Even though the legislative session ended in May, the Capitol rumor mill is still churning out gossip. The latest buzz is that Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo, is considering a move to nearby state Senate District 2 in anticipation of a 2010 bid.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: Colorado Elections
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McInnis files campaign committee, launches Web site
A Face the State Staff Report
July 2, 2009Former Congressman and 2010 GOP gubernatorial hopeful Scott McInnis filed paperwork Tuesday to form a campaign committee, clearing the way for him to raise and spend money in support of his candidacy.
Legislative musical chairs
July 1, 2009Lucero's $700/hr sprint to midnight
June 30, 2009
Today marks the end of the 2nd quarter, and candidates for political office are scrambling to bring in last minute cash to pump up their July campaign finance reports. Among them is Tom Lucero, a CU Regent and one of two announced GOP contenders in the 4th congressional district. In an e-mail sent at 4:30 this afternoon, Lucero is getting aggressive with his fundraising, albeit a little late in the day.
Markey says she reads bills before voting, but how could she?
June 29, 2009
Freshman U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey claims to read bills prior to voting in Congress, but it's unlikely she had the time to do so before voting for federal "cap and trade" energy legislation Friday.
Brian Walsh, NRCC political director, on the GOP's chances v. Betsy Markey
FTS visits with Brian Walsh, political director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, on the GOP's chances of unseating freshman Democrat Rep. Betsy Markey in 2010.
Play audio - 12:59 minutes
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Markey, Salazar down to the wire on 'cap and trade'
June 26, 2009Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, had harsh words for U.S. Reps. Betsy Markey and John Salazar, who have been silent about whether they support the “Cap and Trade” proposal, which will be voted on in Congress today.
“It’s time for these two gutless Democrats to take a side for Colorado families and small business by opposing ‘Cap and Tax’ job losses, higher taxes and higher energy costs,” Wadhams said in a release Thursday afternoon.
6/24: Marostica says fixing Amd. 23, Gallagher come first
Don Marostica is back in the news, but this time he's defending taxpayer protections.
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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Marostica: hands off TABOR; focus on Amd. 23, Gallagher
June 17, 2009
Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, found himself on the outs with his own party last session for siding with Democrats on key budget issues and his sponsorship of Senate Bill 228, which eliminated the 6 percent growth cap on general government spending.
Face The State recently caught up with Marostica, who was appointed to serve on the legislature's Long-Term Fiscal Interim Committee.
Political newbies, veterans rub elbows at 'Liberty on the Rocks'
June 16, 2009
Face The State was on hand for Monday's west suburban meeting of Liberty on the Rocks, a growing group of activists who meet twice a month to talk all things libertarian. Joining the usual cadre of local rabble rousers were quite a few elected officials, and plenty more who fancy themselves joining their ranks.
2010 El Paso Commissioner race set for 5-way GOP primary
A Face the State Staff Report
June 16, 2009As Colorado Republicans prepare for vigorous U.S. Senate and gubernatorial primaries in 2010, El Paso County Republicans have developed a crowded field of their own. Five Republicans have already announced in the race for El Paso County Commissioner District 5, currently held by the term-limited Jim Bensberg.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 3/15/09 - More on special districts; Ritter consultants embarrassed
From the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver for a look at state politics. Nobody can say how many local governments plan special elections this year, and that poses a problem for good-government watchdogs. Plus, the Ritter re-election campaign suffers an embarrassing episode as staffers are caught praising their client on political blogs.
Play audio - 13:25 minutes
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Whatever happened to Ali Hasan?
June 12, 2009In January, we spoke to former state House candidate Ali Hasan, a Republican from Beaver Creek, about his potential bid for state Treasurer. But he's fallen off the political radar in recent months.
FTS on 1310 KFKA: Info on special districts difficult to get
How many local governments will hold elections this year? There's no way to know without calling all 64 Colorado counties directly. Voters within Colorado's 3,200 various local governments face a tough time getting information about the elections and officials in their area. FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with KFKA morning hosts Trevor Carey and George Gray to discuss.
Play audio - 5:32 minutes
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Q: How many local elections will be held this year? A: Nobody knows
A Face the State Staff Report
June 11, 2009Many of Colorado's over 3,200 local governments, from cities to water districts, will place a host of issues before voters this November. Residents of the state's nearly 2,000 special districts face an especially difficult time learning what will appear on their local ballot, and they may not even be aware these governments exist. Complicating matters, the state office overseeing local government issues is unaware of elections in advance, and officials only learn of elections after the polls have closed and votes are tallied.
Rumor mill: Hick not alone in turning down Ritter primary
June 10, 2009The Denver Post reported this morning that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper refuses to primary Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010. But sources tell Face The State Hizzoner Hick isn't the only Democrat who has been courted for a primary challenge.
Former Denver radio host considers run for 7th CD
A Face the State Staff Report
June 10, 20092010 may be the year of the political newcomer. Little-known Republican challengers lack name ID, but many are pushing forward with campaigns armed with a heavy dose of ambition. The GOP slate for next year's general election is filling with new faces including U.S. Senate candidate Cleve Tidwell, gubernatorial hopeful Dan Maes and 7th congressional candidate Brian Campbell. The latter may may now be joined by former radio host turned humanitarian activist Jimmy Lakey, who is being "drafted" for a challenge against Democrat Congressman Ed Perlmutter.
McInnis ramps up, but can't raise or spend money without committee
June 10, 2009Last month, Former Congressman Scott McInnis quietly filed paperwork declaring himself a candidate for Colorado Governor in 2010. Despite filing, McInnis has not set up a campaign committee with state elections officials nor created a Web site, two tasks normally a priority for new candidates. Without a committee, McInnis is prohibited under state law from accepting contributions or spending money to promote his bid for office.
Mock election aims to boost small business voice in politics
A Face the State Staff Report
June 9, 2009
Your local elementary school isn't alone in holding a mock election to make a point about our representative democracy. In an effort to educate business owners and their employees about state and national politics, the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce is hosting a mock election in conjunction with a speaker series featuring local elected officials.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 6/8/09 - More fallout from SB 180; the crusading John Morse
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver. Will union interests fracture over Gov. Bill Ritter's 2010 re-election? And is state Sen. John Morse getting a little over-eager in his fight for Colorado's budgetary "soul"?
Play audio - 15:42 minutes
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Bennet failing to establish distinct voice in Washington
June 8, 2009Last month, Colorado U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall sent out a total of nine joint press releases, a sign of teamwork or dependency, depending on your perspective. Former U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard, a Republican, and Ken Salazar, a Democrat, sent out the occasional joint press release, but they were nowhere on par with Bennet and Udall’s shared communications.
Segment 3 - State Rep. Ellen Roberts announces for State Senate
Face The State interviews state Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, who announced this week a bid for state Senate District 6.
Play audio - 10:07 minutes
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6/5: No love between unions, Ritter
Will big labor stand to back Gov. Bill Ritter for re-election?
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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Rep. Roberts launches state Senate bid
A Face the State Staff Report
June 4, 2009
State Rep. Ellen Robets, R-Durango, launched a campaign for Senate District 6 Thursday.
The district covers the southwest corner of Colorado, and Roberts already represents about half of the Senate district in the state House. SD 6 is one of the geographically largest districts in the state and covers eight counties: Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel.
On the campaign trail: 'Tweeting' city hall
June 2, 2009
Regular readers of Face The State know we're big fans of the short-message social networking site Twitter, and the many Colorado political movers and shakers who "tweet" their thoughts to the world. But as candidate Barack Obama's legions of Internet-savvy supporters demonstrated, Twitter can also be a powerful tool on the campaign trail. Longmont city council candidate Katie Witt is testing that theory on a more local level: she'll be all a-Twitter as she sits in on tonight's business at city hall.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 6/1/09
FTS visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver for an extended update on state politics. Up this week: U.S. Senate hopeful Cleve Tidwell and Democrat incumbent Michael Bennet have very different campaign styles - and Bennet's brings in a heck of a lot more campaign cash. Gov. Bill Ritter faces some tough choices on legislation before Friday, and CU socks students with a new, $70 "Forever Buffs" fee.
Play audio - 30:03 minutes
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Political cartoon for 5/31: Bennet's out-of-state dough
Face The State Humor
May 31, 2009
A Denver Post analysis of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's first quarter fundraising shows less than half of his donations came from Colorado. Face The State cartoonist Milton asks, who needs in-state support when New York and California can deliver the goods?
FTS on 1100 KNZZ: State politics wrap-up
Face The State visits with 1100 KNZZ weekend host Rick Wagner to discuss state politics and elections. This week: Junior U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet posted strong first-quarter fundraising numbers, but out-of-state interests like him better than his own constituents; Gov. Bill Ritter risks losing the support of union bosses in his re-election bid, and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette takes aim at the oil and gas industry.
Play audio - 17:39 minutes
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Segments 4 and 5 - Cory Gardner, GOP candidate in CD 4
An interview with state Rep. Cory Gardner, who recently announced a run for the GOP nomination in the 4th congressional district to challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey.
Play audio - 12:14 minutes
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Segment 3 - Eight apply for state elections post
Face The State staff writer Rachel Boxer has the skinny on eight applicants for the state's top elections administration position.
Play audio - 5:50 minutes
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Tidwell withdrew from state Senate primary in 2008
A Face the State Staff Report
May 28, 2009Denver businessman Hollis Cleve Tidwell is an underdog for next year's 2010 Republican U.S. Senate nomination. Making the primary ballot won't be as easy for him as it was at last year's Senate District 35 assembly where he earned top line before exiting the race days later.
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7/3: Boulder food nannies
How about a cupcake for dessert? Not in Boulder!