Latest news with #TheColoradoSun
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers take action after billionaire's massive property change causes major issues: 'Destructive obscene displays'
Lawmakers take action after billionaire's massive property change causes major issues: 'Destructive obscene displays' A ranch owner may have to take down a disruptive fence around their property, according to The Colorado Sun. Texas oil heir William Harrison erected roughly 20 miles of 8-foot-high fencing to keep unwelcome visitors from fishing, driving ATVs, dumping trash, and collecting antlers on his San Luis Valley property. He also has a herd of bison he needs to contain. Harrison purchased the ranch in 2017, when it was listed for $105 million. Environmental advocates have argued that the fence has disrupted migration patterns for local wildlife and produced greater soil erosion. Such barriers can even be lethal if they block retreat routes during a wildfire. Following a 2023 injunction on further fence construction by Harrison, Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently signed into law a new requirement for fencing construction in the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant area. An application to the local government is now required if the fence is more than 5 feet high, if the fence is more than a mile long and encloses a property, or if the fence is half a mile long but not enclosed. Human-made barriers can isolate wildlife from food sources and mating opportunities. Roads are typically the biggest culprit in this kind of habitat fragmentation, but solutions are available. Canadian elk and grizzly bears have been able to cross over a road thanks to a custom naturalized bridge. A similar bridge is under construction in Arizona. Meanwhile, a tunnel under a Vermont road has been able to reduce amphibian mortality in the area by 80%. When it comes to fences, there are a range of design options that can make them more wildlife-friendly, including low clearance and visual cues on top wires. Environmentalists maintain the new Colorado law is a win for local ecosystems in the face of wealthy landowners. "This will enable other counties to protect themselves from the destructive, obscene displays of wealth that the ultra-wealthy who are purchasing large mountain tracts in Colorado can engage in to separate themselves in their private sanctuaries from the regular people," said activist Joseph Quintana, per The Colorado Sun. Should the ultra-wealthy pay a tax to help offset their environmental impact? Absolutely Depends how they're taxed Only corporations should pay those No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Colorado gets new Trump portrait after he balked at last one
Colorado's Democratic lawmakers said Thursday they would temporarily replace a $11,000 portrait of President Trump in the state Capitol with a painting donated by the White House after he previously criticized the original artwork. Former state Sen. Lois Court (D), chair of the Colorado Capitol Building Advisory Committee, made the decision to decommission Sarah Boardman's portrait of the president following his outspoken criticism of the image. The new portrait created by Vanessa Horabuena of Tempe, Ariz., is 'currently being framed' Court told The Colorado Sun. Trump has requested that the painting be printed with a golden border so it would catch the light and 'glimmer,' The Guardian reported. The Colorado Capitol Building Advisory Committee is expected to discuss which Trump portrait will permanently hang in the Capitol by September. 'Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol … was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before,' Trump wrote about Boardman's painting in a March post on Truth Social. 'In any event, I would much prefer not having a picture than having this one,' he added. After his comments, state Republicans urged leaders to remove the painting, which Colorado's former senate president Kevin Grantham (R) raised thousands to commission for 'tourists, visitors, and Colorado history buffs' to enjoy. Boardman, who painted former President Obama's portrait in the Capitol, said her painting of Trump is historically neutral. 'My portrait of President Trump has been called thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting. In five, 10, 15, 20 years, he will be another president on the wall who is only historical background and he needs to look neutral,' she told Art News. The image was unveiled in 2019 and Boardman says she has since faced financial repercussions due to the president's criticism, according to The Colorado Sun.
Newsweek
01-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Colorado Officials Issue Warning Over Medicaid Cuts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Colorado lawmakers are preparing for the possibility of an additional legislative session amid the looming threat of potential Medicaid funding cuts. State officials and health care leaders have been sounding alarms in recent weeks about the potential impact if House Republicans make reductions to Medicaid, which their budget seemed to propose as part of its wider economic decisions. Why It Matters Medicaid, which provides health coverage to almost 80 million low-income Americans, faces potential reductions nationwide as Congressional Republicans push for budget cuts. Proposals under discussion include reducing federal support for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, imposing work requirements for some adult beneficiaries, and closing mechanisms that allow states to draw down extra federal funds through provider taxes. According to Reuters, these changes could result in millions losing coverage, with about 600,000 potentially affected by work requirements alone, and shift significant financial responsibility to state governments. File photo: protestors holding a Medicaid sign. File photo: protestors holding a Medicaid sign. Andrea Renault/STRMX via AP What To Know Governor Polis' budget director, Mark Ferrandino, warned this week that Colorado could see up to $1 billion in cuts to federal Medicaid funding, according to the local news outlet The Colorado Sun. Speaking to health care leaders, Ferrandino said that the state would not replace the lost federal dollars. With the state's Medicaid agency operating on an $18 billion budget — more than $10 billion of which comes from federal funds — the possible reductions would represent a roughly 10 percent loss in federal support. Ferrandino noted that Colorado contributes about $5 billion from its general fund to Medicaid, making it the largest general fund expenditure. He added that tight fiscal conditions make additional state spending unlikely. "It is going to be a more difficult budget," Ferrandino said, adding that lawmakers had already pushed some budget challenges into next year. The Joint Budget Committee, which handles budget matters for the legislature, is already preparing for hard decisions. State Senator Judy Amabile, a Democrat and committee member, also acknowledged the likelihood of a return to the Capitol later this year, according to The Colorado Sun. "There certainly are a lot of indicators that would suggest that we might end up having to come back in the event that there's a dramatic cut to Medicaid," Senator Amabile said. The projected cuts in Colorado have prompted urgent action from local officials. Earlier this month, Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation opposing the proposed reductions. The cuts, they argued, could result in the loss of 12,000 jobs, a $1.3 billion decrease in state GDP, and $82 million less in state and local tax revenue. "Children, hardworking individuals, people with disabilities, seniors, and safety net providers are not political pawns or talking points," they wrote. What People Are Saying Colorado Governor Jared Polis' budget director Mark Ferrandino said: "Just to be clear to everyone, if that's the cut, we are not backfilling, which means we have to make cuts both in Medicaid and other places in the state budget to deal with it." Michelle Mills, CEO of the Colorado Rural Health Center, said in the statement: "Cutting funding that has been a cornerstone supporting the rural health care delivery system for decades is both short sighted and profoundly damaging. Every dollar of federal funding invested in rural healthcare is an investment in thriving communities." Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican from a swing district in Adams and Weld counties, defended the proposed cuts, saying: "We're going back to cutting out the fraud, waste and abuse that actually preserves the program by making sure that we can get more resources to the people who are actually lawful beneficiaries of it." What Happens Next As uncertainty looms, state officials are bracing for difficult decisions. Ferrandino said that without knowing exactly where the federal cuts will land, specific plans for Medicaid reductions have yet to be formed.
American Military News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
New gun law bans some semiautomatic guns in Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) signed a law on Thursday that will ban the manufacture of certain semiautomatic firearms and prevent Colorado residents from purchasing them without a permit and firearm training. According to a summary of the new legislation, SB25-003 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and purchase of a 'specified semiautomatic firearm.' The legislation 'defines a 'specified semiautomatic firearm' as a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.' The law 'prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing a specified semiautomatic firearm; except that a person may transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm to an individual residing in another state or a federally licensed firearm dealer.' According to a press release by the Colorado House Democrats, the law will begin to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and purchase of semiautomatic firearms with detachable ammunition magazines in August of 2026. The Colorado Sun reported that the new law will ban AR-15 rifles, AK-47 rifles, tactical shotguns, and a limited number of handguns. The outlet noted that the prohibited weapons under the new law would only be authorized for purchase if the ammunition magazines were permanently fixed to the firearms and were not capable of holding more than 15 rounds. READ MORE: Supreme Court rules against 'ghost guns,' upholds Biden gun control restrictions According to The Colorado Sun, Colorado's new firearm law will also prohibit bump stocks, which can allow semiautomatic firearms to fire at a similar speed to automatic firearms. Prior to signing the law last week, Polis said, 'I really think this will make Colorado safer,' according to The Colorado Sun. According to The Post Millennial, the banned firearms will still be legal for use by military personnel, law enforcement members, armored vehicle companies, and correctional officers throughout the state. The outlet noted that gunsmiths will also be permitted to repair the semiautomatic firearms. The Post Millennial reported that Colorado residents will also be able to apply for a 'firearms safety course eligibility card.' Residents will be required to pass a background check conducted by county sheriffs, who will decide whether a person is a potential security risk. If a resident is approved for a 'firearms safety course eligibility card,' they will be required to complete a training course and pass a written test, according to The Post Millennial.
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Gas Pumps Could Soon Get Climate Change Warnings in Colorado
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Colorado may soon become the first state in the U.S. to require climate change warning labels on gasoline pumps, a legislative move that has received backing from environmental advocates and resistance from the fossil fuel industry. Why It Matters Colorado has already set ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. Colorado could now become the first state in the nation to require retailers to warn consumers that burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming. A man walks to his vehicle after pumping gas at a Shell station on April 10, 2025 in Miami, Florida. A man walks to his vehicle after pumping gas at a Shell station on April 10, 2025 in Miami, To Know A bill known as House Bill 1277 passed narrowly through the Colorado House earlier this month as reported by Capital & Main and The Colorado Sun. If enacted, the law would mandate that all fuel retailers place labels on pumps warning consumers that burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and global warming. The warnings, similar in concept to cigarette package labels, would be displayed in English and Spanish, using at least 16-point black text on a white background in clearly visible locations. Store owners could face fines of up to $20,000 per violation if they fail to maintain the warning labels, although an amendment would reportedly allow a 45-day grace period to address any issues. Environmental groups including the Sierra Club and 350 Colorado support the bill. Advocates point to similar programs in cities like Cambridge, Massachusetts, and countries like Sweden, where such warnings have reportedly influenced consumer attitudes and behaviors. There is industry opposition to the measure, however. Representatives and gas station owners argue that the bill amounts to shaming consumers and warn it could lead to higher fuel prices. What People Are Saying State Representative Junie Joseph, a sponsor of the bill said, as reported by The Colorado Sun: "The bill, as you've heard, seeks to drive systemic change and to help us meet our greenhouse gas emission goals." Joseph added: "Colorado is actively working to reduce emissions to comply with the Clean Air Act and state climate targets." Angie Howes, a lobbyist representing Kum & Go, which owns Maverik convenience stores, said at a committee hearing, as reported by The Colorado Sun: "The gas pump itself is already cluttered with words, numbers, prices, colors, buttons and payment mechanisms... "The message will likely be lost in the noise and we question the impact of such a label toward the proponents' goals." A spokesperson for Colorado Governor Jared Polis told Capital & Main: "Governor Polis is skeptical of labeling requirements and will review any legislation that reaches his desk." What Happens Next Whether the proposals in the bill will become Colorado law remains to be seen.
