As described earlier today, Face The State's Brad Jones was juxtaposed against liberal writer David Sirota on a news package aired yesterday on Denver's Fox 31 news. Sirota says conservative protesters are part of the "khaki pants offensive" carrying out "white backlash" against Pres. Barack Obama. FTS's Jones talks policy. Watch the video, below the fold.

Be sure to tune in tonight at 9 pm to Fox 31 News (available along much of Colorado's Front Range and in the high country on cable/repeaters) to see FTS managing editor Brad Jones talk about the tone of the health care debate unfolding during the August congressional recess. We don't know what quotes they'll decide to use, but isn't it fair to ask, "where in the Constitution does it say the federal government may run an insurance company?"

If you can't tune in tonight, visit FTS tomorrow morning for streaming video online.

Following Face The State's publication of details on the 51 bills hiking state fee revenue this year, Fox 31 reporter Eli Stokols reports on the real-world impact to individuals and businesses.

Ever since a gunman who claimed he was "the emperor" entered the state capitol in 2007 and was killed by state troopers, Gov. Bill Ritter and lawmakers have spent millions of taxpayer dollars on extra security. The measures included employing access card devices for Capitol staff and elected officials, paired with an increased state patrol presence, metal detectors, x-ray machines and only two public entrances.

But how effective are the new measures? Face The State writers Rachel Boxer and Kate Melvin worked with Fox 31 TV reporter Leland Vittert to expose major vulnerabilities in capitol security.

Following a string of Face The State investigative reports showing CU chancellor pay to be among the highest in the country, Fox 31 News in Denver spoke Wednesday with state Sen. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, who called for spending restraint at the University.

Documents obtained by Face The State were the basis for a report aired Wednesday night on Denver's Fox 31 News detailing lavish spending by directors of Denver's Regional Transportation District. Amidst lagging sales tax revenues and a pay freeze for front-line bus and rail staff, RTD directors spent tens of thousands of dollars in 2008 traveling to as far away as China at taxpayer expense.

Following up on a news report aired Tuesday night, Face The State managing editor Brad Jones visited with Fox 31 News anchor Ken Clark this morning to discuss the slate of 20 applicants for the position of Colorado Secretary of State.

In case you missed it: Denver's Fox 31 News tonight picked up on Face The State's in-depth coverage of the slate of 20 applicants vying for appointment to the position of Secretary of State. Gov. Bill Ritter is in a position to appoint a new Secretary of State on the occasion of current officeholder Mike Coffman's election to the U.S. Congress.

Covering a story first reported by Face The State, Fox 31 News this week detailed Gov. Bill Ritter's plan to award to state employees an extra day of paid vacation time this holiday season. Republican lawmakers, including state Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, called the plan "reckless."

In his inaugural address, Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, promised a state government that was open and transparent to the people. But his administration has fallen far short of that goal, as revealed in a Fox 31 TV report Monday. Now, in the aftermath of the State Patrol's refusal to release flight records to Face The State, lawmakers are asking if Ritter will ever live up to his lofty rhetoric.