COLORADO TOP STORIES
Xcel rate-hike filing may be first in series
Denver Post
Xcel Energy's proposed $210 million- a-year electric-rate increase is likely the first in a series of hikes Colorado customers will see in the coming years. "As soon as we finish this rate case, what I think will happen is the company will file another one," said attorney Mark Davidson. "Instead of every four years, we're probably in a two-year rate-making cycle."
Aide says she redirected staff
Rocky Mountain News
A top aide to gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman admitted on the witness stand Tuesday that she told Holtzman staffers they should work on behalf of an issue committee that stands accused of illegally coordinating its activities with the campaign. Laura Teal, political director for the Holtzman campaign, said she had defied her own campaign manager and told employees they should work closely with If C Wins, You Lose, an issue committee that ran TV ads opposing Referendum C last fall. Under Colorado campaign finance law, political candidates are not supposed to be directly involved with issue committees. "I instructed my staff to help out Andy George," Teal said. George was one of two employees of the If C Wins, You Lose committee. The trial was prompted by allegations that the Holtzman campaign illegally created the If C Wins, You Lose committee to promote Holtzman's candidacy. The charges were brought by veteran lobbyist Steve Durham, a supporter of Holtzman's Republican rival for the gubernatorial nomination, Congressman Bob Beauprez.
Senate backs measure for lobbyists' disclosure
Rocky Mountain News
The Senate approved three measures aimed at cracking down on sex offenders; a bill that makes identity theft a crime; and a measure that would make it felony to cause severe emotional damage to a child under the state's child abuse laws. But House Bill 1149 by Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, and Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, drew the most political backlash. Senate Republicans opposed the bill, even though the House had weakened it by stripping two provisions: one would require a one-year "cooling off" period between leaving public office and become a lobbyist, and the other would compel lobbyists to report campaign contributions of $100 or more. Still, the bill would require lobbyists to disclose the bill numbers of legislation they're working, their clients' position on legislation and any direct business relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers. "This is good government disclosure," Tupa said, noting that lobbyists help fund campaigns, draft legislation and fund lawmakers' controversial office accounts. "Lobbyists are paid outside of the legislature to lobby the political process, and this bill sheds more light on their dealings," he said. Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, led the fight against the bill, arguing that it's unnecessary because reputable lobbyists already disclose such information to the secretary of state. He said the bill would ultimately hamper lawmakers.
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Xcel rate-hike filing may be first in series
Denver Post
Xcel Energy's proposed $210 million- a-year electric-rate increase is likely the first in a series of hikes Colorado customers will see in the coming years. "As soon as we finish this rate case, what I think will happen is the company will file another one," said attorney Mark Davidson. "Instead of every four years, we're probably in a two-year rate-making cycle."
Aide says she redirected staff
Rocky Mountain News
A top aide to gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman admitted on the witness stand Tuesday that she told Holtzman staffers they should work on behalf of an issue committee that stands accused of illegally coordinating its activities with the campaign. Laura Teal, political director for the Holtzman campaign, said she had defied her own campaign manager and told employees they should work closely with If C Wins, You Lose, an issue committee that ran TV ads opposing Referendum C last fall. Under Colorado campaign finance law, political candidates are not supposed to be directly involved with issue committees. "I instructed my staff to help out Andy George," Teal said. George was one of two employees of the If C Wins, You Lose committee. The trial was prompted by allegations that the Holtzman campaign illegally created the If C Wins, You Lose committee to promote Holtzman's candidacy. The charges were brought by veteran lobbyist Steve Durham, a supporter of Holtzman's Republican rival for the gubernatorial nomination, Congressman Bob Beauprez.
Senate backs measure for lobbyists' disclosure
Rocky Mountain News
The Senate approved three measures aimed at cracking down on sex offenders; a bill that makes identity theft a crime; and a measure that would make it felony to cause severe emotional damage to a child under the state's child abuse laws. But House Bill 1149 by Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, and Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, drew the most political backlash. Senate Republicans opposed the bill, even though the House had weakened it by stripping two provisions: one would require a one-year "cooling off" period between leaving public office and become a lobbyist, and the other would compel lobbyists to report campaign contributions of $100 or more. Still, the bill would require lobbyists to disclose the bill numbers of legislation they're working, their clients' position on legislation and any direct business relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers. "This is good government disclosure," Tupa said, noting that lobbyists help fund campaigns, draft legislation and fund lawmakers' controversial office accounts. "Lobbyists are paid outside of the legislature to lobby the political process, and this bill sheds more light on their dealings," he said. Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, led the fight against the bill, arguing that it's unnecessary because reputable lobbyists already disclose such information to the secretary of state. He said the bill would ultimately hamper lawmakers.
Today's complete daily news digest
NOTE: some news sites require free registration in order to read their stories.
To subscribe to the daily news digest, click here.