RSS Feed List of Recent Postings: Capitol Coverage Project

Governor Makes First Appearance After Accident

Bente Birkeland — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:30:11 GMT

Governor Bill Ritter is back to work at the capitol after breaking five ribs in a bicycle accident last week. He talked to reporters in his office on Wednesday, looking relaxed but admitting he�s still in a lot of pain. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland has more from Denver. [SOQ includes underwriting]

Insurance Bill Clears State Senate

Bente Birkeland — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:09:36 GMT

After a heated debate, the state senate has cleared a bill that aims to crack down on insurance companies for giving financial incentives to employees for denying claims when someone is sick. It now heads to the house. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland reports from the state house. [SOQ includes underwriting]

Amazon Fires Back at State

Bente Birkeland — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:26:40 GMT

Amazon dot com is firing its affiliate marketers in Colorado just one week after a new law went into effect that aims to collect sales taxes from online purchases. Amazon calls the regulations burdensome and unconstitutional and says it will no longer advertise within the state. The Governor says the move is completely unjustified. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland reports from Denver. [SOQ includes underwriting]

Capitol Conversation

Bente Birkeland — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:40:50 GMT

The legislature has recently passed a bill requiring large electric utilities to get 30 percent of their energy from renewable sources by the year 2020, after hours of debate. It now awaits the Governor�s signature. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland examines why the issue has caused such partisan fighting this year, as part of our capitol conversation series, . [SOQ includes underwriting]

Lawmakers Debate Marijuana Dispensaries

Bente Birkeland — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:06:58 GMT

Medical marijuana advocates packed a state capitol hearing on Thursday, blasting a bill that would regulate medical marijuana dispensaries. Many say any regulation of the drug is bad and would hurt patients. Lawmakers on the house judiciary committee also had concerns with the 48 page measure, which they delayed voting on. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland has more from the state house. [SOW includes underwriting]

Race to the Top

Bente Birkeland — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:58:36 GMT

Colorado is one of sixteen states - and the only western state - selected as part of a national contest for millions of dollars in federal education grants. Kirk Siegler reports from KUNC.

Republican Budget Bill Killed in Committee

Bente Birkeland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:52:10 GMT

A Republican proposal calling for across the board budget cuts got it's first and final hearing at the statehouse on Wednesday dying on a party line vote. Majority Democrats called the measure careless and unproductive. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland reports from the statehouse. [SOQ includes underwriting]

Lifetime State Parks Pass for Seniors

Bente Birkeland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:49:50 GMT

Lawmakers at the capitol are arguing over a bill that may effect many of them, or their parents. The senate cleared a measure on Wednesday to allow seniors to buy a lifetime state parks pass. It passed despite objections from some lawmakers who say it's unfair for seniors to get a special break when no-one else does. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland reports from the state capitol. [SOQ includes underwriting]

Higher Ed Cuts and a Student Vote

Bente Birkeland — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:16:16 GMT

A bill to give students a vote on the board of Governors at Colorado State University initially cleared the house of representatives on Tuesday. A similar measure failed to pass out of a committee last year when state lawmakers worried that students lacked the maturity and wisdom to make governing decisions. But as Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland reports from the state house, a higher education funding crisis has given this year�s effort a little more momentum. [SOQ includes underwriting]

Toxins in Personal Care Products Fails in House

Bente Birkeland — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:25:57 GMT

A measure that would ban certain toxins and carcinogens from cosmetics and shampoos failed by a 7 to 4 vote in the house judiciary committee after lengthy debate. Colorado would've been the first state to have such a ban, but lawmakers say the science isn�t there to link the ingredients to cancer. Bente (BEN tuh) Birkeland reports from the state capitol.