Podcasts about colorado gov

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss President Trump not speaking at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting for the first time since 2015 and then we talk about recent sweeping legislation signed by Colorado Gov. Polis that includes purchase permits for firearms sales. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com 

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Colorado Governor Jared Polis say who says 'we’re only hurting ourselves if the U.S. continues down this path' as Trump's trade war with Canada continues. On todays show: John Hardie, Deputy Director Of The Russia Program At The Foundation For Defense Of Democracies, a non-profit think tank based in Washington, D.C joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss ultimately what Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals may be in reaching a ceasefire deal with Ukraine. Vassy Kapelos hosts ‘The Daily Debrief’ political panel discussion with Shakir Chambers, principal at Earnscliffe Strategies, Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, and Muhammad Ali, Vice President, Crestview Strategy. Former Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss if Canada look elsewhere for defence procurement projects.

Trump keeps filling out his administration with the unqualified and the inexperienced, including the recent addition of the borderline literate hack Dan Bongino at the FBI. Meanwhile, Trump's Friday night DOD purge was another step in embedding autocracy in our government. Plus, Elon's and Vance's efforts to influence the German elections seem to have backfired. And before the Proud Boy drama and the bomb threat at the annual Principles First conference, Tim spoke with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis about the right way to cut government waste and build more houses—and how the Dems should polish their prosperity messaging. Gov. Jared Polis and Bill Kristol join Tim Miller. show notes Bill's "Bulwark on Sunday" interview with Bob Kagan Principles First's "Declaration of Principles"

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has an independent streak and a big job leading the National Governors Association. Here's what he's telling fellow governors about when to work with Trump and when to oppose him, how he thinks that Trump is hurting himself, and what the first thing Elon Musk and DOGE should cut is.  Eugene Daniels is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO. Jared Polis is the Governor of Colorado. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio.  Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) joins Chuck to talk about the challenges posed by wildfires in western states, and his takeaways from the 2024 election. 

President Biden announced on Sunday that he is pardoning his son Hunter Biden. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush, weighs in. Then, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is leading an effort by governors to "safeguard democracy" when President-elect Donald Trump takes office again. Polis joins us. And, the holiday shopping season is also the most wonderful time of the year for scammers. Expert Jorij Abraham talks about how to spot and stop scams during the busiest shopping season of all.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump isn't the only one preparing for his return to the White House. Several Democratic governors are uniting, they say, to protect democracy at the state level during Trump's second term in office. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced the launch of Governors Safeguarding Democracy. Pritzker joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Donald Trump isn't the only one preparing for his return to the White House. Several Democratic governors are uniting, they say, to protect democracy at the state level during Trump's second term in office. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced the launch of Governors Safeguarding Democracy. Pritzker joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis dismissed anger over Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua taking over apartment buildings in the Denver suburb of Aurora, calling it “imagination” — despite video footage, police reports and the city's mayor confirming it's happening. Polis' press office offered the snarky statement Wednesday night in response to Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky — who told The Post the gang's takeovers are tied to his policies. “The Governor has already let the Mayor know that the State is ready to support the local police department with assistance from state troopers and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation if needed,” Shelby Wieman, a spokesperson for the Democratic governor, told The Post.

Brazil bans X (formerly Twitter) and it sounds like Kamala Harris would like to do that here. And, President Trump is way off. God help him. He wants to force you to pay for IVF surrogacy for everybody. And in Colorado, Democrats are going back and forth denying that there are Venezuelan gangs taking over apartment buildings.They admit it and then going back to denying it. Episode Links:Kamala Harris Suggests She Wants To Ban TwitterThis is the most tyrannical and evil thing that Kamala Harris has EVER been caught on camera saying. It would be a shame if every American saw it!CNN is ALREADY in total damage control mode for Kamala Harris after her DISASTROUS THE LIE: Walz claims Trump is trying to take away “fertility ‘rights.'”THE TRUTH: Trump literally just said he wants to make IVF “free.” - LOL, “free.” Industrial Level Surrogacy Is A Horror For BabiesMeet 5 Accused Pedophiles Who Bought Kids Through SurrogacyDenver Mayor Johnson on gang crime: "A much bigger risk is a perception that the newcomers are dangerous"Moms in Colorado are terrified to go the park alone because migrant gangs have taken over parts of the statePlease pray for Colorado. This is their Governor.Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says the viral videos of armed Venezuelan gangs taking over apartment buildings is just a figment of the "imagination" of local leaders. Fmr apartment resident Cindy Romero absolutely DESTROYS Polis: "Polis wouldn't last five minutes on that property."Alan's Soaps alansartisansoaps.comUse coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bioptimizershttps://magbreakthrough.com/toddfreeStart your journey to better health with MassZymes.  Visit bioptimizers.com/todd today to get your MassZymes 10% off. Bonefroghttps://bonefrogcoffee.com/toddMake Bonefrog Cold Brew at home!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark CapitalBulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com)Learn about Bulwark's strategies with their FREE Common Cents Investing Guide.  Get yours by calling 866-779-RISK or go to KnowYourRiskRadio.com.EdenPUREhttps://edenpuredeals.comUse code TODD3 to save $200 on the Thunderstorm Air Purifier 3-packGreenHaven Interactive Web Marketinghttps://greenhaveninteractive.comGet more leads & customers! Show up on Google. Dave is here to help.  Renue Healthcarehttps://renue.healthcare/toddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare.  Visit https://renue.healthcare/todd

This week's hemp podcast is a recap of the 10th annual NoCo Hemp Expo in Estes Park, Colorado, April 11-13, where industry stakeholders gathered to collaborate, commiserate and celebrate the state of hemp in 2024. The episode features voices from many attendees, including Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. “We're really all hands on deck to make sure Colorado continues to be an ag powerhouse, and hemp is a big part of that,” Polis said. State Ag Commissioner Kate Greenberg agreed with the governor and said the “conversation is really just diversified in what hemp is capable of.” Hemp researcher Przemyslaw Baraniecki came all the way from the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poland, where hemp was never prohibited yet still carries a stigma. “In Europe, when you when you say to someone on the street ‘hemp,' they will smile and treat it as something, let's say, spicy,” Baraniecki said. Karll Lecher from Dakota Hemp Co. in South Dakota echoed those sentiments and the industry is being held back by conflicting messaging. “We just need one unifying voice to enlighten the public about hemp and maybe get rid of some of those stigmas,” he said. The Hemp Twins — Abigail and Noemy Cuevas — from Los Angeles have been hosting workshops and events back home for years to educate the public and spread the message of hemp. For Noemy, hempcrete construction is one of the bright spots in the hemp industry. “Living in Los Angeles, California, we have a lot of wildfires, so if we would have hemp building, then we will be able to save people's homes, people's lives,” she said. Andrew Bish from Hemp Harvest Works, an equipment manufacturer from Nebraska, was showcasing a recent research-scale decorticator. “We produced this for universities around the country, as well as processors that want to work to ultimately grade their herd and fiber products,” he said. You will hear many voices from all over the world on this week's show, plus you'll hear about the time spent with Danny DesJarlais and the crew from the Lower Sioux from Minnesota. Thank you to the following voices featured in this week's episode: Aaron Appleby Andrew Bish, Hemp Harvest works Caroline Matthews, Tatham Colorado Department of Ag Colorado Office of the Governor Abigail and Noemy Cuevas, The Hemp Twins, Hemp Traders Bethany Niebauer, Industrial Hemp Research Foundation Raven Faber, EngErotics Nianyi Gan, Kanda Hemp Patrick Atagi, NIHC Przemyslaw Baraniecki, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants Thanks to our sponsors! IND HEMP https://indhemp.com/ Americhanvre https://americhanvre.com/ Forever Green https://www.hempcutter.com/ SunRay Hemp Music Courtesy of Tin Bird Shadow.

In the words of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, "Feliz Navidad!" Grace shares the cringey audio of the latest Democrat pandering to America's newcomers from south of the border.

About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is a senior producer for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here. On the version of Hot off the Wire posted June 2 at 4 p.m. CT: The nation's employers stepped up their hiring in May, adding a robust 339,000 jobs, well above expectations and evidence of enduring strength in an economy that the Federal Reserve is desperately trying to cool. A building under construction near the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven has partially collapsed, injuring several people who were pulled from the rubble. An Iowa task force has completed its search for survivors at the site of a partially collapsed Davenport apartment building without finding three missing people who are feared dead, authorities said Friday. Police officers are separating protesters and counterprotesters outside a Los Angeles elementary school that has become a flashpoint for LGBTQ+ issues involving children in California during Pride month. Customers of Chase's online banking services were seeing double transactions, fees and/or payments in their accounts, with the situation not immediately being resolved as of early afternoon on Friday. A lawsuit has been filed challenging an Arkansas law that would subject librarians and booksellers to criminal charges if they provide harmful materials to minors. Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has signed a bill banning build-at-home firearms without serial numbers. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Washington won't support peace talks in the war in Ukraine until Kyiv holds the upper hand, possibly after a Ukrainian counteroffensive that appears to be taking shape. A long stretch of New Jersey's Garden State Parkway has reopened as firefighters work to contain a 5,000-acre forest fire. Customers of Venmo, PayPal and CashApp should not store their money with those apps for the long term because the funds may not be covered by deposit insurance. In this week's AP religion roundup, an island nation in the Caribbean allows the religious use of marijuana. Dozens of transgender people in Florida who can't afford to move are turning to crowdfunding to help them leave after the passage of new legislation that targets the LGBTQ community. —The Associated PressSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Progressives back Mike Johnston in Denver mayor's race | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs slate of clean energy bills | $11B in federal funds allocated for rural clean energy projects | Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis commission meets in Flagstaff, AZ (WARNING: contains graphic descriptions of violence) | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs nation's first Right-to-Repair law | Violent Femmes perform their self-titled debut in Denver, Austin and Houston this week.  Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: COLORADO NEWSLINE: Progressives back Mike Johnston in Denver mayor's raceBY: CHASE WOODRUFF - MAY 15, 2023 4:00 AMAs ballots begin to hit mailboxes for Denver's June 6th runoff election, Johnston and Kelly Brough, the other top-two finisher in April's first round of voting - have rolled out a veritable smorgasbord of endorsement announcements.Former mayoral candidates Ean Thomas Tafoya, Terrance Roberts, Jim Walsh, Al Gardner and Leslie Herod all endorsed Mike Johnston. Rep Herod (who was my preferred choice for mayor) said “Having shared countless debate and forum stages with Mike over the past months, I know that he has the passion, commitment, and vision to tackle Denver's toughest problems. Mike and I share the value of public service, hard work, and doing right by our communities, and I am excited to work with him to deliver on our progressive vision for Denver.”Meanwhile, Brough, the former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce head who secured her spot in the runoff with just over 20% of the first-round vote, has picked up endorsements from Democratic state Sen. Chris Hansen as well as Thomas Wolf, an investment banker who campaigned on harsh anti-homelessness policies and received 1% of the vote for Mayor in April.Sen. Hansen said “Denver needs a proven executive — Kelly Brough is the leader we can trust to deliver results. It's going to take all of us to tackle Denver's biggest challenges, and I'm proud to join Kelly's team.”Brough also picked up endorsements from Democratic state Rep. Alex Valdez and former Tattered Cover CEO Kwame Spearman, both of whom entered the mayor's race but later withdrew. Brough and Johnston emerged from the crowded field of mayoral candidates after becoming by far the race's two best-funded candidates, each raising about $1MM in direct contributions and benefiting from millions more in outside super PAC expenditures from billionaires and real-estate interests.After a first round that featured a wide range of perspectives and ideologies, the runoff campaign has featured few stark disagreements on policy between the two candidates, both of whom are veteran figures in Colorado's centrist political establishment.Brough served as then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's chief of staff from 2006 to 2009, then led the conservative-leaning Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for 12 years before stepping down ahead of her mayoral run. Some of her top endorsers include former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, both Democrats.On Friday, she touted the endorsement of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, a coalition of clergy and civil rights leaders in the city's Black community. Pastor Paul Burleson, the Alliance's vice president of political affairs, said that Brough's experience is key to her appeal.Brough has also picked up endorsements from the Denver Police Protective Association and other unions representing law enforcement officers and firefighters. She was one of the only candidates in the mayor's race to endorse a return of “qualified immunity,” a legal doctrine that bars people from suing law enforcement officers in their individual capacity. Colorado lawmakers, led by Herod, passed a landmark police reform bill that abolished qualified immunity in the wake of George Floyd's murder in 2020. - Just one reason I love Leslie Herod.During his time in the state Senate, Mike Johnston became one of the state's leading champions of education reform, a movement that has galled teachers' unions and progressives who've accused him of undermining public education. From 2020 to 2022 he was the CEO of Gary Community Ventures, a Denver-based philanthropic organization founded by oil tycoon Sam Gary.Though hardly a progressive firebrand himself, Johnston spoke at Wednesday's event of the coalition he hopes to build as mayor. Along with former mayoral rivals, he received endorsements from Democratic state Sens. Julie Gonzales (another legislator I have tremendous respect for) and James Coleman (who is my state senator but someone whom I don't know much about), adding to a list of supporters that also includes former Mayor Federico Peña and former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll.Rep. Leslie Herod said “Make no mistake: We are the progressives in this race, and we have chosen to back Mike. We are the candidates who have consistently spoken about putting people over structures, putting people over businesses — people always first.”So for my part I'll be following State Sen. Julie Gonzales and Rep. Leslie Herod, voting for Mike Johnston.Final thought: Johnston might not be seen as progressive, but if he wins this election assembling a progressive coalition to bear a developer/business-backed candidate in Kelly Brough, then progressives should absolutely have a strong voice in the Johnston administration if he wants to keep his job. But first he's got to win.COLORADO NEWSLINE: Gov. Jared Polis signs slate of clean energy measures, utility regulation billBY: CHASE WOODRUFF - MAY 11, 2023 5:36 PMGov. Jared Polis has signed into law a bill that commits Colorado for the first time to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target, along with other measures to address spiking utility rates and the state's long-term energy future.Flanked by Democratic lawmakers and state energy officials, Polis signed Senate Bill 23-16 at an event at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The bill, a wide-ranging package of reforms aimed at boosting clean energy efforts in a variety of industries, was approved on party-line votes by Democratic majorities in the General Assembly just before its adjournment on May 8.SB-16 sets a statutory goal of a 100% reduction in Colorado's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, revising that target upwards from a 90% goal set by the Legislature in 2019. It's the first time the state has formally established the net-zero goal that scientists with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have said is necessary to avert the most catastrophic impacts of global warming.To get there, the bill contains what sponsors called a “potpourri” of measures to accelerate the transition to clean energy, including sections that streamline the process for the installation of electric transmission lines and rooftop solar panels; stricter requirements on large insurance companies to assess climate risk; tax credits for the purchase of electric-powered lawn equipment; and more authority for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to regulate carbon capture projects.COGCC chair Jeff Robbins applauded the bill's efforts to encourage carbon capture, which he called “critical as a tool in addressing climate change.”“The COGCC is well poised with its resources and regulatory understanding to now help carbon storage be deployed safely and responsibly in Colorado,” Robbins said in a press release.Gov. Polis also signed House Bill 23-1252, which establishes a new state grant program for geothermal energy projects and requires large natural-gas utilities to develop emissions-reducing “clean heat plans.”Senate Bill 23-291, a package of reforms to state utility regulations, and House Bill 23-1234, a bipartisan measure aimed at streamlining permitting and inspection processes for solar projects were also both signed into law. SB-291 emerged from hearings held earlier this year by the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates, a special panel of lawmakers convened by Democratic leaders following sharp increases in many Coloradans' utility bills in 2022.It directs the state's Public Utilities Commission to more closely scrutinize how privately-owned utilities manage volatility in natural-gas prices, the main culprit in rate increases that caused the average monthly payment for customers of Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility, to rise by more than 50% last year. Other provisions in the bill are aimed at assessing the long-term future of natural gas infrastructure as more homes and businesses transition to all-electric heating and cooking appliances.In a press release, Advanced Energy United, an industry group representing clean energy companies, said the legislation creates a “national model” for dealing with volatility in the natural gas market.“This bill will help make Colorado's energy system more affordable long-term, and should be seen as a model for states across the country on how to manage high gas prices and a transition to cost-saving alternatives to gas, like high-efficiency heat pumps, rooftop solar and battery storage,” said Emilie Olson, a senior principal at Advanced Energy United.House Bill 23-1272, creates or extends a variety of clean energy tax credits, including incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, e-bikes, electric heat pumps, industrial decarbonization technologies and more.Gov. Polis said “These exciting money-saving changes for Coloradans mean reliable, lower energy costs and good-paying jobs, as we continue to fuel the innovation that makes Colorado a national leader in clean energy. We are cutting red tape, creating good paying jobs and improving air quality as we continue to make bold progress towards achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040.”ARIZONA MIRROR: Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loansBY: JACOB FISCHLER - MAY 16, 2023 7:11 AMThe U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin to administer two loan and grant programs worth nearly $11 billion to boost clean energy systems in rural areas, administration officials said Tuesday. The programs are the New ERA program for rural electric cooperatives, and the PACE program for other energy providers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the funding “continues an ongoing effort to ensure that rural America is a full participant in this clean energy economy.”White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi said, “Rural areas can have more difficulty than more urban ones in attracting private sector investment. The programs are intended to allow those rural areas to take advantage of an industry-wide trend to invest in clean energy production.He said, “There's a favorable wind blowing here. This allows rural communities to put up a sail.”The programs are meant to put rural electric cooperatives on equal footing with larger privately owned companies that have already put major funding into clean energy deployment.The programs represent the largest single funding effort for rural electrification since President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act in 1936.The money is meant not only to address the climate impacts of fossil fuel energy and reduce home energy costs, but to act as an economic engine for rural areas.Rural electric cooperatives are eligible for the New ERA program, and up to 25% of the funding in that program can be in the form of direct grants. Utilities can use the money to build renewable energy systems, zero-emission systems and carbon capture facilities.The USDA will begin to accept initial applications for funding on July 31. Applicants are expected to write more detailed proposals for funding after the USDA accepts their initial applications.The PACE program provides loans to renewable energy developers and electric service providers “to help finance large-scale solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower projects and energy storage in support of renewable energy systems,” the release said. The program is targeted to “vulnerable, disadvantaged, Tribal and energy communities,” the release said. It's in line with a Biden administration goal to allocate at least 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal spending to disadvantaged communities.The USDA can forgive up to 40% of most of the loans in the program. Up to 60% of loans to applicants in some U.S. territories and tribal communities can be forgiven.Initial applications for that program will open June 30.ARIZONA MIRROR:National commission on the MMIP crisis meets in Arizona to hear testimony, recommendationsBY: SHONDIIN SILVERSMITH - MAY 15, 2023 1:50 PMFive empty chairs sat at the front of the Not Invisible Act Commission hearing, each wrapped in a shawl, blanket or quilt representing a different group of individuals impacted by human trafficking or with a loved one who is missing or murdered.“We want to allow space for representing our relatives,” commission member Grace Bulltail said, noting the traditions in many Indigenous families to always preserve a space for absent loved ones. “We're doing that to honor our loved ones,” Bulltail said, explaining that, by putting the chairs there, the commission hearing was holding space for them.The chair wrapped in a red shawl with white and yellow handprints honored the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The chair wrapped in a red, orange, bridge, and white Native design shawl with a black blazer draped over it was to honor the missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys. Another chair was wrapped in a light blue, white and purple quilt. Pinned to the quilt was a picture of 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike, a Navajo girl who was abducted and killed on the Navajo Nation in 2016. This chair honored Indigenous children.The chair wrapped in a maroon shawl with floral designs honored the LGBTQI and two-spirit Indigenous community. The chair wrapped in a brown Pendleton honored Indigenous veterans.The Not Invisible Act Commission, organized by the U.S. Department of the Interior,  held a public hearing at the Twin Arrows Casino near Flagstaff to hear testimony and recommendations from victims and families impacted by human trafficking and the missing and murdered Indigenous peoples crisis. The commission also heard from local tribal leaders and advocates. The Not Invisible Act was passed into law in October 2020, establishing the commission as a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee of federal and non-federal members, including law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors.The meeting at Twin Arrows was the commission's third public hearing. This summer, it has four more planned in Minnesota, northern California, New Mexico and Montana. The hearings are being held in communities impacted most by the MMIP crisis.Commissioners heard emotional testimony from Seraphine Warren and Pamela Foster as they shared their experiences of losing a loved one and advocated for change.Ms. Warren is the niece of Ella Mae Begay, a Navajo woman who went missing from her home in Sweetwater, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation on June 15, 2021. Warren continued to advocate for not only her aunt but all Indigenous people.Speaking through tears, she told her aunt's story. “I know it wasn't her legacy to be stolen or to be murdered,” Warren said. “Just because she isn't here doesn't mean she can't be part of change.”Begay is still missing, but there have been developments in her case. In March, Preston Henry Tolth, 23, of New Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Phoenix for assault and carjacking.The indictment alleges that, on June 15, 2021, Tolth assaulted Begay, resulting in serious bodily injury, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Tolth then took her Ford F-150 pickup truck and drove it from Arizona to New Mexico with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to Begay.Warren said during Tolth's arraignment hearing on April 7 in Flagstaff that she heard details about the night her aunt went missing that she was not ready for.Warren, in tears, told the commission that Tolth told federal agents that he “snapped” and struck her in the face multiple times, causing her to bleed from the nose and mouth. Tolth told authorities that he wasn't sure if she was dead, Warren said, and when he drove away, he said he regretted hitting her, since all he wanted was the truck.Tolth is being held in custody and is expected to go to trial later in May.Pamela Foster is the mother of Ashlynne Mike, the 11-year-old Navajo girl abducted and killed on the Navajo Nation in 2016. Foster has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts for Indigenous children and people since she lost her daughter. On the afternoon of May 2, 2016, Ashlynne Mike and her 9-year-old brother, Ian Mike, didn't make it home from school. When they got off the school bus in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation, a predator tricked them into getting into his van by promising them a ride home.Hours later, passersby found Ian Mike wandering alone in the area. Police located Ashlynne Mike's body on May 3, 2016, and discovered she had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and bludgeoned repeatedly with a tire iron.She said, “I miss my daughter every single day. I became a voice for my daughter the moment I received word that her life was taken from her.”She talked about how the system failed when her children were missing in 2016. She said that May 1 to May 6 is a nightmare for her every year, because she relives what happened to her children.Foster talked about the hours from when her children disappeared to when they found her daughter's body; she ran into countless obstacles that left her without support.“It was very hard to sit there and know that there were no resources available for my children,” Foster said. “I absolutely had nothing.”She said local law enforcement was not adequately trained to handle child abductions. There was no clear communication between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Instead of searching for her children, Foster said they were trying to figure out exactly what protocols were needed to start looking.“Time was lost,” Foster said, and they did not send out an AMBER Alert until the following day. Foster recalled the alert went out at 2 a.m., and she said that helped no one because not many people were awake then. She remembers hearing officers from the neighboring jurisdictions tell her they couldn't go out to look for her daughter until they were given the clearance to do so by the Navajo Nation Police Department. Foster said it frustrated her how long it took for that to happen. She said the anger and hurt about what happened to Ashlynne led her to be a voice for her daughter.“I promised her I would do something for all of our other Indigenous children. To give them the protection that they need so they don't go through the same thing.”Foster has led many grassroots efforts to support Indigenous children, including advocating and petitioning for the AMBER Alert system to include Indian Country.Foster said she wanted to change, and she knew the justice system in Indian Country needed to be updated, so she focused her efforts on the AMBER Alert system. Her advocacy resulted in the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018, which makes tribes eligible for AMBER Alert grants to integrate into state and regional AMBER Alert communication plans.“I always say that I've never received justice for what happened to my daughter because nothing can bring her back,” Foster said. “There will never be justice, but we can learn how to move forward in changing laws to make things better for our people.”The goal of the hearing was for the federal commissioners to listen and hear recommendations on the best course of action for the MMIP crisis. Commissioners will use the suggestions to develop their final report for the Department of Interior.Foster's big recommendation was not only geared at the commissioners, but other attendees of the hearing. She encouraged them to tell their tribal leaders to receive the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act training. “It is free,” she said, adding that it is a vital program for Indigenous communities because it will train police officers and social workers from the tribe. Because tribes are sovereign nations, the Department of Justice has to receive a request in order to run the training on tribal land: “Have your tribal leaders request this training for your community because the children are our next generation,” Foster said. “There's still a lot of tribes that need to be trained.”When Seraphine Warren was finished sharing her aunt's story, she laid out her recommendations. “Transparency and swift action is key,” she said, “which means that when a person is missing, law enforcement should immediately inform all jurisdictions and issue press releases to media channels to inform the public.”“Family members need to be regularly and constantly updated with the progress of the investigation, and families should be prioritized if any remains are found in any jurisdiction.” Some of the other recommendations included allowing families to hire private investigators, providing them access to case files, supporting families in organizing their task force, providing families with constant and reliable access to grief counseling services, medical attention, financial and legal assistance, and safe housing for families of missing or murdered loved ones. ASSOCIATED PRESS: If you're not first, you're last. DENVER (AP) — Sitting in front of a hulking red tractor, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own tractors and combines with a “right to repair” law — which compels manufacturers to provide the necessary manuals, tools, parts and software farmers would need.Colorado, home to high desert ranches and sweeping farms on the plains, took the lead on the issue following a nationwide outcry from farmers that manufacturers blocked them from making fixes and forced them to wait precious days or even weeks for an official servicer to arrive — delays that hurt profits.While farmers wait and their increasingly high-tech tractors or combines sit idle, a hailstorm could decimate an entire crop. Or, a farmer could miss the ideal planting window for their crops to grow.Lawmakers in at least 10 other states have introduced similar legislation, including in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont. But Colorado has taken the lead. At the signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon, under a light drizzle of rain, Gov. Polis said: “This bill will save farmers and ranchers time and money and support the free market in repair” before exclaiming, “first in the nation!”Behind the governor and arrayed farmers and lawmakers sat a red Steiger 370 tractor owned by a farmer named Danny Wood. Wood's tractor has flown an American flag reading “Farmers First,” and it has been one of two of his machines to break down, requiring long waits before servicers arrived to enter a few lines of computer code, or make a fix that Wood could have made himself.As the signing ceremony ended, Gov. Polis and Rep. Brianna Titone, who ran the bill in the state House, climbed inside the tractor for a photo as the ceremony ended.Great job, Rep. Titone! Huge win for this up-and-coming legislator. When I first saw her speak announcing her initial candidacy in 2017, I didn't know what to expect. Honestly, I didn't expect a lot, and I didn't particularly expect her to even win. And then, winning that seat was just the first of many instances where I've seen her demonstrate a level of depth, grit, and smarts that rival any of her peers. Great job Rep. Titone, you rock. CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK: Violent Femmes - performing their self-titled album - Levitt Pavilion in Denver on Sunday May 21. The cult favorite folk punk band from Milwaukee is celebrating 40 years since the release of their first album in 1983. More info at vfemmes.comWelp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Newsline, Arizona Mirror, Denver Post, Associated Press and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Progressives back Mike Johnston in Denver mayor's race | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs slate of clean energy bills | $11B in federal funds allocated for rural clean energy projects | Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis commission meets in Flagstaff, AZ (WARNING: contains graphic descriptions of violence) | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs nation's first Right-to-Repair law | Violent Femmes perform their self-titled debut in Denver, Austin and Houston this week.  Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: COLORADO NEWSLINE: Progressives back Mike Johnston in Denver mayor's raceBY: CHASE WOODRUFF - MAY 15, 2023 4:00 AMAs ballots begin to hit mailboxes for Denver's June 6th runoff election, Johnston and Kelly Brough, the other top-two finisher in April's first round of voting - have rolled out a veritable smorgasbord of endorsement announcements.Former mayoral candidates Ean Thomas Tafoya, Terrance Roberts, Jim Walsh, Al Gardner and Leslie Herod all endorsed Mike Johnston. Rep Herod (who was my preferred choice for mayor) said “Having shared countless debate and forum stages with Mike over the past months, I know that he has the passion, commitment, and vision to tackle Denver's toughest problems. Mike and I share the value of public service, hard work, and doing right by our communities, and I am excited to work with him to deliver on our progressive vision for Denver.”Meanwhile, Brough, the former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce head who secured her spot in the runoff with just over 20% of the first-round vote, has picked up endorsements from Democratic state Sen. Chris Hansen as well as Thomas Wolf, an investment banker who campaigned on harsh anti-homelessness policies and received 1% of the vote for Mayor in April.Sen. Hansen said “Denver needs a proven executive — Kelly Brough is the leader we can trust to deliver results. It's going to take all of us to tackle Denver's biggest challenges, and I'm proud to join Kelly's team.”Brough also picked up endorsements from Democratic state Rep. Alex Valdez and former Tattered Cover CEO Kwame Spearman, both of whom entered the mayor's race but later withdrew. Brough and Johnston emerged from the crowded field of mayoral candidates after becoming by far the race's two best-funded candidates, each raising about $1MM in direct contributions and benefiting from millions more in outside super PAC expenditures from billionaires and real-estate interests.After a first round that featured a wide range of perspectives and ideologies, the runoff campaign has featured few stark disagreements on policy between the two candidates, both of whom are veteran figures in Colorado's centrist political establishment.Brough served as then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's chief of staff from 2006 to 2009, then led the conservative-leaning Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for 12 years before stepping down ahead of her mayoral run. Some of her top endorsers include former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, both Democrats.On Friday, she touted the endorsement of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, a coalition of clergy and civil rights leaders in the city's Black community. Pastor Paul Burleson, the Alliance's vice president of political affairs, said that Brough's experience is key to her appeal.Brough has also picked up endorsements from the Denver Police Protective Association and other unions representing law enforcement officers and firefighters. She was one of the only candidates in the mayor's race to endorse a return of “qualified immunity,” a legal doctrine that bars people from suing law enforcement officers in their individual capacity. Colorado lawmakers, led by Herod, passed a landmark police reform bill that abolished qualified immunity in the wake of George Floyd's murder in 2020. - Just one reason I love Leslie Herod.During his time in the state Senate, Mike Johnston became one of the state's leading champions of education reform, a movement that has galled teachers' unions and progressives who've accused him of undermining public education. From 2020 to 2022 he was the CEO of Gary Community Ventures, a Denver-based philanthropic organization founded by oil tycoon Sam Gary.Though hardly a progressive firebrand himself, Johnston spoke at Wednesday's event of the coalition he hopes to build as mayor. Along with former mayoral rivals, he received endorsements from Democratic state Sens. Julie Gonzales (another legislator I have tremendous respect for) and James Coleman (who is my state senator but someone whom I don't know much about), adding to a list of supporters that also includes former Mayor Federico Peña and former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll.Rep. Leslie Herod said “Make no mistake: We are the progressives in this race, and we have chosen to back Mike. We are the candidates who have consistently spoken about putting people over structures, putting people over businesses — people always first.”So for my part I'll be following State Sen. Julie Gonzales and Rep. Leslie Herod, voting for Mike Johnston.Final thought: Johnston might not be seen as progressive, but if he wins this election assembling a progressive coalition to bear a developer/business-backed candidate in Kelly Brough, then progressives should absolutely have a strong voice in the Johnston administration if he wants to keep his job. But first he's got to win.COLORADO NEWSLINE: Gov. Jared Polis signs slate of clean energy measures, utility regulation billBY: CHASE WOODRUFF - MAY 11, 2023 5:36 PMGov. Jared Polis has signed into law a bill that commits Colorado for the first time to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target, along with other measures to address spiking utility rates and the state's long-term energy future.Flanked by Democratic lawmakers and state energy officials, Polis signed Senate Bill 23-16 at an event at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The bill, a wide-ranging package of reforms aimed at boosting clean energy efforts in a variety of industries, was approved on party-line votes by Democratic majorities in the General Assembly just before its adjournment on May 8.SB-16 sets a statutory goal of a 100% reduction in Colorado's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, revising that target upwards from a 90% goal set by the Legislature in 2019. It's the first time the state has formally established the net-zero goal that scientists with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have said is necessary to avert the most catastrophic impacts of global warming.To get there, the bill contains what sponsors called a “potpourri” of measures to accelerate the transition to clean energy, including sections that streamline the process for the installation of electric transmission lines and rooftop solar panels; stricter requirements on large insurance companies to assess climate risk; tax credits for the purchase of electric-powered lawn equipment; and more authority for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to regulate carbon capture projects.COGCC chair Jeff Robbins applauded the bill's efforts to encourage carbon capture, which he called “critical as a tool in addressing climate change.”“The COGCC is well poised with its resources and regulatory understanding to now help carbon storage be deployed safely and responsibly in Colorado,” Robbins said in a press release.Gov. Polis also signed House Bill 23-1252, which establishes a new state grant program for geothermal energy projects and requires large natural-gas utilities to develop emissions-reducing “clean heat plans.”Senate Bill 23-291, a package of reforms to state utility regulations, and House Bill 23-1234, a bipartisan measure aimed at streamlining permitting and inspection processes for solar projects were also both signed into law. SB-291 emerged from hearings held earlier this year by the Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates, a special panel of lawmakers convened by Democratic leaders following sharp increases in many Coloradans' utility bills in 2022.It directs the state's Public Utilities Commission to more closely scrutinize how privately-owned utilities manage volatility in natural-gas prices, the main culprit in rate increases that caused the average monthly payment for customers of Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility, to rise by more than 50% last year. Other provisions in the bill are aimed at assessing the long-term future of natural gas infrastructure as more homes and businesses transition to all-electric heating and cooking appliances.In a press release, Advanced Energy United, an industry group representing clean energy companies, said the legislation creates a “national model” for dealing with volatility in the natural gas market.“This bill will help make Colorado's energy system more affordable long-term, and should be seen as a model for states across the country on how to manage high gas prices and a transition to cost-saving alternatives to gas, like high-efficiency heat pumps, rooftop solar and battery storage,” said Emilie Olson, a senior principal at Advanced Energy United.House Bill 23-1272, creates or extends a variety of clean energy tax credits, including incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, e-bikes, electric heat pumps, industrial decarbonization technologies and more.Gov. Polis said “These exciting money-saving changes for Coloradans mean reliable, lower energy costs and good-paying jobs, as we continue to fuel the innovation that makes Colorado a national leader in clean energy. We are cutting red tape, creating good paying jobs and improving air quality as we continue to make bold progress towards achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040.”ARIZONA MIRROR: Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loansBY: JACOB FISCHLER - MAY 16, 2023 7:11 AMThe U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin to administer two loan and grant programs worth nearly $11 billion to boost clean energy systems in rural areas, administration officials said Tuesday. The programs are the New ERA program for rural electric cooperatives, and the PACE program for other energy providers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the funding “continues an ongoing effort to ensure that rural America is a full participant in this clean energy economy.”White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi said, “Rural areas can have more difficulty than more urban ones in attracting private sector investment. The programs are intended to allow those rural areas to take advantage of an industry-wide trend to invest in clean energy production.He said, “There's a favorable wind blowing here. This allows rural communities to put up a sail.”The programs are meant to put rural electric cooperatives on equal footing with larger privately owned companies that have already put major funding into clean energy deployment.The programs represent the largest single funding effort for rural electrification since President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act in 1936.The money is meant not only to address the climate impacts of fossil fuel energy and reduce home energy costs, but to act as an economic engine for rural areas.Rural electric cooperatives are eligible for the New ERA program, and up to 25% of the funding in that program can be in the form of direct grants. Utilities can use the money to build renewable energy systems, zero-emission systems and carbon capture facilities.The USDA will begin to accept initial applications for funding on July 31. Applicants are expected to write more detailed proposals for funding after the USDA accepts their initial applications.The PACE program provides loans to renewable energy developers and electric service providers “to help finance large-scale solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower projects and energy storage in support of renewable energy systems,” the release said. The program is targeted to “vulnerable, disadvantaged, Tribal and energy communities,” the release said. It's in line with a Biden administration goal to allocate at least 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal spending to disadvantaged communities.The USDA can forgive up to 40% of most of the loans in the program. Up to 60% of loans to applicants in some U.S. territories and tribal communities can be forgiven.Initial applications for that program will open June 30.ARIZONA MIRROR:National commission on the MMIP crisis meets in Arizona to hear testimony, recommendationsBY: SHONDIIN SILVERSMITH - MAY 15, 2023 1:50 PMFive empty chairs sat at the front of the Not Invisible Act Commission hearing, each wrapped in a shawl, blanket or quilt representing a different group of individuals impacted by human trafficking or with a loved one who is missing or murdered.“We want to allow space for representing our relatives,” commission member Grace Bulltail said, noting the traditions in many Indigenous families to always preserve a space for absent loved ones. “We're doing that to honor our loved ones,” Bulltail said, explaining that, by putting the chairs there, the commission hearing was holding space for them.The chair wrapped in a red shawl with white and yellow handprints honored the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The chair wrapped in a red, orange, bridge, and white Native design shawl with a black blazer draped over it was to honor the missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys. Another chair was wrapped in a light blue, white and purple quilt. Pinned to the quilt was a picture of 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike, a Navajo girl who was abducted and killed on the Navajo Nation in 2016. This chair honored Indigenous children.The chair wrapped in a maroon shawl with floral designs honored the LGBTQI and two-spirit Indigenous community. The chair wrapped in a brown Pendleton honored Indigenous veterans.The Not Invisible Act Commission, organized by the U.S. Department of the Interior,  held a public hearing at the Twin Arrows Casino near Flagstaff to hear testimony and recommendations from victims and families impacted by human trafficking and the missing and murdered Indigenous peoples crisis. The commission also heard from local tribal leaders and advocates. The Not Invisible Act was passed into law in October 2020, establishing the commission as a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee of federal and non-federal members, including law enforcement, tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors.The meeting at Twin Arrows was the commission's third public hearing. This summer, it has four more planned in Minnesota, northern California, New Mexico and Montana. The hearings are being held in communities impacted most by the MMIP crisis.Commissioners heard emotional testimony from Seraphine Warren and Pamela Foster as they shared their experiences of losing a loved one and advocated for change.Ms. Warren is the niece of Ella Mae Begay, a Navajo woman who went missing from her home in Sweetwater, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation on June 15, 2021. Warren continued to advocate for not only her aunt but all Indigenous people.Speaking through tears, she told her aunt's story. “I know it wasn't her legacy to be stolen or to be murdered,” Warren said. “Just because she isn't here doesn't mean she can't be part of change.”Begay is still missing, but there have been developments in her case. In March, Preston Henry Tolth, 23, of New Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Phoenix for assault and carjacking.The indictment alleges that, on June 15, 2021, Tolth assaulted Begay, resulting in serious bodily injury, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Tolth then took her Ford F-150 pickup truck and drove it from Arizona to New Mexico with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to Begay.Warren said during Tolth's arraignment hearing on April 7 in Flagstaff that she heard details about the night her aunt went missing that she was not ready for.Warren, in tears, told the commission that Tolth told federal agents that he “snapped” and struck her in the face multiple times, causing her to bleed from the nose and mouth. Tolth told authorities that he wasn't sure if she was dead, Warren said, and when he drove away, he said he regretted hitting her, since all he wanted was the truck.Tolth is being held in custody and is expected to go to trial later in May.Pamela Foster is the mother of Ashlynne Mike, the 11-year-old Navajo girl abducted and killed on the Navajo Nation in 2016. Foster has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts for Indigenous children and people since she lost her daughter. On the afternoon of May 2, 2016, Ashlynne Mike and her 9-year-old brother, Ian Mike, didn't make it home from school. When they got off the school bus in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation, a predator tricked them into getting into his van by promising them a ride home.Hours later, passersby found Ian Mike wandering alone in the area. Police located Ashlynne Mike's body on May 3, 2016, and discovered she had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and bludgeoned repeatedly with a tire iron.She said, “I miss my daughter every single day. I became a voice for my daughter the moment I received word that her life was taken from her.”She talked about how the system failed when her children were missing in 2016. She said that May 1 to May 6 is a nightmare for her every year, because she relives what happened to her children.Foster talked about the hours from when her children disappeared to when they found her daughter's body; she ran into countless obstacles that left her without support.“It was very hard to sit there and know that there were no resources available for my children,” Foster said. “I absolutely had nothing.”She said local law enforcement was not adequately trained to handle child abductions. There was no clear communication between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Instead of searching for her children, Foster said they were trying to figure out exactly what protocols were needed to start looking.“Time was lost,” Foster said, and they did not send out an AMBER Alert until the following day. Foster recalled the alert went out at 2 a.m., and she said that helped no one because not many people were awake then. She remembers hearing officers from the neighboring jurisdictions tell her they couldn't go out to look for her daughter until they were given the clearance to do so by the Navajo Nation Police Department. Foster said it frustrated her how long it took for that to happen. She said the anger and hurt about what happened to Ashlynne led her to be a voice for her daughter.“I promised her I would do something for all of our other Indigenous children. To give them the protection that they need so they don't go through the same thing.”Foster has led many grassroots efforts to support Indigenous children, including advocating and petitioning for the AMBER Alert system to include Indian Country.Foster said she wanted to change, and she knew the justice system in Indian Country needed to be updated, so she focused her efforts on the AMBER Alert system. Her advocacy resulted in the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018, which makes tribes eligible for AMBER Alert grants to integrate into state and regional AMBER Alert communication plans.“I always say that I've never received justice for what happened to my daughter because nothing can bring her back,” Foster said. “There will never be justice, but we can learn how to move forward in changing laws to make things better for our people.”The goal of the hearing was for the federal commissioners to listen and hear recommendations on the best course of action for the MMIP crisis. Commissioners will use the suggestions to develop their final report for the Department of Interior.Foster's big recommendation was not only geared at the commissioners, but other attendees of the hearing. She encouraged them to tell their tribal leaders to receive the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act training. “It is free,” she said, adding that it is a vital program for Indigenous communities because it will train police officers and social workers from the tribe. Because tribes are sovereign nations, the Department of Justice has to receive a request in order to run the training on tribal land: “Have your tribal leaders request this training for your community because the children are our next generation,” Foster said. “There's still a lot of tribes that need to be trained.”When Seraphine Warren was finished sharing her aunt's story, she laid out her recommendations. “Transparency and swift action is key,” she said, “which means that when a person is missing, law enforcement should immediately inform all jurisdictions and issue press releases to media channels to inform the public.”“Family members need to be regularly and constantly updated with the progress of the investigation, and families should be prioritized if any remains are found in any jurisdiction.” Some of the other recommendations included allowing families to hire private investigators, providing them access to case files, supporting families in organizing their task force, providing families with constant and reliable access to grief counseling services, medical attention, financial and legal assistance, and safe housing for families of missing or murdered loved ones. ASSOCIATED PRESS: If you're not first, you're last. DENVER (AP) — Sitting in front of a hulking red tractor, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making Colorado the first state to ensure farmers can fix their own tractors and combines with a “right to repair” law — which compels manufacturers to provide the necessary manuals, tools, parts and software farmers would need.Colorado, home to high desert ranches and sweeping farms on the plains, took the lead on the issue following a nationwide outcry from farmers that manufacturers blocked them from making fixes and forced them to wait precious days or even weeks for an official servicer to arrive — delays that hurt profits.While farmers wait and their increasingly high-tech tractors or combines sit idle, a hailstorm could decimate an entire crop. Or, a farmer could miss the ideal planting window for their crops to grow.Lawmakers in at least 10 other states have introduced similar legislation, including in Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont. But Colorado has taken the lead. At the signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon, under a light drizzle of rain, Gov. Polis said: “This bill will save farmers and ranchers time and money and support the free market in repair” before exclaiming, “first in the nation!”Behind the governor and arrayed farmers and lawmakers sat a red Steiger 370 tractor owned by a farmer named Danny Wood. Wood's tractor has flown an American flag reading “Farmers First,” and it has been one of two of his machines to break down, requiring long waits before servicers arrived to enter a few lines of computer code, or make a fix that Wood could have made himself.As the signing ceremony ended, Gov. Polis and Rep. Brianna Titone, who ran the bill in the state House, climbed inside the tractor for a photo as the ceremony ended.Great job, Rep. Titone! Huge win for this up-and-coming legislator. When I first saw her speak announcing her initial candidacy in 2017, I didn't know what to expect. Honestly, I didn't expect a lot, and I didn't particularly expect her to even win. And then, winning that seat was just the first of many instances where I've seen her demonstrate a level of depth, grit, and smarts that rival any of her peers. Great job Rep. Titone, you rock. CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK: Violent Femmes - performing their self-titled album - Levitt Pavilion in Denver on Sunday May 21. The cult favorite folk punk band from Milwaukee is celebrating 40 years since the release of their first album in 1983. More info at vfemmes.comWelp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Colorado Newsline, Arizona Mirror, Denver Post, Associated Press and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Colorado Gov Jared Polis delivers State of the State address to legislators | First bills filed in Colorado General Assembly | Interview w Democratic State Rep Matt Martinez, sponsor of a bill that would reduce prison sentences for nonviolent inmates who earn accredited degrees while incarcerated | Free Universal Pre-K application opens in Colorado | Arizona Gov Katie Hobbs calls for $40 Million DREAMER scholarship fundWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: DENVER (AP) — In yesterday's state of the state speech to lawmakers, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis laid out his vision to tackle the state's sky-high housing prices - including proposals to roll back building regulations, open public land to affordable housing development, and support innovations such as pre-built units.Polis, a Democrat re-elected in November, also touched on efforts to combat climate change, lower the state income tax, measures to reduce crime, and expanded education funding.Polis, the first openly gay governor in the U.S., starts his second term after a shooting at a Colorado Springs gay nightclub in November left five dead and has renewed calls by Democrats to enact stricter gun regulations.Looking down from the gallery were Richard Fierro and Thomas James, two patrons who tackled the shooter inside the club, as Polis read the names of those killed, asked for a moment of silence and nodded towards concerns around “spiraling hate speech.”Polis addressed gun violence but largely skirted Democrat proposals that included raising the minimum age to buy guns and potentially banning assault weapons.Polis told reporters after his address. “We are happy to discuss other ideas about how we can improve gun safety in Colorado and honor our Second Amendment rights," Polis lauded government intervention on housing, citing a ballot measure that Coloradans passed in November that dedicates an estimated $300 million annually to affordable housing. Polis said he also plans to “aggressively” free up parcels of state-owned land for low-income units.Polis gave his speech — which referenced everything from electric vehicle tax credits to "The Lord of the Rings” character Gandalf the Grey — after securing almost 60% of the vote in a state where Independent voters are one-third of the electorate. Polis's appeal has stirred rumors of a future presidential run.“Our state might be shaped like a square but the political pundits can't put us in a box,” Polis said. “We are a state that just this year voted to once again cut income taxes, while legalizing magic mushrooms.”Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.COLORADO NEWSLINE: Colorado legislature's first bills Soon after the Colorado General Assembly convened for the 2023 legislative session on Monday, members introduced the first bills of the year, offering a hint of Democratic priorities. Democrats enjoy large majorities in both legislative chambers.House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Democrat from Dillon, said “This session, we'll pass legislation to protect our water and air, invest in our schools, improve public safety, and make our state more affordable. Our first five bills are just the beginning, and we're excited to get to work building a Colorado where everyone can thrive,” In the House, the first five bills center on education investments, health care costs, mental health, language accessibility and water efficiency.House Bill 23-1001 would expand the eligibility for financial assistance and loan forgiveness for educators to address the state's teacher shortage. It is sponsored by Democratic Reps. Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins and Barbara McLachlan of Durango and Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada.House Bill 23-1002 would create an EpiPen affordability program for people who do not have health insurance. It would cap the cost of a two-pack of EpiPens, often used to treat severe allergic reactions, at $60. It is sponsored by Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat, and Sen. Dylan Roberts, an Avon Democrat.House Bill 23-1003 would form a mental health assessment program for Colorado youth in order to identify student mental health concerns and direct them to resources. It would be available in public schools for students in sixth through 12th grades. It is sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, an Aurora Democrat, and Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Littleton Democrat.In the Senate, the first five bills introduced involve housing, health care costs, education and workforce development for mental health and forestry professionals. Three of them have bipartisan sponsorship.Senate Bill 23-1 would provide $13 million to the Public-Private Partnership Office to encourage affordable workforce housing on state-owned land. The bill is sponsored by Roberts, Zenzinger, Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat, and Rep. Meghan Lukens, a Steamboat Springs Democrat.Senate Bill 23-2 would direct the state to seek federal authorization for Medicaid reimbursement for community health worker services. Community health care workers serve as a liaison between providers and community members and can often have a personal experience with a health condition and a cultural background they share with the community they serve. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by McCluskie, Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Federal Heights Democrat, Sen. Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican, and Rep. Mary Bradfield, a Colorado Springs Republican.Senate Bill 23-3 would create the Colorado Adult High School Program for adults to earn a high school diploma at no cost and enter the workforce. The program would include transportation support and child care. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Janet Buckner, an Aurora Democrat, Sen. Bob Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican, and Rep. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat.Two bills focus on the workforce shortage in our schools and in our forests. SB-4 would authorize schools to hire mental health professionals who are not licensed by the state Department of Education but hold a Colorado license for their profession. It is sponsored by Sen. Janice Marchman, a Loveland Democrat, Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat, and Michaelson Jenet.SB-5 involves wildfire mitigation and forestry professionals. It would direct the Colorado State Forest Service to create educational materials on the industry and create a new forestry program at Colorado Mountain College, among other provisions. REP MATT MARTINEZ INTERVIEWHB23-1037Department Of Corrections Earned Time For College Program CompletionConcerning awarding earned time to nonviolent offenders who complete an accredited higher education program.SESSION: 2023 Regular SessionSUBJECT: Crimes, Corrections, & EnforcementBILL SUMMARYUnder existing law, an inmate in the custody of the department of corrections (department) may have earned time deducted from the inmate's sentence for meeting certain statutory requirements. The bill permits an inmate sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to have earned time deducted from the inmate's sentence for each accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited institution of higher education to the inmate while the inmate is incarcerated, in the following amounts:One year of earned time for receiving an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree; and6 months of earned time for receiving a certificate or other credential.The bill requires the general assembly to annually appropriate the savings incurred during the prior state fiscal year as a result of the release of inmates from correctional facilities because of earned time granted for completion of a higher education degree or credential, as follows:50% of the savings to the department of corrections to facilitate inmates enrolling in and completing accredited higher education programs; and50% of the savings to the department of higher education for allocation to institutions of higher education that offer accredited programs in correctional facilities.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)Read LessCHALKBEAT COLORADO:Colorado's free preschool application is open. Here's what you need to know.The parent application for Colorado's new free preschool program opened yesterday— a major milestone in the march toward the program's launch next summer. The program, funded in part by a voter-approved nicotine tax, will offer 10 to 15 hours a week of tuition-free preschool to 4-year-olds statewide, with some eligible for 30 hours a week. In addition, some 3-year-olds will be eligible for 10 hours a week early childhood education.Families who fill out the application by Feb. 14, will find out what preschool their child matched with on March 10.State officials expect about 30,000 children to opt into the universal preschool program in its first year. That's about half the number that will be eligible. SO: Who gets free preschool and what age do they have to be?Three groups of children qualify: all 4-year-olds, some 3-year-olds who need extra help, and a small number of 5-year-olds who are too young for kindergarten. The goal is for kids to be more prepared for kindergarten.Some 4-year-olds will get 30 hours of free preschool a week, including those from lower-income families, kids who speak a language besides English at home, are homeless, in foster care, or have disabilities. The new preschool program will also cover 10 hours a week of preschool for 3-year-olds in these same groups. What's involved in the application? Are there income requirements?Many families will need about 15 minutes and not much else. The application is offered in English, Spanish, and Arabic, and parents should be able to complete the application on a cell phone or computer. Families that earn up to 270% of the federal poverty limit — about $81,000 a year for a family of four —will need to upload documents that prove their income.Can I pick my child's preschool?Yes. Families will be asked to pick up to five preschools they'd like their child to attend and will be able to rank their choices. Options include school-based preschools, church-based preschools, preschool programs inside child care centers, and state-licensed home-based preschools. Children will be prioritized for a spot in a preschool if they're already enrolled there, if a sibling is enrolled there, or if a parent works there. When does free preschool start in Colorado?August or September of this fall, depending on the specific preschool. For more information check out upk.colorado.gov or you can also contact the state's help desk at 303-866-5223 Do you have a question you don't see answered here or can't find the answer to elsewhere? Let us know at co.tips@chalkbeat.org and we'll do our best to find an answer. Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, covering early childhood issues and early literacy. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.ARIZONA MIRROR: Governor Hobbs wants a scholarship for DREAMERS.More than 3,000 undocumented students in Arizona could see their dreams of a college degree come true under a new scholarship proposed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. Dubbed the Promise for Dreamers Scholarship Program, the $40 million dollar investment is  aimed at supporting undocumented students who've attended an Arizona high school for at least two years. Scholarships from the program help fund four years at one of the state's three public universitiesThe new scholarship program debuted in Hobbs' State of the State speech last week, where she billed it as an extension of Proposition 308 which allows DREAMERS to pay in-state tuition and access state-funded financial help. Reyna Montoya, who was part of the effort to pass Prop. 308 said that even though it improves access to higher education, but it doesn't resolve the inequality undocumented students face at the federal level. To fill out the FAFSA, which determines a student's eligibility for low-income loans and scholarships like the Pell Grant, citizenship is a requirement.If you're a low-income student, typically you have other supports, like the Pell Grant,” Montoya said. If you're a Dreamer, and you're getting ready to graduate from high school, you're not eligible. Even paying in-state tuition is going to be a steep challenge if you're trying to pay for school completely out of your own pocket.“Seeing the same heartache time after time — I get the chills to think that we can have different conversations with our students looking ahead. We don't have to tell them, ‘You're limited to these extremelydifficult pathways if you want to obtain an education,'” she said. Montoya is also hopeful that the scholarship will benefit the state's future by creating a more educated workforce and helping to mitigate labor shortages. Arizona is currently grappling with teacher vacancies and faces a projected nursing shortage by 2030. “This would really help us close a lot of the workforce gaps that we have in the state,” she said, adding: “It's in our benefit to see education as an investment rather than an expense.” Potential future benefits are a significant argument in favor of the scholarship, said Tyler Montague, chairman of the Yes on 308 campaign. “It's a big payback. Everybody that we get through college — as compared to just high school — makes $650,000 to $1 million more over their lifetime, and they're putting that money back into the economy. And they pay, on average, $380,000 more over their lifetime in taxes, which is a massive financial return,” he said, citing national studies.Also important to consider are the social returns that college grads provide, Montague added.  People who earn a college degree are less likely to incur social costs, and are more involved in their communities. Montague hopes that the Republican-majority legislature gives the scholarship fund a fair shot, and keeps in mind the support that voters gave Prop. 308 as an indicator for the consensus around aiding undocumented youth in the state. “I would hope that the legislature takes their cue from (308) and acts accordingly,” he said. The proposition passed with a narrow 51% majority, but the approval across party lines was widespread, with as many as 27% of Republicans and 54% of Independents voting yes. Still, while Arizona voters agreed to level the playing field in university tuition rates, some Republican leaders in the legislature are balking at opening up access to state-funded scholarships. “Gov. KATIE HOBBS in her State of State stated that she would like to invest $40 million to help pay for illegal immigrants to attend college in Arizona,” tweeted House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci. “What about LEGAL citizens of Arizona or any other state?” Hobbs' budget proposal also includes an equivalent $40 million increase to the state's existing Arizona Promise Program, which she estimated on Monday could benefit as many as 10,000 more students. Last year, 4,000 students benefited. While the underlying legislation of Prop. 308 found bipartisan support, and was proposed by a Republican state senator, Hobbs' initiative may face an uphill battle in a statehouse with a more conservative bent to it. Enacting it through legislative channels isn't her only option; she could resort to issuing an executive order or negotiate with the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the state's universities. It's unclear, however, what path the governor's office will take; they did not respond to questions about what strategies it might consider to create the new scholarship fund.CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK:Billy Strings has 3 sold out shows February 2, 3, and 4 at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield.  At just 30 years old, Billy Strings is one of the most celebrated bluegrass musicians in America. He is known as an electric performer, keeping the improvisational tradition of bluegrass alive while incorporating a diverse variety of other genres into his music as well. Tickets and tour info at BillyStrings.comWelp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from the Colorado Newsline, Arizona Mirror, Chalkbeat Colorado, Indian Country Times and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Colorado Gov Jared Polis delivers State of the State address to legislators | First bills filed in Colorado General Assembly | Interview w Democratic State Rep Matt Martinez, sponsor of a bill that would reduce prison sentences for nonviolent inmates who earn accredited degrees while incarcerated | Free Universal Pre-K application opens in Colorado | Arizona Gov Katie Hobbs calls for $40 Million DREAMER scholarship fundWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Support this show and all the work in the Heartland POD universe by going to heartlandpod.com and clicking the link for Patreon, or go to Patreon.com/HeartlandPod to sign up. Membership starts at $1/month, with even more extra shows and special access at the higher levels. No matter the level you choose, your membership helps us create these independent shows as we work together to change the conversation.Alright! Let's get into it: DENVER (AP) — In yesterday's state of the state speech to lawmakers, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis laid out his vision to tackle the state's sky-high housing prices - including proposals to roll back building regulations, open public land to affordable housing development, and support innovations such as pre-built units.Polis, a Democrat re-elected in November, also touched on efforts to combat climate change, lower the state income tax, measures to reduce crime, and expanded education funding.Polis, the first openly gay governor in the U.S., starts his second term after a shooting at a Colorado Springs gay nightclub in November left five dead and has renewed calls by Democrats to enact stricter gun regulations.Looking down from the gallery were Richard Fierro and Thomas James, two patrons who tackled the shooter inside the club, as Polis read the names of those killed, asked for a moment of silence and nodded towards concerns around “spiraling hate speech.”Polis addressed gun violence but largely skirted Democrat proposals that included raising the minimum age to buy guns and potentially banning assault weapons.Polis told reporters after his address. “We are happy to discuss other ideas about how we can improve gun safety in Colorado and honor our Second Amendment rights," Polis lauded government intervention on housing, citing a ballot measure that Coloradans passed in November that dedicates an estimated $300 million annually to affordable housing. Polis said he also plans to “aggressively” free up parcels of state-owned land for low-income units.Polis gave his speech — which referenced everything from electric vehicle tax credits to "The Lord of the Rings” character Gandalf the Grey — after securing almost 60% of the vote in a state where Independent voters are one-third of the electorate. Polis's appeal has stirred rumors of a future presidential run.“Our state might be shaped like a square but the political pundits can't put us in a box,” Polis said. “We are a state that just this year voted to once again cut income taxes, while legalizing magic mushrooms.”Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.COLORADO NEWSLINE: Colorado legislature's first bills Soon after the Colorado General Assembly convened for the 2023 legislative session on Monday, members introduced the first bills of the year, offering a hint of Democratic priorities. Democrats enjoy large majorities in both legislative chambers.House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Democrat from Dillon, said “This session, we'll pass legislation to protect our water and air, invest in our schools, improve public safety, and make our state more affordable. Our first five bills are just the beginning, and we're excited to get to work building a Colorado where everyone can thrive,” In the House, the first five bills center on education investments, health care costs, mental health, language accessibility and water efficiency.House Bill 23-1001 would expand the eligibility for financial assistance and loan forgiveness for educators to address the state's teacher shortage. It is sponsored by Democratic Reps. Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins and Barbara McLachlan of Durango and Sen. Rachel Zenzinger of Arvada.House Bill 23-1002 would create an EpiPen affordability program for people who do not have health insurance. It would cap the cost of a two-pack of EpiPens, often used to treat severe allergic reactions, at $60. It is sponsored by Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat, and Sen. Dylan Roberts, an Avon Democrat.House Bill 23-1003 would form a mental health assessment program for Colorado youth in order to identify student mental health concerns and direct them to resources. It would be available in public schools for students in sixth through 12th grades. It is sponsored by Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, an Aurora Democrat, and Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Littleton Democrat.In the Senate, the first five bills introduced involve housing, health care costs, education and workforce development for mental health and forestry professionals. Three of them have bipartisan sponsorship.Senate Bill 23-1 would provide $13 million to the Public-Private Partnership Office to encourage affordable workforce housing on state-owned land. The bill is sponsored by Roberts, Zenzinger, Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat, and Rep. Meghan Lukens, a Steamboat Springs Democrat.Senate Bill 23-2 would direct the state to seek federal authorization for Medicaid reimbursement for community health worker services. Community health care workers serve as a liaison between providers and community members and can often have a personal experience with a health condition and a cultural background they share with the community they serve. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by McCluskie, Sen. Kyle Mullica, a Federal Heights Democrat, Sen. Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican, and Rep. Mary Bradfield, a Colorado Springs Republican.Senate Bill 23-3 would create the Colorado Adult High School Program for adults to earn a high school diploma at no cost and enter the workforce. The program would include transportation support and child care. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Janet Buckner, an Aurora Democrat, Sen. Bob Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican, and Rep. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat.Two bills focus on the workforce shortage in our schools and in our forests. SB-4 would authorize schools to hire mental health professionals who are not licensed by the state Department of Education but hold a Colorado license for their profession. It is sponsored by Sen. Janice Marchman, a Loveland Democrat, Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat, and Michaelson Jenet.SB-5 involves wildfire mitigation and forestry professionals. It would direct the Colorado State Forest Service to create educational materials on the industry and create a new forestry program at Colorado Mountain College, among other provisions. REP MATT MARTINEZ INTERVIEWHB23-1037Department Of Corrections Earned Time For College Program CompletionConcerning awarding earned time to nonviolent offenders who complete an accredited higher education program.SESSION: 2023 Regular SessionSUBJECT: Crimes, Corrections, & EnforcementBILL SUMMARYUnder existing law, an inmate in the custody of the department of corrections (department) may have earned time deducted from the inmate's sentence for meeting certain statutory requirements. The bill permits an inmate sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to have earned time deducted from the inmate's sentence for each accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited institution of higher education to the inmate while the inmate is incarcerated, in the following amounts:One year of earned time for receiving an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree; and6 months of earned time for receiving a certificate or other credential.The bill requires the general assembly to annually appropriate the savings incurred during the prior state fiscal year as a result of the release of inmates from correctional facilities because of earned time granted for completion of a higher education degree or credential, as follows:50% of the savings to the department of corrections to facilitate inmates enrolling in and completing accredited higher education programs; and50% of the savings to the department of higher education for allocation to institutions of higher education that offer accredited programs in correctional facilities.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)Read LessCHALKBEAT COLORADO:Colorado's free preschool application is open. Here's what you need to know.The parent application for Colorado's new free preschool program opened yesterday— a major milestone in the march toward the program's launch next summer. The program, funded in part by a voter-approved nicotine tax, will offer 10 to 15 hours a week of tuition-free preschool to 4-year-olds statewide, with some eligible for 30 hours a week. In addition, some 3-year-olds will be eligible for 10 hours a week early childhood education.Families who fill out the application by Feb. 14, will find out what preschool their child matched with on March 10.State officials expect about 30,000 children to opt into the universal preschool program in its first year. That's about half the number that will be eligible. SO: Who gets free preschool and what age do they have to be?Three groups of children qualify: all 4-year-olds, some 3-year-olds who need extra help, and a small number of 5-year-olds who are too young for kindergarten. The goal is for kids to be more prepared for kindergarten.Some 4-year-olds will get 30 hours of free preschool a week, including those from lower-income families, kids who speak a language besides English at home, are homeless, in foster care, or have disabilities. The new preschool program will also cover 10 hours a week of preschool for 3-year-olds in these same groups. What's involved in the application? Are there income requirements?Many families will need about 15 minutes and not much else. The application is offered in English, Spanish, and Arabic, and parents should be able to complete the application on a cell phone or computer. Families that earn up to 270% of the federal poverty limit — about $81,000 a year for a family of four —will need to upload documents that prove their income.Can I pick my child's preschool?Yes. Families will be asked to pick up to five preschools they'd like their child to attend and will be able to rank their choices. Options include school-based preschools, church-based preschools, preschool programs inside child care centers, and state-licensed home-based preschools. Children will be prioritized for a spot in a preschool if they're already enrolled there, if a sibling is enrolled there, or if a parent works there. When does free preschool start in Colorado?August or September of this fall, depending on the specific preschool. For more information check out upk.colorado.gov or you can also contact the state's help desk at 303-866-5223 Do you have a question you don't see answered here or can't find the answer to elsewhere? Let us know at co.tips@chalkbeat.org and we'll do our best to find an answer. Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, covering early childhood issues and early literacy. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.ARIZONA MIRROR: Governor Hobbs wants a scholarship for DREAMERS.More than 3,000 undocumented students in Arizona could see their dreams of a college degree come true under a new scholarship proposed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. Dubbed the Promise for Dreamers Scholarship Program, the $40 million dollar investment is  aimed at supporting undocumented students who've attended an Arizona high school for at least two years. Scholarships from the program help fund four years at one of the state's three public universitiesThe new scholarship program debuted in Hobbs' State of the State speech last week, where she billed it as an extension of Proposition 308 which allows DREAMERS to pay in-state tuition and access state-funded financial help. Reyna Montoya, who was part of the effort to pass Prop. 308 said that even though it improves access to higher education, but it doesn't resolve the inequality undocumented students face at the federal level. To fill out the FAFSA, which determines a student's eligibility for low-income loans and scholarships like the Pell Grant, citizenship is a requirement.If you're a low-income student, typically you have other supports, like the Pell Grant,” Montoya said. If you're a Dreamer, and you're getting ready to graduate from high school, you're not eligible. Even paying in-state tuition is going to be a steep challenge if you're trying to pay for school completely out of your own pocket.“Seeing the same heartache time after time — I get the chills to think that we can have different conversations with our students looking ahead. We don't have to tell them, ‘You're limited to these extremelydifficult pathways if you want to obtain an education,'” she said. Montoya is also hopeful that the scholarship will benefit the state's future by creating a more educated workforce and helping to mitigate labor shortages. Arizona is currently grappling with teacher vacancies and faces a projected nursing shortage by 2030. “This would really help us close a lot of the workforce gaps that we have in the state,” she said, adding: “It's in our benefit to see education as an investment rather than an expense.” Potential future benefits are a significant argument in favor of the scholarship, said Tyler Montague, chairman of the Yes on 308 campaign. “It's a big payback. Everybody that we get through college — as compared to just high school — makes $650,000 to $1 million more over their lifetime, and they're putting that money back into the economy. And they pay, on average, $380,000 more over their lifetime in taxes, which is a massive financial return,” he said, citing national studies.Also important to consider are the social returns that college grads provide, Montague added.  People who earn a college degree are less likely to incur social costs, and are more involved in their communities. Montague hopes that the Republican-majority legislature gives the scholarship fund a fair shot, and keeps in mind the support that voters gave Prop. 308 as an indicator for the consensus around aiding undocumented youth in the state. “I would hope that the legislature takes their cue from (308) and acts accordingly,” he said. The proposition passed with a narrow 51% majority, but the approval across party lines was widespread, with as many as 27% of Republicans and 54% of Independents voting yes. Still, while Arizona voters agreed to level the playing field in university tuition rates, some Republican leaders in the legislature are balking at opening up access to state-funded scholarships. “Gov. KATIE HOBBS in her State of State stated that she would like to invest $40 million to help pay for illegal immigrants to attend college in Arizona,” tweeted House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci. “What about LEGAL citizens of Arizona or any other state?” Hobbs' budget proposal also includes an equivalent $40 million increase to the state's existing Arizona Promise Program, which she estimated on Monday could benefit as many as 10,000 more students. Last year, 4,000 students benefited. While the underlying legislation of Prop. 308 found bipartisan support, and was proposed by a Republican state senator, Hobbs' initiative may face an uphill battle in a statehouse with a more conservative bent to it. Enacting it through legislative channels isn't her only option; she could resort to issuing an executive order or negotiate with the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the state's universities. It's unclear, however, what path the governor's office will take; they did not respond to questions about what strategies it might consider to create the new scholarship fund.CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK:Billy Strings has 3 sold out shows February 2, 3, and 4 at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield.  At just 30 years old, Billy Strings is one of the most celebrated bluegrass musicians in America. He is known as an electric performer, keeping the improvisational tradition of bluegrass alive while incorporating a diverse variety of other genres into his music as well. Tickets and tour info at BillyStrings.comWelp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from the Colorado Newsline, Arizona Mirror, Chalkbeat Colorado, Indian Country Times and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Congressman Jason Crow, and Tucker Carlson all say the state's Red Flag law and Law Enforcement failed n the Club Q shooting.  Are they right?  George and callers discuss.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," the U.S. faces some tough questions on public health — and public safety. Americans are gathering for the holidays, some for the first time in years, but health officials are warning a pandemic-weary populace of the dangers posed by a triple threat of respiratory viruses. We'll talk to Dr. Anthony Fauci about the risk. Plus, Rep. James Clyburn and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight on The Last Word: Appeals court judges are skeptical of Trump attorneys' claims in court. Also, top House Democrats usher in a new generation of leaders. Plus, Colorado Springs mourns for the five people killed in the Club Q shooting. And the Cherokee Nation pushes to seat a delegate in Congress. Andrew Weissmann, Rep.-elect Daniel Goldman, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Rep. James Clyburn and Cherokee Nation Delegate-designate Kim Teehee join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis reacts to the Colorado Springs LGBTQ club shooting, calling it an “act of evil” and says the state should assess how sheriffs use the red-flag law following the mass shooting. Then, Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell discuss the importance of their new film “Devotion,” share what telling the story of the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history means to them and explain the unusual way Powell pitched the film to Majors. In Hot Topics, the co-hosts question if Rep. McCarthy would remove Democrats from committees if he became the Speaker of the House, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is now the top donor in this year's election season, recently pulling ahead of rival Steve Wells, a Weld County rancher who donated $11 million to Deep Colorado Wells, his super PAC opposing Polis. Wells isn't even running for office. But Polis is up for reelection. Polis has donated $11.1 million to his own campaign. The Colorado Sun has been following the money and here today is business reporter Tamara Chuang interviews politics reporter Sandra Fish, who tells us more about why our mailboxes are getting stuffed with political postcards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TW: Child Death The last image of Candace shown in the courtroom was of her sitting cross-legged, staring blankly at the camera, her face, though still lovely, showing nothing of the smiling, apparently confident girl seen in her fourth-grade class photo that had been used to open the case in trial. During the last week of the trial, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens signed “Candace's Law” which bans the re-enactment of the birth process when it uses restraint that carries a risk of death or physical injury. Case Sources: allthatsinteresting.com abcnews.go.com childrenintherapy.org wikipedia.org my.clevelandclinic.org 1000placesudontwanttobe --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/nevertooearlyformurder/support

By the time Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was 16, he was already enrolled at Princeton University. At 23, he became a millionaire after selling the business he started in his college dorm, and at 25, he was elected to state-wide office in Colorado. As a Democratic politician with a libertarian streak, Gov. Polis spent 10 years in Congress before becoming governor. He joined David to talk about volunteering for campaigns before he was a teenager, the impact of the Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage and his concerns about the current court, his focus on education and charter schools, how he responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the advice he would give President Biden. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Why Are GOP Leaders Helping Biden? If you look closely, you will see Mitch McConnell and other assorted RINOS openly supporting the bulk of the Biden Agenda. All this -- even as Joe Biden reaches peak vulnerability and achieves an almost spectacular unpopularity. Worse than Carter. Alas, we must explain the unfortunate "Uniparty" reality once again. How will DC RINO sellouts affect the Colorado GOP Primary? Meanwhile, Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake shows her fellow GOP candidates exactly how to handle the propagandists at CNN. Nice. We study Professor John Mearsheimer's take on the "multi-dimensional disaster" in Ukraine, for which "the United States is principally responsible." Also, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says NO to the potential gas tax holiday. Out of touch much? Previewing the new biopic film about Elvis Presley. With Listener Calls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden told the Associated Press that “people are really, really down.” Chuck speaks with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) about how the Biden White House could reverse the country's malaise. Former Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor says the Russia-Ukraine war could stretch another year. Susan Page, Maria Teresa Kumar and Michael Steele join the Meet the Press NOW roundtable. Pete Williams looks back on the 50th anniversary of Watergate.

The issue of the wild mustangs that roam open rangeland across the West, including Colorado, continues to inspire strong feelings. This week the U.S. Bureau of Land Management will conduct another in an ongoing series of roundups designed to pull many of the horses off the landscape. And once again, the agency is clashing with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who has been a vocal opponent of the roundups. Sun reporter Jennifer Brown, who has been following this conflict for years, sat down with colleague Kevin Simpson to talk about the latest developments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs $200 Million homelessness bill into law | ARPA funds go to rail projects in 32 states | Housing Sec Marcia Fudge and US Rep Steven Horsford say corporate investors are pushing up housing costs | Interior Sec Deb Haaland announces BLM is cutting fees for solar and wind projects on public lands | Montana issues fentanyl warning as opioid overdose deaths spike | Democrats battle in Denver state house primary https://heartlandpod.com/Twitter: @TheHeartlandPODChange The Conversation

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs $200 Million homelessness bill into law | ARPA funds go to rail projects in 32 states | Housing Sec Marcia Fudge and US Rep Steven Horsford say corporate investors are pushing up housing costs | Interior Sec Deb Haaland announces BLM is cutting fees for solar and wind projects on public lands | Montana issues fentanyl warning as opioid overdose deaths spike | Democrats battle in Denver state house primary https://heartlandpod.com/Twitter: @TheHeartlandPOD"Change The Conversation"

Gov. Charlie Baker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis have teamed up to urge the Biden administration to "expeditiously" review Moderna's application for emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine that could be given to children under 5. WBZ's James Rojas reports.

How would a 3rd party candidate impact the Colorado Gov. Race?  George looks at a 3rd party candidate who could pull votes from the GOP candidate, resulting in another term for Gov. Polis.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will a 3rd party conservative candidate help or hurt re-election chances for Colorado Gov. Polis this fall?  George and callers discuss the impact of former GOP gubernatorial hopeful Danielle Neuschwanger announcing she is going to run as a member of the American Constitution Party.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently released kokanee salmon at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery near Gunnison. So what will their journey look like? And what's the state of kokanee salmon in Colorado? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The "Wokest" Pace on Earth.  George and callers discuss Colorado Gov. Polis' offer to Disney and Twitter after Florida Gov. DeSantis took aim at the Magic Kingdom and the social media platform for their political views.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado Gov. Signs Radical Abortion Bill | Joy Reid Compares Republicans to Al Qaeda | Twitter Says it will Not Reinstate Trump's Twitter Subscribe to the Podcast Here  https://apple.co/2ZAGmU1 Please Support me here https://www.patreon.com/join/JoeySalads  This is the Joey Saladino show where Joey goes over everything in the news. This is a Republican / Conservative News Commentary show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily News Brief for Wednesday April 6th, 2022 I am traveling today to Rapid City with the fellas to do a God and Government workshop and a live show with Uncle Gary and Comedian John Branyan will be opening! Please be in prayer for this trip. You can still go here: https://crosspolitic.com/rapid-city/ to sign up! With that said, tickets are now for sale for our show in Phoenix, AZ May 19th! Go here to sign up for that show: https://flfnetwork.com/product/crosspolitic-liberty-tour-phoenix-arizona/. We got some fun guest joining us for that show, and announcements will be rolling out next week. Our live show in Dallas/Fort Worth sold out, so don’t wait, go sign up now! Well, you are probably coming off your March Madness high, Kansas came out with a historic victory, overcoming a 15 point deficit against North Carolina beating them 72 to 69. My bracket was an utter failure Colorado Governor Signs Bill Codifying the Right to Abortion With No Restrictions https://www.theepochtimes.com/colorado-governor-signs-bill-codifying-the-right-to-abortion-with-no-restrictions_4383783.html According to Epoch Times: “Colorado’s governor on April 4 signed a bill into law that makes permanent the right for women to get abortions. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed HB 22-1279, also known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act, after the Democrat-controlled state legislature approved the legislation. The bill states that “every individual has a fundamental right to make decisions about the individual’s reproductive health care, including the fundamental right to use or refuse contraception” and that “a pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion.” Additionally, the legislation says fetuses, or unborn babies, do not have “independent or derivative rights” in Colorado. Polis and other supporters said the legislation will help ensure women’s rights are upheld even if the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade. “No matter what the Supreme Court does in the future, people, women in Colorado will be able to choose when or if they have children,” the governor said before signing the bill. “That includes assisted reproduction like IVF and it includes the legal ability to terminate a pregnancy without having to worry about being jailed.”” Oklahoma legislature approves abortion ban https://justthenews.com/government/state-houses/oklahoma-legislature-approves-abortion-ban According to Just in the News: “The Oklahoma House on Tuesday approved a bill that would make performing an abortion punishable by up to 10 years in prison in all cases except to save a mother's life. The bill passed 70-14 in the state House without any debate, the Associated Press reported. The legislation now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has said before that he will sign all pro-life bills he can. The abortion bill passed the state Senate last year. If enacted, a person convicted of performing a medically unnecessary abortion will face a maximum of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. "The penalties are for the doctor, not for the woman," said the Republican sponsor of the bill, Rep. Jim Olsen, the AP reported. The Oklahoma House passed a near-total abortion ban last month modeled off of the Texas law by allowing private citizens to sue those involved in abortions. The ACLU decried Oklahoma's abortion legislation on Tuesday.” Iron Apples DNB: The world in which we live is moving towards total techno tyranny at an incredible rate. This tyranny includes spying, censorship, data theft all through electronic means. Iron Apples is a small cybersecurity consultancy firm seeking to give churches, organizations, businesses, schools and individuals the education, resources and tools needed to be able to circumvent techno tyranny. Over the next year, Iron Apples will be hosting a series of virtual meetings to inform, educate and equip attendees with actual solutions to the problem we find ourselves in. Visit ironapples.com, and click events, in the bottom right corner of their site, to sign up today! That’s ironapples.com. Elon Musk buys huge stake in Twitter https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/elon-musk-twitter-buy-cost-stock-b2050414.html?utm_content=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Main&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1649069126 According to the Independent: “Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has bought a large stake in Twitter, paving the way for potential turbulence over the social media platform’s stance on free speech. The billionaire bought 9.2 per cent of the company, which is worth almost $3bn (£2.3bn), according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. “Oh hi lol,” has been his only tweet since the announcement, which sent shares in Twitter up more than 25 per cent. Mr Musk is one of Twitter’s most popular users, with more than 80 million followers. He is also particularly prolific, using his account to share memes as well as update on his life and his companies.” Do you think Elon will lobby to get Trump back on Twitter? In other news, Resident Joe Biden invitee former President Barack Obama to the Whitehouse to celebrate Obamacare, and Biden is still not with us: Roll clip: https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1511406895264931840 And then after the talk, apparently everyone wanted to talk to Obama, while no one wanted to talk to Biden: Roll clip: https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1511410171364454408 Closing This is Gabriel Rench with Crosspolitic News. Support Rowdy Christian media by joining our club at fightlaughfeast.com, downloading our App, and head to our annual Fight Laugh Feast Events. With your partnership, together we will fight outdated and compromised media, engage news and politics with the gospel, and replace lies and darkness with truth and light. Go to fightlaughfeast.com to take all these actions. Have a great day. Lord bless

Daily News Brief for Wednesday April 6th, 2022 I am traveling today to Rapid City with the fellas to do a God and Government workshop and a live show with Uncle Gary and Comedian John Branyan will be opening! Please be in prayer for this trip. You can still go here: https://crosspolitic.com/rapid-city/ to sign up! With that said, tickets are now for sale for our show in Phoenix, AZ May 19th! Go here to sign up for that show: https://flfnetwork.com/product/crosspolitic-liberty-tour-phoenix-arizona/. We got some fun guest joining us for that show, and announcements will be rolling out next week. Our live show in Dallas/Fort Worth sold out, so don’t wait, go sign up now! Well, you are probably coming off your March Madness high, Kansas came out with a historic victory, overcoming a 15 point deficit against North Carolina beating them 72 to 69. My bracket was an utter failure Colorado Governor Signs Bill Codifying the Right to Abortion With No Restrictions https://www.theepochtimes.com/colorado-governor-signs-bill-codifying-the-right-to-abortion-with-no-restrictions_4383783.html According to Epoch Times: “Colorado’s governor on April 4 signed a bill into law that makes permanent the right for women to get abortions. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed HB 22-1279, also known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act, after the Democrat-controlled state legislature approved the legislation. The bill states that “every individual has a fundamental right to make decisions about the individual’s reproductive health care, including the fundamental right to use or refuse contraception” and that “a pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion.” Additionally, the legislation says fetuses, or unborn babies, do not have “independent or derivative rights” in Colorado. Polis and other supporters said the legislation will help ensure women’s rights are upheld even if the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade. “No matter what the Supreme Court does in the future, people, women in Colorado will be able to choose when or if they have children,” the governor said before signing the bill. “That includes assisted reproduction like IVF and it includes the legal ability to terminate a pregnancy without having to worry about being jailed.”” Oklahoma legislature approves abortion ban https://justthenews.com/government/state-houses/oklahoma-legislature-approves-abortion-ban According to Just in the News: “The Oklahoma House on Tuesday approved a bill that would make performing an abortion punishable by up to 10 years in prison in all cases except to save a mother's life. The bill passed 70-14 in the state House without any debate, the Associated Press reported. The legislation now heads to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has said before that he will sign all pro-life bills he can. The abortion bill passed the state Senate last year. If enacted, a person convicted of performing a medically unnecessary abortion will face a maximum of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. "The penalties are for the doctor, not for the woman," said the Republican sponsor of the bill, Rep. Jim Olsen, the AP reported. The Oklahoma House passed a near-total abortion ban last month modeled off of the Texas law by allowing private citizens to sue those involved in abortions. The ACLU decried Oklahoma's abortion legislation on Tuesday.” Iron Apples DNB: The world in which we live is moving towards total techno tyranny at an incredible rate. This tyranny includes spying, censorship, data theft all through electronic means. Iron Apples is a small cybersecurity consultancy firm seeking to give churches, organizations, businesses, schools and individuals the education, resources and tools needed to be able to circumvent techno tyranny. Over the next year, Iron Apples will be hosting a series of virtual meetings to inform, educate and equip attendees with actual solutions to the problem we find ourselves in. Visit ironapples.com, and click events, in the bottom right corner of their site, to sign up today! That’s ironapples.com. Elon Musk buys huge stake in Twitter https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/elon-musk-twitter-buy-cost-stock-b2050414.html?utm_content=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Main&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1649069126 According to the Independent: “Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has bought a large stake in Twitter, paving the way for potential turbulence over the social media platform’s stance on free speech. The billionaire bought 9.2 per cent of the company, which is worth almost $3bn (£2.3bn), according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. “Oh hi lol,” has been his only tweet since the announcement, which sent shares in Twitter up more than 25 per cent. Mr Musk is one of Twitter’s most popular users, with more than 80 million followers. He is also particularly prolific, using his account to share memes as well as update on his life and his companies.” Do you think Elon will lobby to get Trump back on Twitter? In other news, Resident Joe Biden invitee former President Barack Obama to the Whitehouse to celebrate Obamacare, and Biden is still not with us: Roll clip: https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1511406895264931840 And then after the talk, apparently everyone wanted to talk to Obama, while no one wanted to talk to Biden: Roll clip: https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1511410171364454408 Closing This is Gabriel Rench with Crosspolitic News. Support Rowdy Christian media by joining our club at fightlaughfeast.com, downloading our App, and head to our annual Fight Laugh Feast Events. With your partnership, together we will fight outdated and compromised media, engage news and politics with the gospel, and replace lies and darkness with truth and light. Go to fightlaughfeast.com to take all these actions. Have a great day. Lord bless

(00:00-10:20): Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law on Monday that pro-lifers say legalizes abortion up to the moment of birth by declaring that the unborn child “does not have independent” rights in the state. Brian and Aubrey shared their reaction and talked about how the church can help tackle the issue of abortion. (10:20-21:23): Parenting Question: Brian asked his daughter to explain all of the variations of gender pronouns. How do you tackle that issue with your kids? (21:23-29:39): David French wrote about the mental health crisis facing teens. He wonders if they are taking their cues from their parents. Brian and Aubrey shared their reaction. (29:39-37:56): Why is Easter important? Timothy Keller said on Twitter: "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead." (37:56-45:52): What do we do with our regrets? Brian and Aubrey talked about a piece from Paul Tripp. (45:52-55:35): Is it OK to be sarcastic if you're a Christian. Brian and Aubrey discussed the times Jesus “couldn't even” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado, and an entrepreneur in his own right, joins the show to discuss the ways his state is helping small businesses succeed. Some initiatives include reducing fees startups would pay to incorporate, temporarily waiving state sales tax for restaurants to offset pandemic pressures, and encouraging apprenticeships to help job seekers upskill into open work roles. Hear how PPP loans have sustained Colorado businesses, the $6 billion in venture capital attracted last year, and what Gov. Polis (D-CO) sees as additional opportunities to ensure a robust recovery.   Topics include: 0:58 - Colorado reduced business personal property tax 1:34 - Will it be free to start your business there? 2:53 - Many CO businesses received PPP loan support 3:22 - Restaurant sales tax waived for several months 3:57 - Consumer behavior a factor; PPP led to robust recovery 4:52 - Colorado seeking to reduce fees, suspend gas taxes, more 6:14 - Polis urging flexible hiring, ex: 2 PT hires fill 1 FT post 7:49 - Apprenticeships also key in CO workforce readiness 8:37 - Most CO employers paying well above minimum wage 9:42 - Multiple factors attracting startups to Colorado Resources: Gov. Polis shared how many Colorado businesses are paying above minimum wage to attract skilled workers. If you employ workers in or from Colorado, read our recent article on changes in some minimum wage provisions that may apply to you at www.paychex.com/articles/compliance/colorado-minimum-wage-order. Does Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act apply to your business? Read our article to learn more at www.paychex.com/articles/compliance/colorado-equal-pay-act. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Polis sits down with Yahoo Finance's Rick Newman to discuss the economy in Colorado, why he wants a suspension of gas taxes, and what a 'digital state' for crypto would look like. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First, Dana speaks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about whether Russia's plan to invade Ukraine is already in motion, after a series of alleged false flag incidents in Eastern Ukraine and Russia's announcement that it will extend military exercises in Belarus indefinitely. Then, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö joins to share his unique insight into Russian President Putin's mindset and what he thinks the Ukraine crisis means for the world. Later, with more Democratic governors lifting Covid-19 restrictions, Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis joins Dana to discuss why he lifted his state's indoor mask mandate more than 8 months ago and doesn't plan on bringing it back. Plus, the GOP is divided over support for Ukraine, as some Republicans call for sanctions and others question whether the U.S. should be involved at all. And with the midterm elections approaching, what do everyday Americans think about tensions between Ukraine and Russia? CNN Global Affairs Analyst Susan Glasser, CNN Political Commentator & Former Special Assistant to President George W Bush Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator & Republican Strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred join today's panel. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis joins us today for an interview as he kicks off his 2022 reelection campaign. The Democrat spoke to political editor and reporter Jesse Paul about his first term, what his policy plans are if he is reelected in November and what challenges the state faces in the coming years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NTD News Today—12/31/2021 1. Colorado Wildfires Burn at Least 580 Homes 2. Governor Reduces Driver's 110-year Sentence 3. 206 Marines Kicked Out for Defying Vax Rule 4. Biden Calls on SCOTUS to Keep Vaccine Mandate 5. Times Square Ball Tested for New Year's Eve

No one disputes that the brakes on Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos's truck failed before the deadly Colorado highway collision that left four dead and half a dozen more injured. “I would have preferred God took me instead of them,” the 26-year-old said last week in a tearful court appearance. With convictions on 27 counts, the judge said he had no choice but to sentence Aguilera-Mederos to 110 years in prison — a punishment that would rally activists and spark a flurry of signatures on the fastest-growing Change.org petition of 2021. Now the district attorney has moved to reconsider the sentence, and the office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is reviewing an application for clemency. “As Colorado law required the imposition of the sentence in this case, the law also permits the Court to reconsider its sentence in an exceptional case involving unusual and extenuating circumstances,” wrote First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King in a motion requesting a hearing on the matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one disputes that the brakes on Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos's truck failed before the deadly Colorado highway collision that left four dead and half a dozen more injured. “I would have preferred God took me instead of them,” the 26-year-old said last week in a tearful court appearance. With convictions on 27 counts, the judge said he had no choice but to sentence Aguilera-Mederos to 110 years in prison — a punishment that would rally activists and spark a flurry of signatures on the fastest-growing Change.org petition of 2021. Now the district attorney has moved to reconsider the sentence, and the office of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is reviewing an application for clemency. “As Colorado law required the imposition of the sentence in this case, the law also permits the Court to reconsider its sentence in an exceptional case involving unusual and extenuating circumstances,” wrote First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King in a motion requesting a hearing on the matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's pre-Christmas episode of Reclaiming My Time, Nathan and Jason discuss Joe Manchin potentially killing the Build Back Better Act, our mutual respect for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and the White House's cold statement on Americans who are unvaccinated. We also dive into more about Christmas, including our plans for the holiday, our least favorite Christmas activities, and Jason's birthday, which happens to fall on Christmas. We also discuss supply chain issues that could cause some Christmas gifts to arrive late. Merry Christmas, folks! Don't forget to subscribe to Reclaiming My Time on Apple Podcasts (https://bit.ly/RMTPod), Google Podcasts (https://bit.ly/RMTGPlay), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/RMTYouTube).

In this week's headlines: • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made history as the first out governor to get married while in office • Out football player Carl Nassib made a game-changing play in his first regular season game as an out NFL player • Parkland shooting survivor and gun legislation advocate Cameron Kasky came out • RuPaul scored big at the Emmy Awards • Out singer/songwriter alex shares his deeply relatable new single “Confrontations” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

In this week's headlines: • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made history as the first out governor to get married while in office • Out football player Carl Nassib made a game-changing play in his first regular season game as an out NFL player • Parkland shooting survivor and gun legislation advocate Cameron Kasky came out • RuPaul scored big at the Emmy Awards • Out singer/songwriter alex shares his deeply relatable new single “Confrontations” All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Of Denver's 56 historic districts and 352 individual landmarks, less than 3% commemorate non-white contributions to the city's history. Tonight, Denver City Council could change that. They are set to vote on the creation of a historic cultural district in La Alma Lincoln Park, which would make it the first historic district in the country to honor the Chicano movement. Sitting outside the La Alma Rec Center, City Cast Denver host Bree Davies spoke with Ean Thomas Tafoya and Cathy and Desiree Prieto, community members who have strong roots in the neighborhood. They talk about the importance of La Alma Lincoln Park as not only a place where Chicano civil rights took hold, but where community pride is housed in the structures and city blocks they've called home.  For more on the push to designate La Alma Lincoln Park a historic cultural district, here's a write-up from Historic Denver.  City Cast Denver was proud to have published one of the final interviews with former Colorado governor Dick Lamm last Monday. His wife Dottie Lamm announced this past Friday that the former governor died of complications related to a pulmonary embolism on Thursday evening. He was 85 years old. We have included a short remembrance in this episode. For more on his life and career in politics, we recommend these articles from the Denver Post and Colorado Public Radio: Former Gov. Richard ‘Dick' Lamm, A Complex And Controversial Figure In Colorado Politics, Dies At 85 Former three-term Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm dies at 85 Subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter for more news from around Denver: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ And get the tweets @citycastdenver

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis accepted an invitation to speak to cattlemen and women attending the 154th Convention of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association. This podcast includes his address and Q&A with CCA President Janie VanWinkle.

U.S. billionaire and one-time cryptocurrency skeptic Carl Icahn is contemplating a potential $1.5 billion investment in digital currencies. Filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission reveal that major IT conglomerate Globant has become the latest big firm to invest in Bitcoin, buying $500,000 worth of BTC. Colorado Gov. A crypto-friendly bill — co-authored by a cryptocurrency firm and first introduced by Republican state senator Mike Flood this January — was signed into law today in Nebraska. Jared Polis said he’s hopeful state residents can pay their taxes with crypto, and he wants it to happen soon. Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis tweets “I’m primarily focused on working with the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission and others to ensure that any regulations on new kinds of banks and digital assets foster innovation instead of stifling it.” Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful stated that he bought the crypto dip. Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has made an investment in Polygon, a layer 2 Ethereum scaling solution.

Today's LIVE RADIO TOPICS by TIMECODE  0:00  Colorado Gov: “surge of YOUNG cases” to push vaccines to children  2:51 California town offers $10,000 RAFFLE to 16-18 who take the jab? How about Russia Roulette?  Can we bribe them to play that? 8:20 Jailed Canadian pastor, James Coates, gets his day in court — where's the “science” about prohibition of singing?  Anti-Lockdown Rodeo outrages the dictators 19:41 Let them eat — MEALWORMS!  EU climate alarmists' meat alternative 21:00 San Antonio threatens 8 & 10 yr old girls selling their chickens' eggs to neighbors.  Their father has a solution 23:31 Arizona joins other states to stop “civil asset forfeiture”, started by Biden 37 years ago — taking property w/o conviction or even charging people with a crime 33:28 Biden promised decriminalization of pot but instead he's criminalizing “menthol” in cigarettes; How do we stop prohibition of menthol, GUNS, or any other unconstitutional overreach by Feds? 43:13 DeSantis is a great example of how a candidate can have great policy and bad policy on the SAME issues, e.g. vaccines and free speech

Today's LIVE RADIOTOPICS by TIMECODE 0:00 Colorado Gov: “surge of YOUNG cases” to push vaccines to children 2:51 California town offers $10,000 RAFFLE to 16-18 who take the jab? How about Russia Roulette? Can we bribe them to play that?8:20 Jailed Canadian pastor, James Coates, gets his day in court — where's the “science” about prohibition of singing? Anti-Lockdown Rodeo outrages the dictators19:41 Let them eat — MEALWORMS! EU climate alarmists' meat alternative21:00 San Antonio threatens 8 & 10 yr old girls selling their chickens' eggs to neighbors. Their father has a solution23:31 Arizona joins other states to stop “civil asset forfeiture”, started by Biden 37 years ago — taking property w/o conviction or even charging people with a crime33:28 Biden promised decriminalization of pot but instead he's criminalizing “menthol” in cigarettes; How do we stop prohibition of menthol, GUNS, or any other unconstitutional overreach by Feds?43:13 DeSantis is a great example of how a candidate can have great policy and bad policy on the SAME issues, e.g. vaccines and free speech

On today's Front Page: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admits that DHS has released migrants who jumped the southern border into communities without coronavirus testing, President Biden has staked out new ground in the battle over the Senate filibuster, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis's proclamation encouraging residents to skip saturated fats on March 20 has backfired, and more.

Colorado Gov. Polis on meat processing, food, and Friday night lights. Betsy Markey, executive director, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, also speaks to my first question.

Table of Contents: IT BEGINS: NY Gov. activates National Guard to create “containment zone” while Colorado Gov. declares State of Emergency What is Your Biblical Obligation to Warning Others Receiving Biblical Correction CA Gov Newsom's Draconian Executive Order Trump retweets White House photo of him fiddling, says he doesn't know ‘what this means The Lancet:…

Today we sit down with two employees from Quorum – an integrated public affairs software platform providing stakeholder engagement, legislative tracking, and grassroots advocacy tools to government affairs professionals. Quorum is represented in this episode by Gray Kinsella and Neal Walia. Neal was raised in Colorado, attending Univ. of Colorado-Boulder for his B.A. in Political Science and International Affairs, and Univ. of Colorado-Denver for his M.A. in Criminal Justice. Neal served as a Program Coordinator for Community Partnerships for former Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper. He was a Legislative Coordinator for the National Governor's Association before joining the Quorum team. Gray is from the Boston area and attended George Washington Univ. for his B.A. in Political Science and Political Communication. He served in Marketing Research and Sales Support for Proclivity Recruitment Solutions in the D.C. area before joining Quorum. Quorum was founded 6 years ago in a Harvard dorm room by two college students who wanted to help improve the advocacy capabilities of individuals working in the government affairs space. Today it has over 85 employees, serving clients ranging from NGOs, embassies, and lobbying firms across the globe. For a recent story about Quorum expanding their international capacity, see the following link. Help us grow! Leave us a rating and review - it's the best way to bring new listeners to the show.  Have a suggestion, or want to chat with Jim? Email him at: Jim@theLobbyingShow.com Follow The Lobbying Show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for weekly updates about the show, our guests, and more.

On this episode of The Critical Hour, Dr. Wilmer Leon is joined by Greg Palast, author and award-winning investigative reporter featured in The Guardian, Nation Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine, BBC and other high profile media outlets. A recent Time Magazine piece, "Why the Mueller Report Might Disappoint Almost Everybody," states, "It is impossible to know what his conclusions will be. But after so much speculation, one outcome seems likely: Mueller will disappoint just about everyone — especially President Trump's critics. And it won't be his fault." Now, House Democrats are ramping up their probe against Trump, demanding documents from more than 80 people and institutions affiliated with him. Are the Democrats continuing to try and take us down a rabbit hole?A plan to circumvent the Electoral College is gaining momentum among blue states after Democrats suffered two crushing defeats in presidential elections over the past two decades. The plan has been given new impetus after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said this week that he will sign a bill to have his state become the 12th state, along with the District of Columbia, to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The states making up the compact, which already include New York, Illinois and all the New England states except for New Hampshire, would commit to awarding their electoral votes to whoever wins the popular vote nationally, regardless of the results in the Electoral College.The US military has deployed its most advanced air and missile defense system to Israel for the first time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “The American THAAD system is considered among the most advanced systems in the world, and together with our defense systems, we are stronger in dealing with threats, close or distant, emanating from all areas of the Middle East,” The US military said the decision to rapidly move the THAAD system to Israel was intended “as a demonstration of the United States' continued commitment to Israel's regional security.” Meanwhile, Rep. Ilhan Omar is being attacked by both Democrats and Republican for questioning the US' loyalty to Israel. Responding to backlash over the weekend, she wrote, “I have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it, and that has been clear from my end.” Pelosi and other senior Democrats are drafting a resolution to address the controversy. What's really going on?Opposition leader Juan Guaidó returned to Venezuela after a 10-day absence, under threats of arrest as he attempts to carry out the US-backed campaign to push out democratically elected President Nicolás Maduro. According to the Washington Post, "The United States and other countries have warned Maduro against detaining the opposition leader, who has been recognized by much of the world as Venezuela's interim president." If Venezuela is a sovereign state, please explain how the US is not in violation of Article 3 of the Organization of American States Charter, which states, “e. Every State has the right to choose, without external interference, its political, economic and social system and to organize itself in the way best suited to it, and has the duty to abstain from intervening in the affairs of another State." Interference by the US and other countries also entails violations of Articles 1 and 2 of the UN Charter, as well as articles 19 and 20 of the OAS Charter. What does this mean for the politics of the situation and for the people of Venezuela going forward?GUESTS:Greg Palast — Award-winning investigative reporter featured in The Guardian, Nation Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine, BBC and other high profile media outlets. He covered Venezuela for The Guardian and BBC Television's "Newsnight." His BBC reports are the basis of his film, "The Assassination of Hugo Chavez." Daniel Lazare — Journalist and author of three books: "The Frozen Republic," "The Velvet Coup" and "America's Undeclared War."Alfred de Zayas — Professor of international law at the Geneva School of Diplomacy, former UN Independent Expert on International Order, former secretary of the UN Human Rights Committee and former chief of the Petitions Department at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Software Quality Engineer Interview starts at 12:46 and ends at 41:14 “Somehow the Goodreads would talk to the Amazon/Kindle cloud, so as new notes come in it would sync those down from Goodreads as well. And then they would just show up in your notes and highlights with the name of the person who you were following. I think that would be really cool.” News “Another big Amazon acquisition, a Peloton IPO--and other commerce predictions for 2018” by Jason Del Rey at Recode - January 4, 2018 “Barnes & Noble shares hit near 24-year low after disappointing holiday sales” by Jessica Dye at The Financial Times - January 5, 2018 Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on HQ2 prospects (CNBC) - January 3, 2018 PaddyPower odds for HQ2 cities - January 3, 2018 “This smart suitcase uses Segway technology to balance itself as it follows you around” by Thuy Ong at The Verge - January 4, 2017 CES in Las Vegas Tech Tip All about Kindle bookmarks Interview with Tom Semple The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space, and Speed [Kindle in Motion] by Scott Parazynski Off to Be the Wizard (Magic 2.0 Book 1) [Kindle in Motion] by Scott Meyer Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated [Kindle in Motion] by J. K. Rowling Ricochet Joe (Amazon Original Story) [Kindle in Motion] by Dean Koontz Spotify Prime Music Audible Content David Ignatius will appear on C-Span's BookTV show Sunday, January 7, 2018 at noon EST BBC iPlayer Radio app for Fire tablets Next Week's Guest Dean Koontz, bestselling author of a new Amazon Original Story, Ricochet Joe, published by Amazon Publishing Music for my podcast is from an original Thelonius Monk composition named "Well, You Needn't." This version is "Ra-Monk" by Eval Manigat on the "Variations in Time: A Jazz Perspective" CD by Public Transit Recording" CD. Please Join the Kindle Chronicles group at Goodreads!

In his book, The Brave New World of Health Care, former Colorado Gov. Richard D. Lamm discusses the good the bad and the future of the current US Health Care System: the brilliance of our doctors, the quality of our delivery systems and the promise of our technological advancements versus the disparity in treatment between the rich and poor, the lack of cost containment and other control mechanisms and our ability to sustain our healthcare future.