Greg Lopez selected to be Rep. Buck's likely replacement

A Colorado Republican panel made a surprising decision Thursday night, choosing a former mayor, Greg Lopez, to be U.S. Rep. Ken Buck's likely replacement until the November general election.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbhM9eMW3WU

Several Anti-Sportsmen Bills on the Move – Action Needed

Not an April fool’s joke, on Monday, April 1, the Colorado House Finance Committee is scheduled to hear HB24-1349, adding another 11% excise tax on the sale of all firearms, firearms, accessories, and ammunition. This type of tax, also known as a “sin” tax is levied on specific goods believed to be harmful to society. And gun control advocates are not shy about blaming sportsmen and gun owners for the state’s gun violence issues.

HB24-1349 levies an 11% excise tax on the gross taxable sales of firearms dealers, firearms manufacturers, and ammunition vendors from the retail sale in the state of any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition and requires the excise tax revenue to be spent for crime victim support services, gun violence prevention, safe and lawful gun use, and enhancement of school safety. If passed, HB24-1349 will be placed on this year’s general election ballot in November.

As we all know, dealers will have no choice but to add the 11% sin tax onto our purchase of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition, forcing law-abiding sportsmen to foot the bill for the violent acts of criminals.

Please use the Take Action button to email the committee members and urge them to vote “no” on HB24-1349. The committee needs to hear the opposition from the sportsmen community, letting them know we are not the problem. And HB24-1349 will do nothing to address the root cause of Colorado’s gun violence: criminals not respecting human life or the laws.

https://sportsmensalliance.org/news/several-anti-sportsmen-bills-on-the-move-action-needed/

Bill proposing new merchant code for firearm purchases heads to House for final vote

Two Colorado gun reform bills passed out of committee concerning changes at the point of sale for firearms. One of the bills would create a state-level firearms dealership permit to sell guns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnA21nMnMGY

Radical Democrats in Denver are trying to prevent us from protecting children.

Let Kids Be Kids, our ballot initiative in Colorado to prevent radical gender surgery on minor Children, sailed through Title Board with a unanimous vote.

Now, a leftwing law firm has filed a challenge to our initiative because Democrats want to perform these surgeries on more Colorado kids. These procedures should never be performed on children, and we need your help to stop them once and for all!

Please come support us April 3rd at the Secretary of State's Office. We will go before he Title Board again, to answer to the left's nonsensical challenge of our ballot initiative. The radical leftists who continue to call this initiative "anti-LGBTQ" have a weak, strawman argument. As I told 9News, ""Asking a child to wait to undergo a drastic and life-alerting gender transition is not anti-LGBTQ+ it's pro-child it's pro common sense."

MORE: https://mailchi.mp/cologop.org/trumpscotusrecap-165408

The Firearms Coalition of Colorado

03-29-2024 Legislative Alert

(Bills listed by Number. Please mark your calendar. Only urgent bills listed.)


HB24-1292, Semi-auto Ban, Reps. Hernandez, and Epps, et. al., no Sen. sponsor. Bill bans manufacturing, importation, sale or transfer of many semi-auto long guns and pistols. Bill passed 03-19-2024 in House Judiciary. Up on Second Reading in House ASAP. Oppose.

HB24-1348, Secure Firearm Storage in a Vehicle, Reps. Velasco and Garcia, Sens. Jaques Lewis, and Fields. The bill requires locked storage of a firearm in an unattended vehicle in a case out of sight. This bill will make it hard to safely carry concealed. Bill passed House on 03-25-2024. Now goes to the Senate. We oppose the bill.

HB24-1349, Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax, Reps. Duran, Lindstedt, No Senate sponsor. This November ballot measure levies an 11% tax on guns, ammo, and firearm "precursor parts,” in addition to the 11% Pittman-Robertson Federal tax. Bill rescheduled in House Finance at 1:30 pm on Monday, 04-01-2024 in House Committee Room 0112. We oppose this bill.

HB24-1353, Firearms Dealer Requirements and Permit, Reps. Sirota and Bosenecker, Sen. Bridges. The bill adds a redundant state layer of bureaucracy and complexity to current federal rules and regulations. Bill passed House Business Affairs Committee 03-27-2024. Up on Second Reading in House. Oppose.

SB24-003, Authority of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to Investigate Illegal Activity Involving Firearms, Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Froelich. Bill creates a state gun police force. The bill is up at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, 04-10-2024 in House Judiciary in House Committee Room 0107. We oppose this bill.
SB24-066, Requirement that Certain Businesses with Relationships with Firearms Merchants Use the Appropriate Merchant Category Code, Sen. Sullivan, Rep. Froelich. This measure flags credit card transactions with local gun dealers. Passed House Business Affairs Committee on 03-27-2024. Up in House on Second Reading. Oppose.

SB24-131, Prohibit Carrying Firearms in Sensitive Places, Sens. Jaquez-Lewis and Kolker, Reps. Brown, Lindsay, and Froelich. This bill bans concealed carry on college campuses. Passed Senate Judiciary on 03-27-2024. Up on Seconds in Senate. Oppose.

To reach your Senator, call: 303-866-2316. To reach your Representative, call: 303-866-2904. You can locate your elected officials on the State Web Site at: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator.

Follow us at: https://groups.io/g/gunissues. (You must sign on to join this group.)

The Firearms Coalition of Colorado is an NRA Grassroots Affiliate. Our all-volunteer organization depends on memberships and the generosity of Second Amendment Supporters. Please join or contribute. Individual memberships are still $25 per year. Send check or money order to:

The Firearms Coalition of Colorado, PO Box 1454, Englewood, CO 80150-1454.

Letters: Population growth is driving housing prices up in Colorado and pushing locals out

Steve Pomerance’s excellent coverage of Colorado’s shortage of affordable housing and its related problems is clearly on target regarding population growth and affordable housing.

Due to population growth, I don’t believe that using taxpayer money to build affordable housing is a sustainable solution to what has become a long-standing problem. On the contrary, Colorado’s shortage of affordable housing is symptomatic of the far more pressing problem of the vast income inequalities created by relatively affluent newcomers moving into economically poor rural areas. This influx of affluent people has the unintended effect of economically displacing long-time residents whose family incomes and retirements pale in comparison.

Case in point: I recently helped a disabled neighbor who was months away from losing his home due to a projected 100% increase in his home property taxes and insurance payments. Thanks to Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskey and local officials, this situation has been remedied for the time being.

For those who believe that real estate inflation is a boon to Colorado’s economy, the rest of us aren’t reading from the same page. Trying to stay financially afloat in a community afflicted by rapidly inflating home values has become an exercise in futility for residents who have spent their lives living and working in rural Colorado.

In response to Steve Pomerance’s well-written article, when the big money comes in, the little money has to get out. End of story.

Gary E. Goms, Buena Vista

https://www.denverpost.com/2024/03/28/letters-affordable-housing-shortage-jena-griswold-gop/

Colorado bill would limit hard liquor sales to liquor stores

DENVER (KDVR) — Should hard liquor and spirits only be sold at liquor stores? That’s what one bill at the Colorado Capitol is proposing, among other things, in an effort to help alcohol retailers.

Some opponents said the proposal would reverse current law and go against ballot initiatives voters passed to get beer and wine on Colorado shelves in recent years.

Sponsors of the bill say liquor is too easily available, and the accessibility is putting a burden on small businesses. Opponents say Colorado voters already decided on the matter.

“We have joined together in opposition to House Bill 1373, an antibusiness, anticonsumer, job-killing bill, brought forward by the largest liquor stores in the state,” said Angie Howes of the Colorado Retail Council.

Retailers, unions and former representatives from the Liquor Enforcement Division raised concerns about the new bill, which also would require grocery stores to sell wine and beer in one area of the store instead of throughout the store.

“In a grocery store, you can only sell in one area of the store — that’s actually the rule — but they get approval from their local government about where they can put it,” said state Rep. Judy Amabile, a sponsor of the bill. “Then they add these end caps, and that wasn’t really the intent of the voters, I don’t think. The bill just says let’s put it back the way people thought it was going to be.”

It would also limit the alcohol content of the drinks sold at grocery stores to 14% or less.

“In the ballot measure, it said that grocery stores and convenience stores can carry wine and beer. With them carrying wine and beer, it did not say hard alcohol,” said state Rep. Naquetta Ricks, another sponsor of the measure. “What we are looking to do is basically carry out what the voters intended with the ballot measures and ensure that spirits are sold by the small liquor stores.”

https://kdvr.com/news/politics/colorado-bill-would-limit-hard-liquor-sales-to-liquor-stores/

Denver commits $2M to the Basic Income Project

The Denver Basic Income Project will continue handing out direct cash payments through July with help from city funding.

The program will receive $2 million in funding, after City Council approved a contract agreement between the city and the project on Tuesday.

The funding contract stems from councilmembers pushing the Mayor’s office to add the project to the 2024 budget. Councilmembers originally asked for $4 million and the Mayor’s office committed to half of the request.

The program began handing out direct cash payments to those experiencing homelessness in November 2022. Since then, the program has spent about $6.8 million, giving more than 800 people cash payments ranging from $50 to $1,000 per month. The payments come with no spending restrictions or requirements, a change from typical government support programs.

https://denverite.com/2024/03/26/denver-commits-2m-to-the-basic-income-project/

Ep. 73 - Schools Encourage Kids To Lie

Have you ever considered how your favorite hobby might be racist? Lori Gimelshteyn's eighth grade son was asked this question in a school assignment. How would you react and how should he answer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2l9UMQVzoA

Denver City Council bans sugary drinks from restaurants’ kids meal menus

The Denver City Council on Tuesday approved a new law requiring restaurants that sell combo meals for children to list only milk, water or milk substitutes like almond milk as the default drink options in those meals.

Sweet beverages like soda, juice and flavored milk can still be provided by request, but by July 1, 2025, every restaurant in Denver — from fast food chains to independent diners — will have to adjust their menus to remove those as listed options for kids meals if they offer them.

The legislation zeroes in on curbing the health risks of sugary drinks, Councilman Chris Hinds, one of the bill’s sponsors, said in brief comments ahead of Tuesday’s vote. The ordinance passes unanimously as part of the council’s consent agenda.

https://www.denverpost.com/2024/03/26/denver-city-council-soda-ban-kids-meals-restaurants/

UCHealth reports half a billion dollars in uncompensated care in 2023

UCHealth provided more than half a billion dollars’ worth of uncompensated care in fiscal year 2023, and representatives for the health care system on Tuesday said they expect to spend even more this year.

Three factors increased uncompensated care: increased migration to the Denver area, Medicaid unwinding following the COVID-19 public health emergency, and a new state law that allows people with incomes less than 250% of the poverty line to apply for financial aid, said Tom Gronow, president and CEO of the health system’s University of Colorado Hospital. Coloradans had some right to apply for financial assistance before the 2021 law passed, but hospitals varied in how they handled discounted care.

The hospital in Aurora provided the largest share of UCHealth’s uncompensated care, accounting for about $237 million of the $580 million total between July 2022 and June 2023. Uncompensated care increased systemwide by about $24 million compared to the previous fiscal year, UCHealth said.

The health system’s fiscal year 2023 budget was about $6.9 billion.

https://www.denverpost.com/2024/03/27/uchealth-uncompensated-care-2023-university-colorado-hospital/

Should I Ditch the Pot Shop, and Go Underground?

Dear Stoner: I've had a hard time finding consistently good dispensary weed that isn't $300 an ounce. My neighbor just showed me his home grow, and the plants were impressive. Should I ditch the pot shop and buy underground?
Amir

Dear Amir: Hey, $300 an ounce for top-tier stuff isn't terrible if you never have to worry about the quality. Even the best commercial growers send out duds every once in a while, though. Underground growers do, too, but you might have more choice or sway with them, especially if you're friends. And if Mr. Neighbor is showing you his secret garden, then you guys must be friendly enough. Still, just because plants look nice as they're blooming doesn't mean they'll have the same aroma and bud structure when the pot reaches you.

Drying and curing play huge roles in the final product, and then there's all of the contaminant testing your neighbor isn't doing. Still, it doesn't take a botanist to realize that smaller operations usually give more attention and care to individual plants, and underground and hobby growers can grow some amazing stuff. Give your neighbor a test run, but don't walk away from the dispensary forever, either. Having options is good.

https://www.westword.com/marijuana/should-i-ditch-the-dispensary-buy-weed-underground-20154806

New Study Reveals THC Potency Inflation in Colorado Weed

A majority of cannabis flower products purchased at licensed retail pot shops in Colorado contained less THC than indicated on the label, according to a study performed by a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. The study showed that THC levels indicated on the label of approximately 70% of products tested were at least 15% higher than those reported by a third-party lab after purchase.

The research was conducted by Anna Schwabe, an associate lecture professor of modern cannabis science at the University of Colorado Boulder. To complete the study, Scwabe collected 23 cannabis flower samples from 10 licensed dispensaries located across the northern Colorado Front Range, which includes the cities of Denver, Fort Collins and Garden City.

The samples represented 12 different cannabis strains including sativas, indicas and hybrids, with different THC potency levels reported on the product packaging. Some THC potency levels were reported as a range from 12.8%-19.3% on the lower end and 28.07%-31.28% on the higher limit, while others were reported as a single value such as 16.4% or 17.4%.

https://hightimes.com/study/new-study-reveals-thc-potency-inflation-in-colorado-weed/

Parker citizens’ initiative to cut grocery tax underway, town staff investigate impacts

The Committee of Parker Citizens for Fair Taxes, including Mayor Jeff Toborg, is pushing to eliminate the town’s sales tax on groceries, saying that it is regressive and costly. As Toborg advocates for the measure, he steps aside as mayor and says he is acting as a private citizen.

The committee is looking to collect 7,500 signatures from registered voters in the town by the end of June. That would be a buffer – more than the 6,820 valid signatures needed – to put the question of repealing the tax to voters on the ballot in November.

“This should be the citizens of Parker deciding how they want to be taxed,” Toborg told the Parker Chronicle.

He added the effort would “modernize” the Parker Tax Code by eliminating local sales taxes on grocery items in several categories: food for home consumption, feminine hygiene products and diapers.

“It really does come down to a moral issue: Do you want to tax these necessities?” said Toborg. “We don’t tax pharmaceuticals for this exact reason.”

https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2024/03/27/parker-citizens-initiative-to-cut-grocery-tax-underway-town-staff-investigate-impacts/

Appeals court clarifies water conservancy districts must follow TABOR

Colorado's second-highest court clarified last week that water conservancy districts must seek voter approval pursuant to the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or TABOR, before increasing their tax rates.

Previously, a Logan County judge believed the law creating water conservancy districts, which existed prior to voters' enactment of TABOR in 1992, mandated district boards to set tax rates within a fluctuating range based on their budgetary needs. Based on that established "formula," he concluded districts may raise their rates within the range without a popular vote.

Incorrect, responded a three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals.

"TABOR clearly requires any tax policy change of a district that results or would result in a net tax revenue gain to 'have voter approval in advance,'" wrote Judge Robert D. Hawthorne in the March 21 opinion.

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/courts/appeals-court-clarifies-water-conservancy-districts-must-follow-tabor/article_87fee7ae-ec47-11ee-be29-234c4d4fdbe8.html

Lawmakers considering different bills affecting charter schools in Colorado

Colorado lawmakers are once again considering changes to charter schools this legislative session, but unlike in past years, there’s now one big bill calling for a comprehensive list of changes that critics say will weaken charter schools.

Under the bill, charter schools, which are publicly funded but independently run, could have to pay more to use buildings owned by school districts. School districts would be allowed to keep more of the per-student funding for charters, and they would have more control over decisions to close the schools.

Lawmakers backing the bill say it’s needed to hold charter schools accountable. But charter school supporters have called the bill “harmful.”

A separate bill seeks to pave the way for more charter schools to get local funding for construction projects.

The issues addressed in the new comprehensive bill aren’t new concerns for critics of charter schools, but this may be the first time they’re all addressed in a single bill. It may be a sign of growing division on the merits of charter schools.

https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2024/03/27/colorado-charter-school-proposed-bill-changes/

What's inside Colorado's $41B budget bill for fiscal year 2024-25

A $420 increase in per-pupil spending, a key legislative priority that brings the individual total to $8,496.
$229 million to increase state employee pay 3% across the board and add 3.7% bonuses for longevity, amounting to the largest increase in at least a decade.
A 3% tuition increase for Colorado residents at public colleges and universities and a 4% hike for out-of-state students.
$56 million to cover a shortfall in the Proposition FF program to provide free lunches to all students

https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/03/27/colorado-state-budget-bill-2024-2025

Baltimore's bridge collapse expected to disrupt Colorado's car industry

Threat level: "If you're driving a Hyundai or you're driving a Toyota, it's probably not going to impact you too much. But if you drive a Porsche or Audi, you're going to see a slowdown" if you need a repair, Colorado Auto Dealers Association CEO and president Matthew Groves tells us.

https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/03/27/baltimore-bridge-collapse-colorado-car-industry-disruptions

Colorado lawmakers propose $2 billion budget hike

Colorado lawmakers are proposing to spend $40.6 billion in the next fiscal year — $2 billion more than last year — driven by bigger allocations for health care, a significant expansion in the state's workforce and more money for schools seeing increased enrollment of immigrant students.

Lawmakers began tackling the spending proposal on Wednesday, with the House Appropriations Committee reviewing House Bill 1430 and its accompanying measures.

The House then broke into caucuses to discuss the budget and lawmakers' proposed amendments with each caucus's Joint Budget Committee members. The budget bill will then head to the House floor for debate on Thursday, with a final vote expected on Monday.

Once the budget bill clears the House, the process is repeated in the Senate, with the the budget committee removing House amendments to start. Once the bill clears the Senate, the budget committee will consider amendments from both chambers to create a consensus bill. Should the budget head to the governor before the end of April, which is likely, Gov. Jared Polis will have 10 days to sign it.

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-lawmakers-propose-2-billion-budget-hike/article_086aa578-ebac-11ee-900d-53a0d9832c62.html

Colorado launches a $450 e-bike rebate for everyone. So why aren’t many bike shops participating?

Colorado is set to launch a statewide e-bike tax credit on April 1, offering every resident a $450 point-of-sale discount off the purchase of a battery-powered bicycle.

The statewide program marks one of the country’s most ambitious efforts to cut climate-warming emissions using taxpayer-funded e-bike discounts. There’s just one major problem: Most major retailers have yet to sign up to participate.

A list assembled by the Colorado Energy Office shows only 24 bike sellers are guaranteed to honor the rebates. That means residents could struggle to redeem the discount at local bike shops and major online retailers after the program launches next week.

Like other shop managers, MacKenzie Hardt, the owner of Hardt Family Cyclery in Aurora, won’t participate due to the state’s reimbursement plan. The program currently requires a retailer to front the cost of the rebate, which it can’t recover until filing its 2024 taxes. Hardt said that’s an unreasonable delay given his business’ small margins and limited cash flow.

“I have to be able to support myself, my family and my one employee,” Hardt told CPR News. “This program doesn’t allow for that, which is really unfortunate.”

https://www.the-journal.com/articles/colorado-launches-a-450-e-bike-rebate-for-everyone-so-why-arent-many-bike-shops-participating/

10 States Still Tax Social Security Benefits. Is Yours One of Them?

1. Colorado

Social Security benefits are fully deductible on state tax returns for beneficiaries ages 65 and older. But Colorado only allows residents ages 55 to 64 to deduct $20,000 of retirement income, so Social Security benefits above this amount may be taxable at the state level.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/Motley%20Fool/25139014/10-states-still-tax-social-security-benefits-is-yours-one-of-them/