Tag: Wes Mckinley

The economy and the environment “both won” in Colorado's legislative session this year, according to an annual scorecard that a leading state environmental group released Thursday.

As part of the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, officials from the U.S. Air Force and Clovis’s Cannon Air Force Base held another public hearing last night in Las Vegas about its plans for low-altitude tactical navigation (LATN) training flights over southeast Colorado and eastern New Mexico. As has been the case at other meetings held over the past year, more opponents than supporters showed up. But for the first time, one of the plan’s legislative doubters made an appearance.

It is rare that this many politicians agree on anything, but in Colorado most seem to agree that it is wiser not to comment on Occupy Wall Street/Occupy Denver.

HB 1205, allowing individuals to carry concealed handguns without a permit passed the House today 40-25, but not before members got a history lesson from Rep. Wes McKinnley, D-Walsh.

Republican freshman State Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, and State Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, have introduced a bill that would allow concealed gun toting on grade-school grounds, among other places, without a concealed weapons permit.

State Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, says the timing of his bill meant to clean up lobbying practices at the state Capitol is purely coincidental and not related to recent ethics allegations or any one case in particular. Steadman says Senate Bill 87 stems from the 15 years he spent as a lobbyist and his inside knowledge of best practices.

DENVER-- A complex bill apparently intended to strengthen animal protections in Colorado inspired contradictory interpretations and sparked a storm of protest this week. Sponsored by self-proclaimed cowboy and animal lover, Walsh Democratic Representative Wes McKinley, the bill sought mostly to set up new animal control rules and stiffen requirements for animal control personnel. Although detractors agreed with many of the bill's provisions, they said in remaking some of the rules, particularly those concerning impounding homeless dogs, the bill would end up in steep and unnecessary increases in euthanasia. A push to amend the bill failed. HB 1124 (pdf) was put down on a second reading in the House Friday afternoon.

Perennial media favorite State Rep. Douglas Bruce and Secretary of State Mike Coffman vie for "Miss December" honors in Colorado Ethics Watch's 2008 round...