May 8, 2008
Transportation Gridlock
May 8, 2008 10:23 AM
Governor Bill Ritter has finished his second legislative session since getting elected to office. Some Republicans say he's hit a sophomore slump, failing to provide leadership on key issues such as transportation. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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May 7, 2008
Legislative Session is Over
May 7, 2008 1:54 PM
State lawmakers wrapped up their 120-day legislative session yesterday. A day earlier than scheduled. Republicans and Democrats didn't waste any time putting their spin on the last four months, but there was also a universal sense of relief that it was finally over. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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May 6, 2008
Personhood Initiative
May 6, 2008 1:43 PM
Backers of a proposed initiative to amend Colorado's constitution to define an embryo as a person are gathering signatures to secure a spot on the ballot by next week. The so-called "Personhood" amendment is a new strategy being deployed by pro-life activists across the country. And it's facing loud opposition from the pro-choice movement. KUNC's Kirk Siegler reports from Denver.
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May 5, 2008
Constitutional Reform
May 5, 2008 1:32 PM
State lawmakers are pushing ahead with a measure In the final hours of the legislative session that would make it harder for citizens to change to the state constitution. But opponents say it’s too restrictive. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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May 2, 2008
Capitol Conversation
May 2, 2008 1:18 PM
Lawmakers debated hundreds of bills this legislative session, but there's one key issue that didn’t gain much traction. Transportation. Measures to improve roads and infrastructure largely fell flat. Bente Birkeland talks with fellow state house reporters as part of our capitol conversation series.
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Gay Rights Measure Moves Forward
May 2, 2008 1:13 PM
A measure that aims to protect gay, bisexual and transgendered people from business and housing discrimination cleared both chambers of Colorado's state house on Friday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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May 1, 2008
Protective Orders
May 1, 2008 3:34 PM
A measure that aims to make it easier to prosecute people who violate orders of protection has cleared both chambers of the statehouse. Prosecutors say the bill would protect victims. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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New Testing for High School Students
May 1, 2008 8:12 AM
Colorado high school students would no longer need to take the annual school assessment tests known as the CSAP under a new bill that initially cleared the house on Wednesday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 29, 2008
Capitol Conversation
April 29, 2008 2:46 PM
It's nearing the end of the state's 120 day legislative session. There's still a lot of work to do and patience at the capitol is wearing thin. Bente Birkeland talks about the mood there as part of our capitol conversation series.
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April 23, 2008
Health Insurance Rate Regulation
April 23, 2008 8:40 PM
Colorado has some of the highest health insurance premiums in the country. A bill making its way through the legislature would require the state to approve rate increases before they could take effect. About 20 states have similar regulations, but the measure faces opposition from the insurance industry. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 22, 2008
Climate Change Laws
April 22, 2008 8:55 PM
Governor Bill Ritter signed a package of climate change executive orders on Tuesday to mark the celebration of Earth Day. He says it's part of a larger state effort to address climate change. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 21, 2008
Foreclosure Prevention Week
April 21, 2008 9:41 PM
Colorado is beefing up efforts to target communities with high foreclosure rates. The Governor has designated it Foreclosure Prevention Awareness Week. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Capitol Conversation
April 21, 2008 9:38 PM
The final weeks of the legislative session could bring one of the biggest battles we've seen all year. The measure is the brainchild of Democratic Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, who is term limited. It attempts to untangle conflicts in the state constitution. And while some Republicans have spoken up in support of it. It's not clear whether he has enough votes to pass it. Bente Birkeland discusses his proposal as part of our capitol conversation series.
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ACTs Bump CSAP in Governor's Education Plan
April 21, 2008 9:35 PM
The state's school assessment tests known as the CSAP could be fazed out of Colorado high schools starting as early as next school year under a measure that initially passed the senate on Thursday. It's part of a larger school reform bill that the Governor is pushing, but it's not clear IF he supports the latest change. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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New Child Welfare Committee
April 21, 2008 9:06 PM
Governor Bill Ritter signed an executive order on Wednesday that could lead to an overhaul of the state's child welfare system. The Governor says the system has failed to protect neglected and abused children. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 16, 2008
Governor's Campaign Violates Campaign Finance Laws
April 16, 2008 2:40 PM
Governor Bill Ritter released documents on Tuesday that show his campaign violated campaign finance laws last year. The Secretary of State, the Denver District Attorney and Colorado's Attorney General are now reviewing the documents-- but haven't decided whether to press charges. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 15, 2008
Solar in Colorado
April 15, 2008 4:30 PM
Promoting the use of renewable energy has been a cornerstone of Governor Bill Ritter's administration since taking office last year. But the state was already heading in that direction. Colorado became the first in the nation to pass a voter driven statewide renewable energy requirement in 2004--and the legislature has since doubled its requirement. Bente Birkeland examines the state's solar energy industry. How far it's come and the challenges it still faces.
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Sunday Liquor Sales
April 15, 2008 4:26 PM
Starting in July, Coloradans will be able to buy alcohol on Sunday thanks to a bill signed by Governor Bill Ritter on Monday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 11, 2008
Capitol Conversation
April 11, 2008 6:11 PM
Education, healthcare, transportation. You might call these the bread and butter issues at the capitol. You can pretty much guarantee they'll take up a large chunk of debate, they always need money, and there's never enough to go around. Bente Birkeland talks about what's happening with healthcare and transportation as part of our weekly capitol conversation serious.
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April 9, 2008
Water Supply
April 9, 2008 7:20 PM
Housing developers would be required to show cities they have enough water for the homes they build under a bill that initially cleared the house on Wednesday. The measure still faces opposition from several Republicans and homebuilders. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Purple Heart
April 9, 2008 7:10 PM
Purple heart veterans will not get free college tuition in Colorado. A bill that would've done so failed in the house appropriations committee on Wednesday. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 8, 2008
DNC Briefing
April 8, 2008 7:01 PM
Organizers of this summer's Democratic National Convention in Denver say planning and logistics have not been stymied by the still undecided race between senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. But they say a resolution must come soon. From station KUNC, Kirk Siegler explains.
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Affordable Textbooks Signed into Law
April 8, 2008 6:59 PM
Governor Bill Ritter signed a new law on Tuesday aimed at making college textbooks more affordable. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 7, 2008
School Finance Act
April 7, 2008 6:56 PM
Democrats at the state capitol say this year's school finance act should help level the playing field between students of different races and economic backgrounds. The annual school-funding bill would put more money into full day kindergarten and add new slots for pre-school programs for at risk kids. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 4, 2008
Capitol Conversation
April 4, 2008 6:45 PM
The state's 66th legislative session is about three quarters of the way finished, and some of the bigger issues dealing with the energy industry are just now getting started. Bente Birkeland discusses what's on the radar as part of our capitol conversation series.
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Denver TV for Southwest Colorado
April 4, 2008 10:45 AM
Residents of southwestern Colorado have long been fed up that they're blocked from receiving Denver television. And on Thursday state lawmakers in the House passed a resolution to pressure the U.S congress to finally do something about it. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Federal Mineral Lease Bill Introduced
April 4, 2008 10:41 AM
A bi-partisan group of state lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday that would set aside money from federal energy leases for higher education construction projects. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 2, 2008
New Jobs Cabinet
April 2, 2008 3:29 PM
Governor Bill Ritter formally convened the state's first ever jobs cabinet on Tuesday. The 40 member cabinet brings together experts in government; education and the business sector to find ways of better preparing workers for the next generation of jobs. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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April 1, 2008
New Oil and Gas Rules
April 1, 2008 3:27 PM
A proposal that would require Colorado to regulate oil and gas drilling for environmental and health impacts received its first public viewing on Monday. Environmental groups say the draft rules don't go far enough, while the energy industry feels they go too far. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 31, 2008
Capitol Conversation
March 31, 2008 3:24 PM
State representatives have passed Colorado's 17.6 billion dollar budget... now senators will debate the bill. We're likely see many of the same arguments for and against the budget from both parties. Bente Birkeland discusses the budget as part of our ongoing capitol conversation series.
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Interstate 70 Toll
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM
A senate transportation committee has backed a Republican proposal to use tolls on a portion of interstate 70, while rejecting a Democratic measure. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Lawmakers Debate State Budget
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM
Passing a budget is the only thing the state constitution requires lawmakers to do during their 120 day legislative session. It funds everything from roads to preschool programs. Legislators in the house spent hours debating changes to the 616 page bill on Wednesday. Next week the senate will take up the measure. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 26, 2008
Conservation Easements
March 26, 2008 4:49 PM
In western Colorado's Garfield County, ranchers are banding together to conserve thousands of acres of prized agricultural land, as pressures for development rise. But fraud surrounding a state tax credit that's helping protect land like this has lawmakers pushing for reforms--and many who legitimately used the tax credit, worried about the future of the program. From KUNC, Kirk Siegler reports.
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Severance Tax Ballot Measure
March 26, 2008 4:44 PM
Increasing the severance tax rate for Colorado's booming energy industry gained more traction on Tuesday thanks to Governor Bill Ritter. The additional money would pay for higher education, roads, wildlife and environmental impacts. Currently Colorado's tax rate falls well below those of neighboring states. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 25, 2008
Bill Readers
March 25, 2008 2:39 PM
It was common practice in the 18th century for statehouses across the country to have people read bills out loud -- because a lot of lawmakers couldn't read themselves. The practice continued when Colorado became a state in 1876. And while the times may have changed, house and senate bill readers still play a crucial role in the political process. Bente Birkeland has more.
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March 21, 2008
Capitol Conversation
March 21, 2008 3:11 PM
The Governor recently unveiled his proposal to change school standards. It's an effort to smooth the academic transition from high school to college, and make kids better prepared for the workforce. Lawmakers are also looking at a measure to scale back on statewide standardized tests known as the CSAP. Bente Birkeland talks with fellow statehouse reporters about the new initiatives.
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March 20, 2008
Voting Reversal
March 20, 2008 11:31 PM
State leaders have backed off a plan to switch to paper ballots for the presidential election. The reversal comes just weeks after lawmakers and the Governor said paper was the best way to conduct a safe and secure election. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 19, 2008
New Education Standards
March 19, 2008 11:29 PM
Governor Bill Ritter unveiled a long awaited proposal on Wednesday to reform school standards. The measure seeks to better prepare kids for college and the workforce, but it will likely be years before students would see real changes in the classroom. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 18, 2008
No New Film Incentives for Colorado
March 18, 2008 11:25 PM
Hollywood won't be coming to Colorado any time soon. State lawmakers defeated a bill on Tuesday that would have given movie producers tax incentives to film their movies in the Centennial state. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 17, 2008
Capitol Conversation
March 17, 2008 5:37 PM
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's resignation in the wake of a prostitution scandal shed light on more than just his own misdeeds. It also highlights the culture inside New York's state house. Reports indicate that many state lawmakers including fellow Democrats were relieved to see him leave. Spitzer was often accused of using his office's power to butt heads with the legislature unnecessarily. Rocky Mountain Community Radio's Bente Birkeland takes a look inside Colorado's political climate with fellow statehouse reporters.
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March 13, 2008
Medical Malpractice Measure Delayed
March 13, 2008 10:03 AM
State Lawmakers have delayed voting on a bill that would let injured and disfigured patients sue doctors for more money. Nearly 40 people signed up to testify against the bill, which narrowly passed the senate last week. The Democratic proposal faces opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 12, 2008
Easements and Open Space
March 12, 2008 11:28 AM
Nearly a million acres of open space in Colorado has been protected through a popular program that entices landowners to permanently place their land into conservation easements. Landowners are eligible for up to a fifty percent tax break, if they enter into such a contract. But lately there have been abuses to that system, with some landowners grossly over-valuing their land. It's brought a swarm of bad publicity to a program that some see as the last means of protecting land from eager developers. The state House Finance Committee yesterday took up a bill that would bring more oversight to the easement program, but not abolish it outright. KUNC's Kirk Siegler reports from Denver.
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March 7, 2008
Capitol Conversation
March 7, 2008 9:49 PM
A bi-partisan group of lawmakers wants to make it more difficult for citizens to change the state constitution. They say the constitution is a sacred document but worry it's becoming cluttered with minor provisions. The constitutional reform committee wants to put the question to voters on this year's ballot. But first, the referendum has to pass the legislature. Bente Birkeland talks to statehouse reporters about what's at stake.
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Democratic Convention Q and A
March 7, 2008 9:42 PM
The race for the Democratic presidential nomination shows no signs of letting up. With such a close delegate count between Senators Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton -- many are trying to figure out how to select a candidate and avoid having a brokered convention in the fall. Bente Birkeland has more from Denver.
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March 6, 2008
Severance Taxes for Local Communities
March 6, 2008 9:35 PM
Some local communities say they're not getting their fair share of the money generated from the oil and gas industry. A bill unanimously cleared a senate committee on Thursday that would more fairly distribute that money to energy impacted areas. The measure already passed the House and now heads to the full Senate for debate. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 5, 2008
Oil and Gas Rules
March 5, 2008 8:16 PM
During a hearing on Wednesday lawmakers from both parties expressed their concerns over new rules that aim to make sure Colorado's booming energy industry doesn't hurt wildlife. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 4, 2008
Severance Tax Debate
March 4, 2008 10:15 PM
Momentum is building both in and outside the Colorado Legislature to raise the state's severance tax rates on oil and gas developers. The effort has the backing of environmentalists and local leaders who have long sought tougher regulations on one of Colorado's most profitable industries. As Kirk Siegler of station KUNC reports, it appears a severance tax question may be the only tax measure to make its way before voters this fall.
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Sunday Liquor Sales Moving Forward
March 4, 2008 9:22 PM
Liquor sales on Sunday may soon be the new reality in Colorado. After years of fighting to block the measure liquor store owners are reluctantly supporting it because they say it's what their customers want. But convenience stores say it's not fair because only liquor stores can sell full strength beer. The bill has already cleared the senate and will be heard Wednesday in the house finance committee. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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March 3, 2008
Paper Ballot Hearing
March 3, 2008 9:11 PM
Election officials from across Colorado came to the capitol on Monday to oppose a bill that would limit the use of electronic voting machines this fall. The clerks say counties rely on those machines and it would cost millions of dollars to switch back to a paper ballot system. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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