New Arapahoe judicial district is official, potentially easing pressure on Aurora dockets
The new district will eventually retain eight judges, while the Arapahoe County jurisdiction will see its number of jurists reduced from 24 to 17, according to legislative documents. Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln County voters will hire the 23rd Judicial District’s first-ever district attorney in…
Bipartisan bill calling for Arapahoe County’s own judicial district heads to legislative committee
Aurora Democratic lawmakers Rep. Mike Weissman and Sen. Rhonda Fields earlier this month introduced a bill calling to carve Arapahoe County out of the current 18th Judicial District and create a wholly new court jurisdiction for the first time in more than 50 years….
Lawmakers aim to divide 18th Judicial District
Colorado state lawmakers on Jan. 8 introduced House Bill 20-1026, which would create a 23rd Judicial District by splitting the 18th in two. The district today serves more than 1 million people and comprises Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. The next largest, Colorado’s…
2019 Colorado Legislature bets big with new laws for everyone
HB19-1318: Light on local election cash Sponsored by Aurora Democrat Mike Weissman, the so-called “Clean Campaign Act of 2019” seeks to add transparency to local elections. The measure prohibits issue committees from knowingly accepting contributions from foreign agents and tightens some restrictions on large…
Colorado Commits $45 Million Annually, Additional $30 Million to Housing Fund
HB 19-1245 provides Colorado with a robust source of dedicated funding for affordable housing, a long sought after goal of housing and homeless advocates throughout the state. The legislation adjusts an existing Colorado vendor fee and commits the revenue generated to the Division of…
Polis signs bills to aid renters, seniors and Coloradans with disabilities
Gov. Jared Polis signed three bills Monday to give renters more time to avoid an eviction and a rebate program for older Coloradans and people with disabilities. The three were part of a sweeping package of legislation Democrats passed during the four-month session that…
Colorado’s consumer protection laws are getting much tougher
The legislature responded this year by passing the first major overhaul of the state’s consumer protection laws in decades. The changes give prosecutors and private attorneys much more leeway in bringing cases against companies with questionable business practices and open the door for significantly…
New Law Allows For More Affordable Housing Funding In Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis has signed four bills into law, doubling the money spent on affordable housing in Colorado. New Law Allows For More Affordable Housing Funding In Colorado
EDITORIAL: Historic Colorado 2019 Legislative session gets an ‘A’ for delivering progress
Colorado lawmakers made giant leaps this year, crafting changes that promise to have a real effect on reducing gun violence, reeling in unaffordable health care, protecting the environment, improving student performance, protecting gay children and ensuring public safety and police credibility. EDITORIAL: Historic Colorado…
EDITORIAL: Colorado politicians address mental health crisis
Senate Bill 223 overhauls the criminal process for those whose mental competency is in question, and requires the Department of Human Services to track their conditions and ensure they get required treatments. The bill passed the House by a 59-4 vote. … The Legislature…
Paid for by Friends of Mike Weissman.