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Lisa Wirthman

Articles By Lisa Wirthman

Polis Commuted Death Sentences. What Does that Mean for Victims’ Families?

Colorado Sen. Rhonda Fields spent years seeking justice for the death of her son and his fiancée. Now, she says that justice was taken from her.

capitol building

Colorado’s 2020 Legislative Session Starts Today. Here’s What You Need to Know

We spoke with the four leaders of the General Assembly about their strategies for the upcoming session and the top issues they expect to debate in 2020.

Proposition CC

Colorado Voters Reject Measure to Fund Education and Transit Through TABOR Refunds

Proposition CC fails, but the fight to unwind TABOR’s tax restrictions continues.

Proposition CC

What You Need to Know About Proposition CC

The statewide ballot measure would allow the state to keep excess TABOR taxes instead of refunding the money to taxpayers.

Colorado Republicans Are Taking Aim at the State Senate in 2020

How will its leaders, Democratic Sen. Leroy Garcia and Republican Sen. Chris Holbert, navigate the fight?

Michael Bennet

It’s Official: Michael Bennet is Running for President

The Colorado Senator came out swinging this year in a campaign to reform broken politics. Now he wants to start a revolution.

kindergarten

Colorado Legislature Passes Bill Funding Full-Day Kindergarten

How a bipartisan effort between a Boulder Democrat and a Salida Republican opened doors for Colorado’s youngest learners.

Jena Griswold

Why Secretary of State Jena Griswold Sees Democracy as a Superpower

In her first 100 days, Griswold has championed a sweeping package of voting reforms intended to give Coloradans a stronger voice in government.

The Very Real Effects of Having More Women in Office

Colorado is already seeing the tangible benefits of having more women in the legislature, including a handful of bills aimed to uproot gender inequity in the workplace.

Michael Bennet

Michael Bennet Doesn’t Plan to Let His Cancer Diagnosis Derail His Presidential Ambitions

News that the Colorado senator was diagnosed with prostate cancer provides an additional lens for the Congressional healthcare reforms he announced this week—and only increases his motivation to run for president.

red flag

Gun Control Legislation Is No Longer a Third Rail in Colorado Politics

The passage of Colorado’s red flag bill in the State Senate highlights how the tide has shifted on gun control—and how deeply divided our electorate is.

Clearing Up Misconceptions About Colorado’s Sex Ed Bill

The sponsors of the bill—Colorado state senators Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) and Don Coram (R-Montrose)—are focusing on bipartisanship to protect students’ physical and mental health.

John Hickenlooper

John Hickenlooper Is Running for President

The worst-kept secret in Colorado politics is a secret no longer.

national popular vote

Colorado Wants to Change the Way We Elect Presidents

State legislators approved a bill on Thursday that could transition our presidential election system to a National Popular Vote as soon as 2024.

Michael Bennet

“I Couldn’t Be Silent.” Sen. Michael Bennet Wants to End Government Shutdowns

The Colorado Democrat spoke to 5280 about his viral takedown of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on the Senate floor, what’s next in the border debate, and his fight to protect public lands.

Womxn's March

With an Eye on 2020, the Denver Womxn’s March Focuses on Diversity

The leaders behind this year’s march—both nationally and locally—are dedicated to fulfilling a more inclusive mission by planning a more diverse event and addressing a broader spectrum of women’s issues.

5 Takeaways From Gov. Jared Polis’ State of the State Address

In his inaugural speech to the General Assembly on Thursday, Colorado’s newly minted governor outlined clear objectives for his first year in office, but without much detail on how they’ll be accomplished.

Jared Polis

Jared Polis Makes History as Colorado’s 43rd Governor

In an optimistic ceremony that celebrated diversity and championed civil rights, Jared Polis was sworn into office on Tuesday morning, making him the country’s first openly gay governor.

Jared Polis

5280 Exclusive: How Jared Polis Is Bringing Inclusivity to the Statehouse

On the eve of his inauguration, governor-elect Jared Polis shares an inside look at a transition process that embraces openness and transparency in unprecedented ways.

As a New Legislative Session Begins, Democrats Weigh Their Power

Colorado leaders talked to 5280 about diversity, their hopes for bipartisanship, and the key issues they’ll be focusing on in 2019.

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