Nick Coltrain

Politics reporter

Nick Coltrain

Nick Coltrain covers state politics for the Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2022 after covering the Iowa caucus and COVID-19 for the Des Moines Register and all things for the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Firearms instructor Ava Flanell, left, testifies against a gun regulation bill in the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Jan. 28, 2025. Flanell was picked to replace former Rep. Rose Pugliese, who resigned, but the vacancy committee's choice was invalidated over procedural problems. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Colorado secretary of state invalidates House vacancy election, requiring El Paso County GOP to hold redo

September 30, 2025 at 2:58 p.m.

El Paso County Republicans will need to redo a vacancy committee selection to replace former Minority Leader Rose Pugliese after an earlier attempt was found to fall afoul of procedural...

Rep. Shannon Bird listens during a Joint Budget Committee hearing at the Legislative Services Building in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

After Colorado weathered two big budget crunches, lawmakers expect the next to be 鈥榬eally, really difficult鈥�

September 27, 2025 at 6:54 a.m.

"We must always have a balanced budget ... but how do we do that in a way that's least harmful to the people in our state who expect that help?"...

Colorado lawmakers listen during a Joint Budget Committee hearing at the Legislative Services Building in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Economists warn Colorado lawmakers of more budget cuts looming — and higher recession risk

September 22, 2025 at 3:51 p.m.

"The pace of growth in the Medicaid budget is significant and driving a significant portion of the structural deficit" facing the state, budget director Mark Ferrandino said.

A voter places a ballot in the collection box at a drop-off location on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Washington Park in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Why Colorado will stay on sidelines as other blue states race to offset Texas’ gerrymandering of districts

September 21, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

If only Democratic-leaning states use independent redistricting commissions, "it's tying our hands behind our backs while the Republican party arms itself to the teeth," an activist says.

Colorado State Sen. Kevin Grantham, R-Canon ...

Former president of Colorado Senate announces run for state treasurer

September 16, 2025 at 2:05 p.m.

Former Colorado Senate President Kevin Grantham is the first Republican to announce for the state treasurer's race in 2026.

Signs for voters are posted at a ballot drop off location outside the Boulder County St. Vrain Community Hub in Longmont on Nov. 5. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

Unaffiliated voters claim outright majority of Colorado electorate

September 14, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

鈥淭here is no incentive anymore for a voter to register with a party,鈥� aside from personal identity, Colorado State University political science professor Kyle Saunders said.

Sen. Michael Bennet applaud a sponsor of a new state child tax credit during an event at Denver KinderCare in Denver on Friday, May 31, 2024. (Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage/The Denver Post)

Colorado voters curdle on top Democrats — including Gov. Polis and U.S. senators — amid party’s slide

September 8, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

"Although Colorado remains a blue state, the well-documented decline in the national Democratic Party's image rating and brand is real and apparent among Colorado voters," pollster says.

Should Colorado raise income taxes on the wealthy? Progressive groups pitch change in new ballot measure

September 3, 2025 at 4:35 p.m.

"We are handing our kids a mess, and we鈥檙e taking away all of the tools they will need to fix it," said one supporter of a coalition's ballot proposal for...

Customers look at AR-15-style rifles on a mostly empty display wall at Rainier Arms Friday, April 14, 2023, in Auburn, Washington, as stock dwindled ahead of potential legislation that would ban future sales of the weapons in that state. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Gun-rights group sues to stop ‘burdensome’ Colorado law requiring firearm training for many purchases

September 2, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

鈥淲ith top legal talent and the Constitution on our side, we are in a strong position to fight this unjust law," the Colorado State Shooting Association's leader said.

Colorado Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez speaks during a news conference on the west steps of the Capitol in Denver, on Aug. 20, 2025. Rodriguez joined others in supporting a bill on AI regulations ahead of the legislature's special session. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Colorado lawmakers hit a familiar wall — Big Tech’s influence — in effort to rewrite AI regulations

August 31, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

"I believe that the governor鈥檚 office, and the influence that the tech industry has over the governor's office, is a huge problem," said Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Denver Democrat.

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Nick Coltrain

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Colorado secretary of state invalidates House vacancy election, requiring El Paso County GOP to hold redo

After Colorado weathered two big budget crunches, lawmakers expect the next to be 鈥榬eally, really difficult鈥�

Economists warn Colorado lawmakers of more budget cuts looming — and higher recession risk

Why Colorado will stay on sidelines as other blue states race to offset Texas’ gerrymandering of districts

Former president of Colorado Senate announces run for state treasurer

Unaffiliated voters claim outright majority of Colorado electorate

Colorado voters curdle on top Democrats — including Gov. Polis and U.S. senators — amid party’s slide

Should Colorado raise income taxes on the wealthy? Progressive groups pitch change in new ballot measure

Gun-rights group sues to stop ‘burdensome’ Colorado law requiring firearm training for many purchases