to secure this funding, aiming to combat chronic diseases, uninsured rates, and facility closures in remote areas like the Western Slope and eastern plains.