Latest news with #GovPolis
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
$28 million pedestrian bridge in honor of Colorado's sesquicentennial clears its first hurdle
A controversial pedestrian bridge to celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday in Denver has cleared its first hurdle. via CBS The Capitol Building Advisory Committee agreed in an 8-4 vote to refer the project to the legislature's Capitol Development Committee. The walkway is expected to cost up to $28 million. It will stretch 11,000 square feet from the west steps of the Capitol, across Lincoln Street, to the far side of Veterans' Park, and it will incorporate works by local artists that highlight Colorado's history. Gov. Jared Polis plans to use discretionary federal dollars the state received during the COVID-19 pandemic to fund some of it. The rest will come from donations. Money is just one of the concerns opponents raised during a hearing before the advisory committee. "It's ugly and I hate it," said Sue Glasmacher, who wondered how many people would use the walkway. "Because it's twice the amount of time as going across the street. The distance is so much more." Maggie Shaver had a different take. "This project, it think, is beautiful," she said. Shaver, who is an educator, says the bridge will make crossing Lincoln much safer for school kids on field trips to the Capitol (buses park along Broadway). Shaver says it will also make the Capitol more accessible for those in wheelchairs. "As someone whose had to take kids through the back door because there isn't an accessible way to get into the building, it's slightly heartbreaking," Shaver said. The bridge has a snakelike design that its creators say not only avoids trees in the park but avoids a steep slope. Another supporter in a wheelchair said the design is intentionally inclusive of people like him. "I've been in this wheelchair for 44 years, and ramps have been the lifeline, the lifeblood of how I get back and forth," the public speaker said before the committee. "For me, I see nothing but positivity and a gain for this because you're including me intentionally." Opponents say there are other ways of improving accessibility. They say the project is unnecessary, impractical and "visual clutter" in an area designated as a national historic landmark. "The proposed overpass is a monstrous intrusion on both the Capitol grounds and Lincoln Park," Joseph Halpern said. Scott Holder also criticized the design. "If the city wanted a glorified skateboard path, I'm sure the theme park urbanists that control the decision making here could find funds for it," Holder said. Committee members also raised concerns about costs related to maintenance and security. Some worried the bridge would result in more problems for Colorado State Patrol as well, but, ultimately, they voted to move it forward. Committee Chair Lois Court -- a former state lawmaker -- said, "I have great faith in the people in this building to listen and to create a design that ultimately does what we will all be proud of." The project will now go before the legislature's Capitol Development Committee, which will decide whether to refer it to the full House and Senate for a vote. The city of Denver will also need to approve permits for it. The design team says it doesn't expect construction to start until next spring. It hopes to finish the walkway and art installation in time for Colorado's 150th birthday next summer.
CBS News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado officials react to assassination of Minnesota lawmaker and her husband
Government officials in Colorado and across the country have unilaterally condemned a shooting that claimed the life of Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. A second shooting wounded Democratic Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Hortman and her husband were shot and killed overnight in what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called a politically motivated shooting. Authorities said the suspect dressed in a manner to appear as a police officer and fatally shot them in their home before continuing to Hoffman's home, where they shot him and his wife, wounding them. A manhunt is underway for the suspect. (from left) Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman Minnesota Legislature The shootings have sent shock and sadness through the political community. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis released a statement condemning the shootings, saying, "Colorado stands with Minnesota, and our deepest sympathies go out to those impacted by what appears to be politically motivated attacks. Make no mistake, politically motivated violence, assassinations, and attempts on the lives of elected officials are not the America we know, hold dear, and love. We must continue to reject the divisive politics and rhetoric that have become too prevalent in our country. Those involved in this heinous crime should never see the light of day again, be fully prosecuted under the law, and Colorado is ready to offer any assistance to our friends in Minnesota." He and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt also released a joint statement from the bipartisan National Governors Association: "We are deeply saddened by the targeted political shootings that took place in Minnesota. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the people of Minnesota. As Chair and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association, we condemn political violence in all forms. These attacks are not just assaults on individuals; they are attacks on our communities and the very foundation of our democracy. Public servants should never fear for their lives for serving our communities. We stand united in urging federal, state, and local officials to swiftly investigate and bring those responsible to justice. We also call on all Americans to reject political hatred and violence, and to recommit to the values of civility, respect, and peaceful democratic discourse. Now more than ever, we must come together as one nation to ensure that our public square remains a place of debate, not danger." Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett asserted, "There is no place for political violence in a democracy," and thanked law enforcement for their immediate response. President Trump also issued a statement Saturday promising that the suspect will be brought to justice. "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!"
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kelly Loving Act signed into Colorado law
DENVER (KDVR) — The Kelly Loving Act was signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis, expanding legal protections for transgender people in Colorado. Known as House Bill 25-1312, the legislation passed through the Colorado House and Senate with bipartisan support after several amendments addressed concerns raised during the legislative process involving child custody decisions and protections for parents assisting their children in obtaining gender-affirming care. 'Kelly Loving Act': Colorado lawmakers push for more transgender protections The bill was named after a victim of the Club Q mass shooting in 2022. The bill approved measures, including: Anti-discrimination policies that consider intentionally misgendering or deadnaming someone as discriminatory acts under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act Educational policies that require schools to adopt policies regarding chosen names and dress codes Identification documents that allow people to change their gender marker on state-issued IDs without the need for a court order. The legislation came about after a survey of more than 500 transgender Coloradans found areas where transgender people still faced discrimination, harassment and abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado lawmakers debate transgender rights, rideshare regulation, deepfake porn in final hours of legislative session
As the final hours of legislative session loomed, Colorado lawmakers debated bills regarding transgender rights, rideshare regulation and deepfake porn. CBS House Bill 25-1312 regarding transgender rights passed the Colorado Senate Tuesday after hours of debate and significant revisions. The Colorado House needs to concur with the Senate amendments before the bill heads to the Gov. Jared Polis. The final version of HB 25-1312 requires schools to have gender neutral dress codes and to use transgender student preferred names if they allow nicknames. It also defines dead-naming -- referring to a transgender person by something other than their chosen name and pronoun -- a form of discrimination. Sponsors ultimately removed the most controversial provision of the transgender rights bill, which would have required courts to consider whether a parent is gender affirming when deciding child custody cases. The governor's office shared in a statement, "Governor Polis appreciates the work of the bill sponsors and all the advocates involved in the bill's progression, especially in removing the controversial changes to family law from the bill and will review the final version when it reaches his desk." A contentious bill regarding rideshares also underwent big changes in the final days after Uber threatened to leave the state. House Bill 25-1291 was brought by state Rep. Jenny Willford (Col-D) who says she was sexually assaulted by a Lyft driver. Under the measure, rideshare companies would have to do background checks on drivers every six months and review complaints within 7 days. But a provision mandating audiovisual recordings was made optional if both the driver and rider don't object. The bill is expected to pass the Senate Wednesday, and the House then needs to concur with the Senate amendments. The governor's office indicated Polis still has concerns with the bill saying, "Governor Polis is committed to making Colorado safer for everyone, including making sure ridesharing companies are keeping riders and drivers safe. He has shared concerns about privacy, conflicts with federal and existing state law, and the ability of the bill to be successfully implemented ... at this point there remain significant legal and policy concerns." The House took up Senate Bill 25-288 criminalizing intimate deepfakes in the final hours of the session. The measure makes it a crime to digitally alter pictures of real people to create fake nudes. Victims can also sue for up to $150,000 in damages. Some lawmakers tried and failed to strip a provision providing immunity for the platforms used to make the images. The bill passed the House, so it returned to the Senate and repassed there. The Colorado General Assembly adjourns Wednesday.
