Colorado is in a gun fight with the feds
Trump administration sues Denver and the state over firearm policies
The Trump administration has sued Colorado and the city of Denver over their bans on semiautomatic and high-capacity guns, citing the Second Amendment.
The federal government sued Denver on Tuesday and filed a similar suit against Colorado on Wednesday, after city and state leaders refused demands to repeal laws prohibiting semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines like those used in some of the state’s deadliest mass shootings.
Multiple studies have shown that bans like these can significantly reduce the number of people killed by mass shooters. But gun rights advocates have been testing the legality of high-capacity magazine bans in several states in recent years, and the issue could soon be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Need to Know
🔎 Groups of lawmakers known as legislative caucuses can keep their donors secret. A now-abandoned proposal would have required public, quarterly reports listing the funders of these groups. Opponents said it could discourage caucuses from coming together to discuss important policy issues. One lawmaker proposed making caucus funding part of the Secretary of State’s campaign finance oversight. (Colorado Sun, Denver Post, read the bill)
🏟️ A new group is coming together to negotiate with the Broncos football team on behalf of Denver residents who will be impacted by a huge new stadium and entertainment district project in the west Denver area known as Burnham Yard. Communities near the planned mega-project have voiced concerns about economic displacement and quality of life disruptions. (Denver Post, Axios)
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Something Good
🤓 Shout out to local libraries – in particular the Belmar branch of the Jefferson County public library system. The snowstorm knocked out my Internet yesterday, but I was able to get online at the library and work from this room that has an amazing view of Belmar park. It was another great reminder of the importance of these public spaces.
