Chaput in Philly shutters schools, pays millions in sex-abuse defense

As Denver welcomes new Catholic Archbishop Samuel Aquila, more bad fiscal news breaks from the Philadelphia archdiocese now run by former Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput. In a report released Tuesday, the Philadelphia archdiocese revealed it doled out $11 million over the last two years defending priests against criminal charges mostly concerning sexual abuse.

Study documents economic muscle of Colorado River

The Colorado River provides much of the West with drinking water, water for crops and even water for fracking. In the end, though, it may be the non-consumptive use of recreation that is the river’s most important economic contribution to Colorado and the region.

Supreme Court hears Arizona immigration case today

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on the legality of four provisions contained in Arizona’s immigration enforcement law. Analysts on both side of this issue say the court’s eventual decision will affect the future of state immigration laws across the U.S.

Labor leaders to Obama: Push Columbia harder to stem violence

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, and Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers, have called on President Obama to not certify the Colombia Free Trade Agreement during the sixth Summit of the Americas that will take place this weekend in Cartagena, Colombia.

Women continue to face workplace challenges and discrimination

African-American and Latina women, who now make up an important part of the U.S. workforce, face higher rates of poverty and unemployment than white and Asian working women.

The U.S. Department of Labor wrote Thursday: “On the same day last week that she announced that the economy created another 121,000 jobs in March, and that the unemployment rate ticked down, Secretary [Hilda] Solis joined President Obama at a White House event focused on ‘Women and the Economy.’”

Medical marijuana coalition asks U.S. Attorney Walsh to back off

A coalition of 11 medical marijuana patient and business advocacy organizations – including the United Food and Commercial Workers Union – today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney John Walsh in response to Walsh’s call for the closure of 25 state-licensed medical marijuana businesses.

Immigration battle heats up as it heads for Supreme Court

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments about Arizona’s immigration enforcement-only law on April 25, immigrant advocates, civil rights activists and other organization have issued documents and filed briefs opposing the state’s law.

Senate committee passes bill to stop pre-employment credit checks

Monday evening the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 3, the Employment Opportunity Act, sponsored by Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora. The Act prohibits pre-employment credit checks that some companies use to screen candidates. Sponsors of the bill say such credit checks can prevent people with low credit scores from finding employment. The bill passed 4-3 on a party line vote.

Democrats promote Colorado jobs bill in advance of first committee hearing

DENVER — Democratic legislative leaders touted a bill at the state Capitol on Monday afternoon that would give firms a bidding edge for using Colorado workers.

Flanked by carpenters, electricians, telecom workers and unemployed residents, state Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminter,…

Wasserman Schultz and local Dems rip Romney on eve of caucuses

With Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum all in Colorado Monday to campaign in advance of Tuesday’s caucuses, Democrats brought in a big gun of their own. National Democratic Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, R-Florida, participated in conference calls with reporters on Friday and again on Monday.