DENVER - Congress performs in the public (for the most part), but has a very private way to quietly assist those in the country illegally. You've heard the news that Colorado's two best known people living in the country illegally, are getting to stay longer. Jeanette Vizguerra and Arturo Hernandez were granted nearly two-year stays because of a little-known process that begins with a "private bill" in Congress. In March, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introduced a private bill "for the relief of... Read more

Sen. Michael Bennet is leading Colorado’s Democratic delegation to Washington calling for a special prosecutor into Russian connections to Donald Trump’s campaign last year. The calls came after the president’s firing of FBI director James Comey, allegedly for treating Hillary Clinton unfairly during last year’s campaign. As he did across the nation, Trump goaded chants of “lock her up” in Colorado on the campaign trail last year in regards to Clinton’s alleged handling of the classified e-mails... Read more

President Donald Trump defended his firing of FBI Director James Comey, asserting in a flurry of tweets Wednesday that Republicans and Democrats “will be thanking me.” Trump did not mention any effect the firing might have on the probe into contacts between his 2016 campaign and Russia. Instead, Trump tweeted that he’ll name a replacement “who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.” Nevertheless, Tuesday’s abrupt firing throws into question the future of the ... Read more

Colorado’s Republican members of Congress sat silent Tuesday after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been in charge of the investigation into whether Russia colluded with administration and campaign members to influence the U.S. election. The state’s Democrats all called for an independent investigator or commission to be appointed to continue the investigation, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from, then was part of the decision-making team that ... Read more

You’re fired. The two words that made Donald Trump famous on reality TV are now making him headlines as president of the United States after he abruptly canned FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday. The decision stunned Washington, especially because of the reason Trump gave: Comey’s handling of an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails wasn’t up to snuff. Comey, it should be noted, was also leading an investigation into whether Trump campaign and administration officials have or had ties to ... Read more

The first Public Lands Day for Colorado (or any other state in the nation) is coming up on May 20 with 95 events and special brews from Denver and Boulder to Grand Junction and Durango. The events get a preview Friday when the Nederland folk rock band Elephant Revival is leading a #TrailRevival in Boulder County with the band, and those who share stuff about Public Lands Day on social media could win tickets to the band’s show at Red Rocks Amphitheater on May 21. Here are the details about the c... Read more

Lakewood, Colo. – In early May, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) hosted the annual Congressional Art Competition and the Spring Awards Reception to recognize the achievements of students in the 7th Congressional District. “These are two of my favorite events every year,” said Perlmutter. “We have so many talented and accomplished students in our community, and I’m proud that I get to help honor their achievements.” This year’s Congressional Art Competition was the largest event since 2007, with a... Read more

“The timing of President Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey is concerning. Despite Attorney General Jeff Sessions vowing to recuse himself from all Russia-related investigations, President Trump acted on a recommendation from AG Sessions to remove Director Comey - the very person that was leading an investigation into Russian interference into the 2016 election and President Trump's ties to Russia. “This Administration cannot be trusted to handle any part of this investigation and... Read more

Serving marijuana ventures can prove to be risky business for banks, but new federal legislation sponsored by a Colorado Democrat who has his eye on the governorship seeks to remedy that. U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat from Arvada, introduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (SAFE Banking Act) last week, which would protect financial institutions serving marijuana businesses from federal government reprisal. Perlmutter is co-sponsoring the legislation with U.S. Reps Denny Heck, a... Read more

For many of us, funerals aren’t only about grieving, loss and remembrance but also about celebrating lives lived and, sometimes, even sharing a few laughs. Our thanks to Democratic insider Alan Salazar (nowadays, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s chief of staff) for sharing just such a mix of emotions from the funeral of Pueblo political Titan Ray Kogovsek, who died April 30. Here’s Salazar via Facebook: Some visual memories from the celebration of Ray Kogovsek’s life yesterday. Even in death, Ray ... Read more