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.

Gov. Jared Polis at a news conference to address his administration鈥檚 new 鈥淎 Healthy Colorado For All鈥� initiative at the Governor鈥檚 Residence in Denver on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He also took questions from the press in relation to his commutation of Tina Peters' sentence. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis’ first vetoes of year include social media warrants bill, video game transaction fees

May 29, 2026 at 3:05 p.m.

A gamer himself, Gov. Jared Polis wrote that a rejected fee would've affected content that "represents digital storytelling and artistic expression, and I do not support such a fee."

Sarah Tuneberg, part of Colorado's COVID-19 ...

Colorado lays off 173 workers in state IT office as part of shakeup, but plans more hiring

May 27, 2026 at 5:59 p.m.

Gov. Jared Polis' office announced the leadership shakeup on Wednesday afternoon but did not directly acknowledge the 173 employees being laid off.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivers remarks prior to boarding a passenger train from Union Station in Denver to Longmont during an inspection and demonstration trip of the Front Range Passenger Rail corridor on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis signs bills overhauling RTD board, changing Front Range Passenger Rail District

May 27, 2026 at 10:38 a.m.

The Regional Transportation District抖阴ap board and the geographic footprint of the Front Range Passenger Rail District will both shrink under a pair of bills signed into law Tuesday by Gov....

Victor Marx speaks before accepting his nomination for the primary ballot for governor during the Colorado Republican State Assembly on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Massari Arena on the Colorado State University Pueblo campus in Pueblo, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Victor Marx might be leading the GOP race for Colorado governor. But he’s skipping most debates.

August 11, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

Spokespeople for Republican candidates Barbara Kirkmeyer and Scott Bottoms said they had not shared a stage with Victor Marx for a forum or debate since at least the very early...

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference on the new 鈥淗ealthy Colorado For All鈥� initiative in the Governor鈥檚 Residence at the Boettcher Mansion in Denver on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He also took questions from the media about his recent commutation of Tina Peters' prison sentence. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis brushes off party’s censure over Tina Peters clemency, saying he’s ‘really proud to be a Democrat’

May 21, 2026 at 6:53 p.m.

鈥淢arlon and the kids were thrilled because they thought it meant I鈥檇 be home earlier because, instead of going to three events a night, they thought I鈥檇 be going to...

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivers his final State of the State address in the House chamber at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Polis used his final annual speech to highlight achievements made on housing, education and transportation, among other issues. Behind Polis is House Speaker Julie McCluskie. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Colorado Democrats officially censure Gov. Jared Polis for Tina Peters clemency

May 21, 2026 at 8:38 a.m.

More than 700 people signed onto a complaint accusing Gov. Jared Polis of "conduct detrimental" to the Democratic Party for easing election denier Tina Peters' prison sentence.

Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk and recorder, speaks during a debate between candidates for the Colorado Republican Party chair position on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Hudson, Colorado. Peters was later convicted and sentenced for an election data-breach scheme, and last week Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Gov. Jared Polis faces possible rebuke by party for Tina Peters clemency — as JD Vance says she may qualify for payout

May 19, 2026 at 8:12 p.m.

Hundreds of Colorado Democratic elected officials, volunteers and voters have asked the state party to formally censure Gov. Jared Polis over his decision to commute Tina Peters' prison term.

Gov. Jared Polis unveils his budget proposal for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

‘Gov. Polis’ legacy’? Colorado officials blast Tina Peters sentence reduction, resulting in release soon

May 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Elected officials from across Colorado largely ripped into Gov. Jared Polis' Friday decision to dramatically accelerate the release of Tina Peters, accusing him of caving to President Donald Trump.

Candidate Tina Peters speaks during a ...

Gov. Jared Polis reduces Tina Peters’ sentence, says she will be released June 1

May 15, 2026 at 5:27 p.m.

Gov. Jared Polis said that "just because somebody believes the Earth is flat -- just because somebody believes in conspiracy theories -- does not mean that they should receive a...

Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a post-legislative news conference at the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Dire Colorado budget, business wins and veto threats mark Gov. Jared Polis’ final legislative session

May 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The final legislative session of Gov. Jared Polis鈥� tenure was marked by another budget deficit, predictions he鈥檒l set a personal record for vetoes, and lawmakers openly sitting on bills for...

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