Welcome back to The Spot, where The Denver Post’s politics team captures what’s happening this week — from the Colorado legislature to Denver city hall, with a stop through the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C.
We are just days away from this year’s primary elections,and it feels a bit like the world is about to implode.
Maybe that’s just because I’m bleary-eyed from our two nights of governor’s race debates earlier this week, or maybe it’s the mountain of campaign newsthat keeps growing by the minute. That towering peak comes despite what’s looking to be a low turnout for the June 26 contests (there’s still time to vote!).
Beyond the campaign craziness, Denver and Aurora could soon be a lot quieter as the airport train’s hornsdays are now numbered, Denverites will likely have an easier time getting tipsy at the city’s parks in the not-so-distant future and those Lime scooters are going bye-bye (for now).
The Trump administration’s () policy of separating immigrants crossing into the U.S. illegally from their children created a uproar in Colorado across the political spectrum — from our congressional delegation to theGOP candidates for governor.
A lot more has happened, but you’re just going to have to read the awesome newsletter below to find out about it.
Fresh news:President Donald Trump has chosen Colorado’s next U.S. attorney, and it’s Republican Denver attorney Jason Dunn. What will that mean for marijuana and immigration enforcement?
ROLL CALL
COLORADO: THE STATEHOUSE & BEYOND
- Money, money, money— money. Money? Money. That’s what the state revenue forecast sees in Colorado’s future
- GOP gubernatorial candidate Victor Mitchell believes in the “deep state,” in part based on his own experiences with the criminal justice system.
- Hundreds of Colorado’s unaffiliated voters are nullifying their votes by turning in primary ballots for both parties.
- Voter turnout thus far has been really low,with less than a week before primary Election Day.
- Big changes have been made to Colorado’s campaign finance complaint process.
- In an extraordinary move, Gov. John Hickenlooper endorsed Phil Weiser in the Democratic primary race for Colorado attorney general.
- Here’s who is running for Colorado attorney general.
- Gov. Hickenlooper signed an executive order barring state resources from being used to separate immigrants coming to U.S. illegally from their kids. It’s an action that has more bark than bite.
- Under another Hickenlooper order,Colorado will adopt California-style low-emission vehicle standards.
- The University of Colorado may drop the word “liberal” from the university’s pledge of a “liberal education.”
- Colorado’s unemployment decreased as tourism-related hiring drove job gains in May.
- Colorado governor’s race fundraising remains on course to shatter records.
- U.S. Rep.Jared Polis traded commodities in Moscow at age 17. Here’swhat that and other ventures say about his millions in the Colorado governor’s race.
Denver Post/Denver 7 governor’s race debates
The Denver Post’s politics team joined forced with Denver7 to host gubernatorial debates earlier this week in what represented the candidates’ final face-off ahead of next week’s primary election. You can watch the debates/read our recaps below. (Here’s who is running for governor.)
- The Democratic candidates for governor continued their bickering over who is running the cleanest campaign and went in-depth on oil and gas drilling.
- The Republicans running for governor made it clear they are big fans of Donald Trump — but not necessarily all of his policies and actions.
DENVER & THE SUBURBS
- Lime’s scooters will be removed from Denver’s streets for the next two weeks.
- Glug, glug. It looks like the days of enjoying full-strength beer and wine in Denver’s parks is coming soon.🍺🍺🍺
- “An impromptu protest from anti-fracking activists on the floor of Lafayette’s City Council meeting Tuesday forced officials to abruptly adjourn.”
- Boulder’s city council made changes to its ban on assault weapons.
- Lafayette’s efforts to condemn land in neighboring Erie were stymied once again last week, when the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that the Boulder County city tried to use its eminent domain powers to stop commercial development in Erie.
- The day thousands of Denver and Aurora residents have been waiting for is now in full view — the end of incessant train horn noise along the University of Colorado A-Line.
D.C. POLITICS FROM A COLORADO PERSPECTIVE
- Denver was a finalist for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but withdrew its bid because of “major commitments that cannot be moved.”
- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s nephew was struck and killed by a train.
This is a very sad situation. My family and I are deeply grateful for all your thoughts and prayers. As a family, we have decided to handle this as a private matter and appreciate your support.
— Ed Perlmutter (@RepPerlmutter)
- America needs to modernize and beef up its defensive presence in outer space but probably not in the way President Donald Trump envisions, according to one CU professor.
- U.S. Rep. Diana Degette is heading to the U.S.-Mexico border.
- U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was among the Senate Republicans who called out Trumpover his immigrant separation policy (, maybe).
- It can dispense nearly 20,000 gallons of water or retardant on a single pass, but the Global Supertanker has been sitting on the ground this entire year not fighting fires. The big reason: It doesn’t have a contract with the U.S. Forest Service.
THE WIRE
- “Perplexing,” is how this article puts it. Did U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, by supporting a conservative immigration bill? — CNN
- Your in Denver could be going up to prevent a 911 backlog. — Denverite
- Michael Bloomberg isn’t just spending big on the Colorado governor’s race. He’s in a big way for the congressional midterms, too. — The New York Times
- The city of Denver says local cannabis bus tours . — 9News
- Who did Gov. John Hickenlooper ? (Don’t expect a satisfactory answer. We’ve never gotten one.) — 9News
- A Weld County commissioner is , and both sides are gearing up for a fight. — The Greeley Tribune
- Denver’s City Council members and mayor’s office employees could pricey airline tickets they receive from city personnel or agencies. — The Colorado Independent
- Bush has become a in the GOP race for Colorado governor.— NBC News
- “Airlines ask the government separated children on their planes.” — CNN
- How water is in Greeley, Fort Collins and all of northern Colorado. — KUNC
- A look at to U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn’s reign in the 5th Congressional District. — Colorado Public Radio
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How I'm feeling after two nights of debate coverage and a week on the copy editing shift:
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
What I'm anticipating over the next week:
— Jesse Aaron Paul ☀ (@JesseAPaul)
Staff writers John Frank, Mark K. Matthews and John Aguilar contributed to this newsletter.