Getty Images/iStockphoto
Following a call to join Rio Blanco’s Wolf Reintroduction Sanctuary stance, Moffat County commissioners stated that while they remain steadfast in the opposition of wolves, they will not be joining in on Rio Blanco’s resolution, instead focusing their efforts on requesting a local governmental role in the planning process.
Rio Blanco’s resolution stated the county would allow for the natural migration and repopulation of Gray Wolves, but would not allow for artificially introduced wolves, further stating that “designated lands” for artificial reintroduction must not include Rio Blanco County or any other county in the state that adopts the Sanctuary County Resolution.
Special to the Daily
The importance of having a safe, comfortable, affordable home became more obvious than ever over the last 13 months. Yet counties and municipalities across Colorado continue to struggle to deliver enough affordable housing for the workers that form the backbone of our communities and economies.
This is a significant challenge that has evolved into a crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. When people cannot afford their housing, they often go without vital necessities like food, water and medical care. We need more tools to address affordable housing shortages. More investments in housing for our workforce will result in dividends for families and workers’ health.
Colorado solid waste law s interpretation could hinge on personhood for counties coloradopolitics.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from coloradopolitics.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Garfield County Democratic Party has endorsed a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature that would remove elected county commissioners from the statutorily required local public health board.
But the three Republican county commissioners say they intend to continue serving in their roles on the Garfield County Board of Health.
The health board takes advice from and gives direction to the county’s Department of Public Health, and decides certain policy matters, especially when it comes to spending.
County-level health boards have become crucial during the past year in the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Many, including those in neighboring Pitkin and Mesa counties, have relied heavily on medical experts and institutional representatives in helping to make those decisions, county Democrats pointed out in a recently issued press release.
With the 2021 session again underway, what will lawmakers be looking at, especially given the limitations on the budget imposed by the pandemic and ensuing recession? Colorado Politics’ statehouse team examined five issues likely to dominate the discussions for the remainder of the session.
Justice reform:
• First-degree felony murder
The charge of first-degree felony murder allows a defendant to be charged with that crime if a victim is killed in the commission of crimes. including arson, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, sexual assault and escape. The sentence: life in prison without parole.
Sen. Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, hopes to change that. Among the criminal justice bills he’s sponsoring in the 2021 session is one to change the sentencing around felony murder, a repeat of a 2020 bill that was dismissed due to the pandemic. Under his proposal, instead of felony murder, the charge would be second-degree murder with a sentence of eight to 24 years, although he also prop