Colorado Legislature State Power Expands, TABOR Circumvented
Democrats passed three bills imposing unfunded mandates on counties—overriding local zoning, forcing nursing home costs onto taxpayers, eliminating retirement benefit flexibility. Senate Democrats advanced legislation reclassifying millions in state revenue to avoid TABOR spending limits without voter approval.
Democrats blocked legislation protecting minors from irreversible gender medicine despite European evidence showing harm. One bipartisan victory: increased penalties for child sexual exploitation.
Constitutional questions raised on parental rights, Sixth Amendment protections, Second Amendment manufacturing rights.
The pattern continues: Democrats legislate, Republicans resist.
This Week in the High Country
Two counties freeze land use applications to rewrite decades-old rules. Eagle County approves $5.4 million in contracts as snowpack hits 26 percent of average. Creede advances cleanup of contaminated mining property. Salida votes 4-2 to ease short-term rental restrictions. Archuleta declines an $800,000 highway grant. Gunnison denies a $1.5 million tax reduction. Plus wildlife crossings, development codes, and pool plans across the corridor.
Across the State
Five people killed in an I-25 dust pileup the weather service warned about eight hours early. A judge ruled Colorado’s prisons violate the constitution’s slavery ban. Palantir — worth $312 billion — left the state without telling the governor. The new Supreme Court justice doesn’t appear in voter rolls. Democrats want to suspend the redistricting commission they built. Lake Powell heads for dead pool. And Tina Peters lost another bond bid. Full coverage inside.
Around the Nation
The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s emergency tariffs Friday. He signed new ones before the ink dried. The EPA doubled allowable mercury from coal plants. DHS authorized arresting refugees who can’t get green cards the government won’t process. HUD moved to evict mixed-status families from subsidized housing. And Britain blocked America from using its own base in the Indian Ocean. Full coverage inside
Worldwide
Iran’s nuclear deadline, two carrier strike groups, and a cemetery director who accidentally confirmed mass executions. Venezuela freed its political prisoners — except the ones who matter. The UN could go broke by July. Afghanistan shelters twenty terrorist groups. Nigeria’s Christians face 80 percent of global religious violence. And Peru’s new president showed up to his own trial. This week’s global roundup.
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