Denver Archbishop Chaput: In video game ruling, court ignored lesson of Columbine

Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has weighed in on the recent Supreme Court decision (pdf) that struck down a law banning the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. His arguments in favor of restricting the availability of video games echo his views on gay marriage and civil unions. Government should step in, he says, and bar gay marriage and restrict violent video game availability based on the “common sense” threats they pose. In opening an essay on the topic, Chaput references the 1999 Columbine school shootings.

Keeping the dream alive, this weekend Denver celebrates Martin Luther King Day

As the Martin Luther King holiday unfolds in Denver, it is important to remember that it is more than a day off, more that an extra ski day.

Today, we bring you first a statement by Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak. Then, we have video of the entire Martin Luther King “I have a dream” speech, that is followed by a much shorter video of an excerpt from the speech, in case you don’t have time for the whole thing.

Hickenlooper predicts Biennial of Americas may bring in $30 million

DENVER – Mayor John Hickenlooper told the Colorado Independent that the Biennial of the Americas may generate as much as $30 million in additional spending in the city. The month-long celebration, which kicked off July 1, will host artists, speakers,…

Gardner, Markey courting rural CD4 voters with Denver cash

In the political rhetoric of the sprawling, overwhelmingly rural Fourth Congressional District in Colorado, Denver seems to get about as much respect as does Washington, which is to say not a lot. Democrat Betsy Markey is running for reelection in this swing district as an independent-minded loyal local, a Fort Collins gal. Her opponent, Republican Yuma state Rep. Cory Gardner, plays down the time he spends at the Capitol in Denver as much as he does his career history as a lawyer. He talks instead about Yuma and working to sell tractors with his father and grandfather.

When Markey and Gardner want to raise cash, though, its not their own district that brings in the bucks. Like pretty much every other politician in Colorado, the real dollars come from Denver.

VIDEO: Immigration reform protesters arrested in Denver

“Obama, remember we vote in November!” chanted the crowd marching for federal immigration policy reform in Downtown Denver Tuesday. Fourteen reform activists were arrested in an act of civil disobedience in front of the federal court house.

The crowd…

Denver HIV-positive man charged with using spit as deadly weapon

An HIV positive Denver man has been preliminarily charged with second-degree Assault with a Deadly Weapon by the Denver district attorney’s office for allegedly spitting on another man during a dispute. A spokesperson for the DA’s office said staffers are currently examining the case to determine whether the charge is appropriate.

Palin gives nothing to Norton in Denver

DENVER– In a highly anticipated speech here coming the night of the Republican state assemblies, tea party star Sarah Palin rallied a crowd of 6,000 conservative Coloradans that included a raft of state Republican politicians at the University of Denver’s Magness arena. She railed against President Obama and heaped praise on Ronald Reagan– and said nothing at all about the heated race for U.S. Senate that has pitted Weld County D.A. Ken Buck against former Lt Governor Jane Norton.

Senate chamber invaded by high school Zombie drummers

Zombie drummers from Northglenn High School rattled the Colorado Senate chamber Monday. Troupe members decked in black robes and white face performed an excerpt from their show “Dead Beats: Drums of the Dead,” pounding out beats between operatic interludes sung…

Colorado’s new informed-consent bill celebrated as tool to fight racial profiling

DENVER– On Monday lawmakers and civil rights activists celebrated Governor Bill Ritter signing into law the so-called informed consent bill, which requires police to tell people they have a right to refuse to be searched during interaction with authorities. Although the bill drew rare bipartisan support in the fractious legislature this session, supporters were concerned that Ritter, a long-time tough District Attorney loath to dilute law enforcement power, might veto the bill. He didn’t, which was cause for celebration.

Amid immigration tensions, Hickenlooper looks to bolster ties to Latin America

DENVER– Amid the heated and highly focused national debate on immigration reform and border security, Denver Mayor and candidate for governor John Hickenlooper is seeking to present a broader view on the matter. At an event in Denver last week toasting the Biennial of the Americas Celebration, a month-long series of events scheduled for July, Hickenlooper emphasized the benefits that have accrued to the United States and Colorado through immigration and stated his aim to promote Colorado as a site for international travel and trade.