Colorado Democrat Michael Baca, one of the so-called "Hamilton electors" who tried to derail Donald Trump's presidential win in the Electoral College, has signed on to a federal lawsuit charging Secretary of State Wayne Williams with voter intimidation because he wouldn't allow Baca to vote for someone other than the winner of Colorado's popular vote.
Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman is part of a broad coalition of attorneys general demanding information from opioid manufacturers and distributers as part of a multi-state investigation into the causes of the painkiller epidemic, her office said Tuesday.
National Football League Senior Vice President Lisa Friel, a former prosecutor who investigates charges of off-field misconduct by players, has endorsed prosecutor Michael Dougherty, one of five Democrats running for Colorado attorney general in next year's primary.
Former Secretary of State Bernie Buescher threw his support behind Democratic attorney general candidate Phil Weiser Thursday, calling the former University of Colorado law school dean a creative problem-solver with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Fifth-graders will join politicians at the state Capitol Friday to celebrate the U.S. Constitution and kickoff a statewide civics campaign.
The Denver-based Liberty Day Institute will lead the celebration of Constitution Day with a nonpartisan rally and the launch of a statewide civics education program. Constitution Day is the national recognition of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.
The institute’s proprietary character Jefferson Quincy Washington III Esq., along with Liberty Day President and CEO Jimmy Sengenberger will emcee the events in period attire at the Capitol, starting at 9 a.m.
“We are thrilled to host this unique rally on the Capitol steps in celebration of Constitution Day and as a message of the importance of civic education in schools,” Andy McKean, the Liberty Day Institute’s 1996 founder and president emeritus of the Liberty Day Institute. “Even more, I’m excited that this will be our official kickoff to a statewide initiative that will reach more than 50,000 fifth graders in the 2017-2018 school year.”
The Liberty Day Institute raised nearly $55,000, and counting, to distribute Constitution booklets, flashcards and other teaching materials thanks to grants from the Rotary, Optimist and Lions clubs, the Daniels Fund and others.
The day is a little politically one-sided, judging by the lineup of confirmed attendees, including Republican gubernatorial candidates George Brauchler, Doug Robinson, Steve Barlock and Greg Lopez, as well as state Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, who is a potential candidate for governor next year.
Secretary of State Wayne Williams and House Assistant Minority Leader Cole Wist, both Republicans, are also on the bill.
The Liberty Day Institute said officials from both major parties were invited to participate. Some declined, others had prior commitments. Elected officials who would like to participate are still welcome, but they should contact the organizers in advance.
“Democrats and Republicans alike have long supported the Institute’s nonpartisan civic education program, and we are so grateful for that support,” Sengenberger said in a media advisory.
Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo is seeking advice from conservatives as he weighs whether to join Colorado's crowded Republican primary for governor in next year's election. "Here we are, once again looking at this possibility, and I assure you it is, in my own mind, the possibility — the possibility of running for governor," said Tancredo at a meeting of the Arapahoe County Tea Party Tuesday night in Centennial.
Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said Wednesday she’ll appeal a federal court ruling that Colorado’s sex-offender registry is unconstitutional.
“As attorney general, protecting victims is one of the most critically important parts of my job,” Coffman said in a statement. “Colorado, its 49 sister states and the federal government all have sex-offender registry laws in place to inform the public and protect them from sexual offenders who have been found guilty of sexual crimes, including heinous crimes against children.
“Survivors of sexual assault are forever impacted by the trauma they have experienced, and we must never lose sight of the responsibility we have to prevent the victimization of more innocent people.”
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Matsch ruled this month that publicizing the crimes indefinitely amounts to additional punishment “inflicted not by the state but by their fellow citizens.” In his view, doing so violates the constitutional ban against “cruel and unusual punishment.”
The three plaintiffs in this case before Matsch are convicted sex offenders who committed sexual assault against minors, in one instance on a 3-year-old child, Coffman said Wednesday.
“I am surprised by the court’s decision and think the ruling contains several legal errors which we will now address on appeal,” Coffman said.
The ruling did not allow convicted sex offenders, including those in the lawsuit, to be automatically removed from the registry, which Colorado Bureau of Investigation continues to maintain.
Offenders’ names, addresses, photos and other identification based on offenders’ registrations with local law enforcement are posted on a state website. The lawsuit argued that the information makes it difficult for offenders to find jobs and housing, on top of the sentences they served that were handed down by the courts.
In addition routine visits by police and flyers posted on neighbors’ doors clearly identify them as registered sex offenders also imposes additional punishment, the lawsuit contends.
State Rep. Mike Foote, a prosecutor himself, is providing a notable early endorsement for Colorado attorney general candidate Michael Dougherty.
Foote is a well-regarded Democrat, a universally well-respected legislator and a deputy to Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett. There was an avalanche of high-level talk in the springtime about Foote’s viability as a candidate for AG. He played it down whenever Colorado Politics asked about it. Political ascendancy is still in Foote’s future, however.
“Michael Dougherty is a shining example of a leader within our criminal justice community and he will make an excellent Attorney General,” Foote said. “It is my pleasure to endorse him for the primary and general election.
“In addition to serving as a State Representative, I work as a prosecutor on behalf of the people of Boulder County and the state of Colorado. What I have learned from being a prosecutor helps guide me to be a more thoughtful and effective public servant. Our next attorney general likewise must be a champion for environmental protection and criminal justice reform. Michael Dougherty is the absolute right person for the job. I look forward to working alongside Michael when he is our next AG.”
Dougherty was grateful and equally complimentary.
“It is an honor to have the support of elected leaders in our state. Mike Foote is one of our great state representatives,” he stated. “Mike is an important leader for the Boulder community. I appreciate his fighting on behalf of our environment. I look forward to working with him during this campaign and as attorney general — to advocate for stronger environmental protections, criminal justice reform, and common-sense solutions to some of our most challenging issues in Colorado.”
Dougherty faces a crowded field on the Democratic side, and possibly on the Republican side in the general election, if incumbent AG Cynthia Coffman jumps into a crowded GOP primary for governor.
So far, the well-known Democratic adversaries include state Rep. Joe Salazar, former University of Colorado law school dean Phil Weiser, Denver attorney Brad Levin and federal prosecutor Amy Padden.
If former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo decides to jump into Colorado's Republican gubernatorial primary, there's one step he won't have to take. Tancredo changed his registration from unaffiliated to Republican two weeks ago "just in case," he told Colorado Politics, although he said he's still weighing whether to get in the race.
Ernest Luning
Joey Bunch