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.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell holds a press conference outside the Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse in Denver on June 2, 2025. A jury trial began Monday in U.S. District Court in a defamation case against Lindell brought by former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer over claims Lindell made about fraud in the 2020 presidential election. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Defamation trial starts in Denver over 2020 election claims, pitting ex-Dominion executive against MyPillow CEO

July 8, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

A voting systems industry player's defamation trial against MyPillow CEO and prominent election denier Mike Lindell began in Denver Monday with jury selection. It's expected to last two weeks.

In this Sept. 27, 2017, photo, kratom capsules are displayed in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Esch, File)

Gov. Jared Polis signs new kratom regulations after behind-the-scenes fight on policy

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

In a signing statement, Gov. Jared Polis wrote that he supports people making their own choices 鈥� but emphasized the need for people to be able to make informed choices.

Gov. Jared Polis listens as Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera speaks during a news conference at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Polis signed both SB25-129 and SB25-183, both abortion-related bills, into law. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have banned algorithm that White House said drove up Denver rents

May 30, 2025 at 6:46 a.m.

Investigators say the software enables price fixing, which the Biden White House said costs Denver tenants $1,600 in additional rent each year.

FILE - In this May 28, 2021, photo, the morning sun shines on the State Capitol shines in downtown Denver. On the last day of their 2022 session, Colorado's Democratic-led Legislature scrambled Wednesday, May 11, 2022, to pass key bills on election security, attack the fentanyl crisis and promote more affordable housing after overcoming a stonewalling effort by House minority Republicans that put dozens of bills in limbo with just hours to go. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Colorado’s struggling low-income health care centers to get boost under new law

May 29, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

The new law, Senate Bill 290, will take a $60 million, interest-free loan from the state's unclaimed property trust fund to create the provider stabilization fund.

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet speaks during press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

At town hall, Bennet faces protests over Israel’s attacks in Gaza

May 29, 2025 at 11:20 a.m.

A string of protestors against Israel's assault on Palestinians in Gaza disrupted U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's town hall at the University of Denver on Wednesday, leading to several ejections from...

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs Senate Bill 45 into law while supporters and sponsors watch from behind during a bill signing for bills SB25-130 and SB25-045 at the Governor's Mansion on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. SB-45 requires the Colorado School of Public Health to create a report on model legislation for universal, publicly financed health care in Colorado. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)

Colorado increases penalties for wage theft under bill signed by Gov. Jared Polis

May 23, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

House Bill 1001 also increases the amount of money employees can recoup from successful wage theft claims to $13,000 from $7,500.

In this photo illustration, capsules of the drug Kratom are seen on May 10, 2016 in Miami, Florida.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Colorado legislators tightened regulation of the herbal remedy kratom. But will Gov. Jared Polis veto the bill?

May 23, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Supporters of Senate Bill 72 say the new law would help rein in the most dangerous forms of kratom, while leaving consumer choice intact.

Rep. Shannon Bird speaks during the General Assembly at the Colorado State Capitol Building on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

State Rep. Shannon Bird, budget committee vice chair, joins race against U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans

May 20, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Rep. Shannon Bird, vice chair of the powerful Joint Budget Committee in the state legislature, is the third Democrat to announce their bid for the congressional seat.

Truck driver Mike Segelke tightens up chains on his semi-truck at a chain-up station along westbound I-70 at Georgetown January 10, 2017. The Colorado Department of Transportation closed down I-70 westbound from Georgetown to Silverthorne due to avalanche reduction work. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

New Colorado law allows tire-chain help by vendors along highways

May 16, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Colorado drivers will soon be able to hire people to install tire chains on their cars or commercial trucks before crossing mountain passes in winter weather.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis hands a pen used for a signature to Rep. Andrew Boesenecker after signing Senate Bill 45 into law during a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Denver. SB-45 requires the Colorado School of Public Health to create a report on model legislation for universal, publicly financed health care in Colorado. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis signs laws ordering universal health care study, emergency abortion protections

June 10, 2025 at 5:55 p.m.

Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday signed a pair of health care bills that will enshrine federal protections for emergency care in state law and potentially start Colorado down the path...

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Nick Coltrain

All Stories

Defamation trial starts in Denver over 2020 election claims, pitting ex-Dominion executive against MyPillow CEO

Gov. Jared Polis signs new kratom regulations after behind-the-scenes fight on policy

Gov. Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have banned algorithm that White House said drove up Denver rents

Colorado’s struggling low-income health care centers to get boost under new law

At town hall, Bennet faces protests over Israel’s attacks in Gaza

Colorado increases penalties for wage theft under bill signed by Gov. Jared Polis

Colorado legislators tightened regulation of the herbal remedy kratom. But will Gov. Jared Polis veto the bill?

State Rep. Shannon Bird, budget committee vice chair, joins race against U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans

New Colorado law allows tire-chain help by vendors along highways

Gov. Jared Polis signs laws ordering universal health care study, emergency abortion protections