New bill would compel secretary of state to check voter rolls for non-citizens

The Secretary of State will periodically check voter banks for non-citizens if Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, gets his way in the House. Partnering with Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, to introduce the bill, HB 1149 would accomplish similar goals as Harvey’s recently defeated bill that would have required proof of citizenship before registering to vote. The bill includes considerable modifications that could serve to defuse some traditional arguments against the this type of legislation.

The race to succeed Wadhams: A contest of God, guns and guts

In the wake of Dick Wadhams’ exit from GOP leadership, a shootout is erupting over the soul of the state Republican Party. Wadhams this week said he is done with the political sniping – particularly from Tea Party and 9-12 sectors – and is not seeking a third term as party chair.

Dick Wadhams calls it quits

Declaring that he would have won, but just didn’t want to put up with all the second-guessing and back-stabbing, Colorado GOP Chair Dick Wadhams today told Fox 31 he is not running for another term.

Morse, Harvey and others debate legacy of Ronald Reagan and pass resolution in his honor

The state senate late last week had some fun debating the legacy of former President Ronald Reagan. Had an amendment by Senate Majority Leader John Morse passed Friday, President Ronald Reagan would have been honored by the Senate not only for his achievements in helping to bring down the communist wall, but also for bringing amnesty to 1.7 million undocumented immigrants, tax increases to the State of California and for closing corporate tax loopholes.

Coloradans rally for immigrant tuition bill

During a rally Wednesday, Democratic sponsors of a bill allowing undocumented high-school students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities framed their comments around economic prosperity in hopes of garnering Republican support.

Dems quash Colorado voter-registration bill, call it costly and unconstitutional

State Democratic lawmakers killed a bill (pdf) yesterday that would have required Coloradans to provide proof of citizenship before registering to vote, saying it was a solution in search of a problem and eschewing vehement testimony from its supporters and new data introduced by new GOP Secretary of State Scott Gessler. Bill sponsor Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, said lawmakers should expect the legislation to be reintroduced in the House.

Harvey promises to fight on with voter registration bill

Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, told The Colorado Independent today that if his bill to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote dies in committee today, it will find new life in the House.

Colorado voter registration bill is a solution in search of a problem, critics say

Colorado Senator Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, told the Colorado Independent Tuesday that a bill requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote would protect the integrity of one of Colorado’s most sacred systems. Others disagreed.

Ritter shoots down farm-truck bill on environmental, financial grounds

Gov. Bill Ritter Monday vetoed his first bill of the 2010 legislative session, shooting down House Bill 1101 (pdf), which would have removed the current requirement that county clerks thoroughly vet anyone seeking a farm vehicle registration.

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Colorado Republican senators argue against expanding maternity coverage

DENVER– State Senate Republicans today opposed a bill that aims to require insurance companies to provide individual-market plans that include maternity and contraception coverage. The bill passed a second reading with the support of Senate Democrats, but Republicans said it would drive up insurance rates and swell the ranks of the uninsured. One senator made an anti-abortion argument against the bill and one argued against it for personal financial reasons.