COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
PERA wants help in 'closing the gap'
A Face the State Staff Report
August 18, 2009Trustees of Colorado's Public Employees' Retirement Association, the pension fund covering over 435,000 current and retired state and local government workers, are asking for help in closing a $17 billion gap in its balance sheet. That "unfunded actuarial liability" represents analysts' estimate of the difference between PERA's future assets compared to its obligation to pay benefits. The General Assembly this spring directed PERA to develop proposed law to address the shortfall, which has left the pension only 51% funded.
Vacancy committee to fill HD 51 seat tonight
August 13, 2009
By Don Knox
State Bill Colorado
At least five people, up from three last week, are vying for the Colorado House seat that Republican Don Marostica vacated when he was named the state’s top economic-development officer.
New coal plant equal to 2,000+ wind turbines
A Face the State Staff Report
August 13, 2009
As the Comanche unit 3 coal plant near Pueblo is scheduled to start commercial operation this fall, utilities are also seeking ways to comply with a 2004 ballot measure that requires 20 percent of the state's electricity to come from "renewable" sources. A Face The State analysis explores the relative power of Comanche versus two large wind and solar projects.
In Denver, Pelosi promises no deficit spending for health care
A Face the State Staff Report
August 6, 2009
Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was in Denver Thursday to tout congressional Democrats' health care and economic stimulus policies. Flanked by U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, and Jared Polis, D-Boulder, Pelosi argued for prompt passage of a universal health care plan when the Congress reconvenes next month.
Following injunction, Buescher halts Amd. 54 rulemaking
A Face the State Staff Report
August 6, 2009
In response to a July court ruling suspending enforcement of Amendment 54's political contribution ban, Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, a Democrat, terminated the rulemaking process aimed at establishing enforcement mechanisms under the measure. The court's injunction comes ahead of a full hearing on the amendment's constitutionality.
New institute mixes politics, policy
A Face the State Staff Report
August 5, 2009
A new, conservatively-aligned think tank is taking shape in Colorado, but few details are available about the forthcoming launch of the Colorado Policy Institute.
DeGette will host only one 'town hall' meeting - by phone
A Face the State Staff Report
August 4, 2009
Members of Congress leave Washington, D.C. for their home districts this week to begin a month long "work session" recess. With a health care reform package looming on the horizon, many U.S. Senators and Representatives are using the time in-district to meet with constituents and promote their position on the bill. A survey of Colorado's congressional delegation shows a wide variation in plans for the break, with one Representative planning seven in-person meetings with voters while another will hold only one "telephone town hall" this week.
Solar rays bend Denver's rules
A Face the State Staff Report
August 3, 2009Nearly a year has passed since a $13 million, 7.5 acre solar panel project was dedicated at Denver International Airport. A Face the State Investigation reveals a project marred by a lax bidding process, missing records, lack of oversight and and bureaucratic finger pointing for those shortfalls.
Following aborted raid, lawmakers take up Pinnacol's future
A Face the State Staff Report
August 3, 2009A legislative inquiry into the operations of Pinnacol Assurance, the state’s largest provider of workers compensation insurance, could be a launching point for changes to the laws governing health coverage for injured workers.
Aspen: Ballots are exempt from state open records law
A Face the State Staff Report
July 31, 2009Citizens seeking to conduct an independent review of Aspen's last municipal election have run into a road block at city hall, where officials are refusing to release key documents into the public domain.