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Capitol Dispatch

Dean Williams, the new director of Colorado's Department of Corrections, tours the Centennial South prison for the first time on July 19, 2019. The prison can fit more than 900 people and could be used if the state prison population gets too high. But Williams says he's committed to a "philosophical" shift that, in theory, promises to limit that population growth. (Photo by Alex Burness)

Colorado’s prison population was projected to balloon. Now analysts aren’t so sure. Said one:...

Colorado’s methods of projecting how many inmates will fill its correctional facilities long have been flawed, leading to overcounts that can cost taxpayers and...

Colorado’s criminal justice system has a mental health crisis. Will the state change its...

Officials agree that growing numbers of people with mental health disorders in Colorado’s criminal justice system is a crisis.  But, in a hearing this week...

Colorado vaccine skeptics heartened by ‘pro-choice’ Jared Polis The state ranks last in the...

When Gov. Jared Polis told reporters last week that he’s “pro-choice” on vaccines, “that was music to my ears,” said Philip Silberman. Silberman, the leader...

Capitol Review: Lawmakers expanded voter access, took aim at dark money

Editor’s note: The Indy is publishing a series of stories reviewing the 2019 legislative session in Colorado. Here, we focus on voting and elections....

Capitol Review: Criminal justice reforms address prison overcrowding, economic inequities

Editor’s note: The Indy is publishing a series of stories reviewing the 2019 legislative session in Colorado. Here, we focus on criminal justice. Other...
Condemning the federal government's practice of separating immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, about 200 attended a rally east of City Park on Thursday evening in Denver. Similar rallies were held on Thursday in Pueblo and Aurora.

Capitol review: 4 key immigrant bills passed, but a big one failed

Editor's note: The Indy is publishing a series of short stories reviewing the 2019 legislative session in Colorado. Here, we focus on immigration. We...
Democratic Senate President Leroy Garcia, left, and GOP Minority Leader Chris Holbert chat on Thursday, May 2 — the second-to-last day of the 2019 legislative session. (Photo by Alex Burness)

GOP hardball in Colorado Statehouse has Dems vowing to get tough — and organized...

It’s a shame, Colorado Republican lawmakers are saying this week, that Democrats have been so unwilling to work across the aisle this legislative session. Had...

Bail, jail reforms promise relief for Colorado’s poorest

Colorado took a first step this week toward reforming a cash bail system that burdens the state’s poorest defendants. House Bill 1225, which eliminates cash...

Colorado could restore voting rights to 9,000 felons this year County clerks and secretary...

Colorado isn’t planning to let people vote from prison any time soon, but about 9,000 convicted felons could win back their right to vote...

Where’s Leroy Garcia? Supporters of Colorado’s Senate president tout his hands-off leadership. Others say...

When one of your first jobs involves collecting several dead bodies every day for six months in the 110-degree heat of an Iraqi war...