Donald Trump
Colorado may owe feds millions after Medicaid overpayment due to ‘human programming error’
DENVER – Colorado is trying to figure out how to set aside $25 million in case it needs to pay the federal government back after a computer programming error led to the state being overpaid by millions of dollars in Medicaid funds.
On Feb. 15, Office of State Planning and Budgeting Director Henry Sobanet sent a letter to Sen. Kent Lambert, the chair of the Joint Budget Committee, informing him of the overpayment. Continue reading
Tipton, Lamborn and Gardner all hosting telephone town halls Wednesday evening
DENVER – Three of Colorado’s Republican members of Congress are holding telephone town hall meetings Wednesday evening to talk with constituents.
Sen. Cory Gardner is holding his fourth in a series of town halls Wednesday evening at 7:10 p.m. Mountain Time. He is holding several throughout the year at different times of the day in order to connect with different groups of people, he says.
You can sign up to participate in the Gardner town hall by clicking here. You must sign up at least an hour before the start time to be able to pose a question, but anyone can listen in.
In the March 1 town hall, Gardner talked about marijuana, health care, and Russia, among other subjects.
Rep. Doug Lamborn will also host one Wednesday. His begins at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Sign up for the town hall by clicking here.
And Rep. Scott Tipton will hold a town hall starting at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time Wednesday. The town hall was originally slated for Tuesday, but was pushed back to Wednesday because of flight delays, Tipton said.
You can sign up for Tipton’s town hall here.
Many of Colorado’s congressional delegation is holding town hall meetings over at least the next month in order to hear from constituents on topics concerning them.
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Colorado bill would prevent state from aiding feds in immigration roundups, registry
DENVER – The “sanctuary status” debate in Colorado could ramp up because of a bill introduced in the state Legislature this week that aims to create a distinction in state law that it won’t help federal authorities identify or track people on the basis of their race or immigration status, among other things.
House Bill 1230 is co-sponsored by two of the state’s Democratic leaders, Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, and Rep. Daneya Esgar, the House Majority Caucus Chair. It also has co-sponsorship from Rep. Joseph Salazar, D-Adams, and Sen. Daniel Kagan, D-Arapahoe.
But 33 other Democratic House members have already signed on in support of the bill, as have eight other senators.
Reps. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, D-Jefferson, and southwestern Colorado Democrat Barbara McLachlan are the only Democratic House members not to have signed on to the bill.
Bill would change statute to prohibit helping feds in undocumented roundups, tracking
If passed, the bill would enact the “Ralph Carr Freedom Defense Act,” named after the governor of Colorado from 1939 to 1943 who famously took a stand against anti-Japanese sentiments amid the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
If passed through both chambers and signed by the governor, the bill would enact a series of changes to Colorado Revised Statutes that prohibits the state from helping federal authorities identify, track or detain people solely on the basis of their race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status or religious affiliation.
The bill says that the state would have to know “the basis” for a request from federal authorities to divulge any of that information, and that the request be for “a legal and constitutional purpose.”
It would prohibit state agencies from helping federal authorities from “creating, maintaining, or updating a registry” that would track Colorado residents based on the aforementioned categories. The state would still cooperate with the U.S. Census Bureau.
The bill would also prohibit the state from helping put an electronic or physical “identifier” or tracking device on any person based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status or religious affiliation.
Finally, the bill defines “internment” as holding or imprisoning a person without probable cause or due process based on the categories for more than 48 hours, and says the state will not help federal authorities intern or arrest people on those bases.
The first part of the bill contains a legislative declaration that reads: “Colorado has been a beacon of hope against inhumane practices, such as the internment of communities. Colorado is called to lead again against the potential overreach of the federal government.”
It then goes into the history of Governor Carr’s opposition to the internment of Japanese-Americans, including the speech in which he said, “The Japanese are protected by the same Constitution that protects us. An American citizen of Japanese descent has the same rights as any other citizen…If you harm them, you must first harm me.”
“History has demonstrated that the demonization of communities leading to internment camps and the deprivation of human rights, constitutional rights, and civil rights are often rooted in the overreach of federal policies,” the declaration continues.
Sanctuary status for Colorado cities a gray area for most
So-called “sanctuary cities” have been scrutinized over the past several months after President Donald Trump promised during his campaign, and carried through with his promises in January, that he would strip federal funding from any self-professed sanctuary cities.
Denver, Aurora and Boulder have all said they won’t turn over suspected undocumented immigrants solely on the basis they are in the U.S. illegally, but Boulder is the only city with an official policy on its books.
Both Denver’s and Aurora’s mayor have maintained their cities are not sanctuary cities, however, despite Denver Mayor Michael Hancock making clear that Trump’s immigration orders targeting undocumented immigrants were out-of-line with city policy.
But other Colorado law enforcement authorities aren’t so keen on “sanctuary” policies.
Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said in a news release on March 6 – the same day the new bill was introduced – that he believes people illegally in the country should be deported if they are committing crimes and that he opposes sanctuary policies. But he also added that his personal feelings “aren’t always compatible with what [he is] legally allowed to enforce under the ‘rule of law.’”
And the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution already provides protections against the detainment or arrest of people without probable cause no matter the legal status of a person.
But the bill, if passed, could protect people like Bernardo Medina, a U.S. citizen from Colorado who alleges he was unlawfully detained for three days by ICE in 2015 on the basis he was Hispanic – a time period that would violate the 48-hour internment portion of the bill.
The bill’s first hearing is set for March 16 in the House Judiciary Committee.
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How does the House GOP health care bill differ from Obamacare?
DENVER – Top Republicans in Washington began their push to promote the new health care bill drafted by the House GOP Tuesday as critics from both sides of the aisle surfaced, and as many wondered exactly what the draft bill would mean for them.
House Republicans and President Trump unveiled the American Health Care Act late Monday. Trump and other Republicans had campaigned on the premise they would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, but the new bill has drawn plenty of criticism already. Continue reading
Trump’s new immigration executive order: 7 differences from first travel ban
DENVER – President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on immigration Monday that revises his initial order that banned immigrants from seven predominantly-Muslim countries.
The new order contains some differences from the initial order, which was signed in January, but was challenged by federal judges in Washington and Minnesota. The suspension of the order was upheld by a federal appeals court. Continue reading
Class-action suit certified for 60K+ detainees at Aurora ICE facility ‘forced’ to work for $1 a day
DENVER – A federal judge in Colorado will allow tens of thousands of people housed at an Aurora immigration center who were required to work, in some instances for $1 a day, to form a class to continue a lawsuit against the company that is contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run the facility.
Nine people have filed lawsuits over the past two years against the GEO Group, which is contracted to run the ICE facility in Aurora. All were housed at the facility while awaiting deportation. Continue reading
Colorado politicians sound off on AG Jeff Sessions’ recusal from Russia probe
DENVER – Two members of Colorado’s congressional delegation say U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions should recuse himself from the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into Russian interference in last year’s election amid reports he misled or lied to the Senate about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in the months before the election.
By Thursday afternoon, Sessions had done just that. Continue reading
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner talks marijuana, Russian meddling, health care in telephone town hall
DENVER – Colorado Senator Cory Gardner answered questions from 12 Coloradans ranging from marijuana to health care and the administration’s executive orders on immigration in a 45-minute telephone town hall Wednesday morning.
The telephone town hall was an olive branch to frothing constituents who have demanded in recent weeks that the Republican senator hold in-person town hall meetings with his constituents, despite most of his fellow Colorado Congressmen also refraining from doing so. Continue reading
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner to host telephone town hall meeting amid uproar
DENVER – Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner is holding a town hall meeting with constituents after all – he just won’t be there in person.
Gardner, Colorado’s Republican senator, announced Monday he would be holding the first of what he says will be several telephone town halls on Wednesday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time.
It had originally been scheduled for 10 a.m., but was rescheduled Wednesday morning. A stream of the call can be heard here.
“Throughout the year, I’ll be hosting live telephone town halls. During the interactive meetings, you’ll hear from me regarding updates on the work I’ve been doing for fellow Coloradans, and I’ll talk about issues important to my constituents,” a post on Gardner’s website says. “In addition, you will have the opportunity to ask me questions on the phone and online.”
The senator has been under fire for more than a month in Colorado after comments about people protesting at his office being “paid” to do so, but the fervor intensified last week after he spent the week in the state at various meetings with business leaders and others.
But he didn’t show up to a handful of town hall meetings planned by organizers and constituents to discuss a wide range of topics, including health care, energy and President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
One of the town hall meetings used a cardboard cutout of Gardner in his absence.
“Over 14,000 people have signed a petition requesting a meeting; hundreds of people have either called or protested outside his office requesting the same. But so far, Senator Gardner has said no,” said Katie Farnan, a lead organizer with Indivisible Front Range Resistance who organized the town hall.
Gardner’s camp issued a statement on his behalf last week regarding his meetings in Colorado saying he “had the opportunity to meet with and speak to hundreds of Coloradans and discuss issues ranging from the challenges facing the agriculture community to reforming our health care system,” in part.
Gardner is a former U.S. House member who narrowly defeated Democrat incumbent Mark Udall for the senate seat in 2014 by a 48.5 to 46 percent margin.
He has so far voted with President Donald Trump in each possible confirmation or vote, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Colorado’s other senator, Democrat Michael Bennet, also has held no town hall meetings this year.
To sign up to participate in Gardner’s telephone town hall, click here.
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Colorado’s elected officials, political organizations react to President Trump’s speech to Congress
DENVER – Colorado politicians and political organizations reacted swiftly to President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress Tuesday night.
Here is a roundup of some of the responses received by Denver7:
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo.
“Tonight, President Trump outlined his plan to tackle our country’s challenges. I am encouraged that he prioritized strengthening our economy and boosting job creation as well as addressing our broken health care system. Equally as important, the President highlighted the increasingly complex security threats we’re facing around the globe, including Iran and ISIS. After eight years of a failed foreign policy that led to emboldened regimes and instability in the Middle East, it’s critical that the United States stands up to its adversaries and stands by its allies.
“While headlines may reflect polarization, I remain convinced that more unites us than divides us. Our shared love and respect for democracy continues to make America the greatest nation on earth. Our country is still one that strives to inspire, innovate, invent, and above all – promote and create opportunities. I’m committed to working with this Administration on behalf of Coloradans to strengthen our country and make it easier for every American to succeed.”
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
“I am pleased the President condemned the recent hate crimes and attacks on Jewish community centers and cemeteries. Such actions have no place in the United States or anywhere else.
“I have long said I will work with anyone to rebuild our infrastructure, fix our broken immigration system, educate our children, protect our environment, reduce our debt, and repair our health care system. In the days ahead, I hope the President will start the hard work of building consensus and leave the campaign behind.”
Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo.
“The president’s address was a reminder that America is strong when we stand together and work to achieve common goals. We all want a robust economy, affordable and accessible health care, safe communities, and a better future for our kids. Tonight, the president laid out what his governing vision is for America – much of which Republicans in Congress have already started working on as part of our Better Way Agenda.
“We’re repealing and replacing Obamacare with a health care system that lowers costs, increases choice, and ensures all Americans can access the health services they need. We are taking steps to roll back the federal overreach that has plagued small business owners and entrepreneurs over the last eight years, because a vibrant Main Street is critical to a strong economy. We are also working towards streamlining and simplifying our tax code, so businesses will feel confident investing in the United States and Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money.
“We’re at a pivotal point in our nation’s history, and I look forward to continuing the work that will advance policies that benefit the families of the Third Congressional District of Colorado.”
Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.
“I’m eager to work with President Trump to advance conservative policy,” stated Congressman Ken Buck. “Tonight he called for lower taxes for the middle class, a roll back of excessive regulations, a better healthcare system for Americans, and safety and security for our communities. It’s time for America to once again be optimistic.”
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo.
“For the past month, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have been giving us platitudes and promises, but no real plans on anything from health care to immigration to education and beyond. Meanwhile, the president’s actions speak louder than any number of grand pronouncements he made this evening. His draft budget is completely out of line with U.S. values and long-term interests. He talks about things that will be wildly expensive, but then offers no way to pay for them but vague assurances of tax cuts. These things sound great in a speech, but the reality has set in: As president, you have to put in place workable policies.”
Colorado Republican Committee Chairman Steve House
“Finally, a president came before the American people to speak plainly and honestly about the future of our great country. Tonight, President Donald J. Trump outlined an optimistic and bold vision for our country that crosses party lines.
“President Trump has now set lawmakers on a clear path to improve our nation’s health care, protect our borders, require tax and regulation reform and ensure the future of American exceptionalism.
“Since January 20th, President Trump has been fulfilling the promises he made to the American people at a record-setting pace, including bringing back American jobs and nominating a mainstream conservative to the Supreme Court. This evening, he expanded on his plans to pass an aggressive agenda that will solve real problems for real people, make sure every American who needs a good job gets one, and put our nation’s security first.
“It is my sincere hope Senator Michael Bennet and the Democrats will join with President Trump to help fix the problems of this country and Make America Great Again.”
ProgressNow Colorado Executive Director Ian Silverii
“The only thing saving our nation from the abyss today is the fact that Donald Trump is having trouble keeping his promises,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Ian Silverii. “The first month of Trump’s administration has been an historic disaster, as Trump has lurched from crisis to crisis within his administration, only partially successful in his plans to attack abortion rights, working people, immigrants, and clean water. Trump has abandoned his promises to help American workers compete in the global economy, and instead signed our government over to the same Wall Street kingpins who plunged the nation into recession less than a decade ago.”
“President Trump’s false claims about the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, do not comport with the experience of millions of Americans who have gained coverage from President Obama’s signature health care reform law,” said Silverii. “Today, the polls show Americans have finally come to understand the benefits of Obamacare, and Americans have rejected the years of misinformation from the Trump and Colorado’s Sen. Cory Gardner. No replacement for the Affordable Care Act introduced by Republicans would protect as many Americans as the Affordable Care Act, and eliminating the key protections and coverage benefits in the Affordable Care Act could deprive millions of Americans of the care they need. For too many, Trump’s cavalier dismissals of their need for care are a life-or-death proposition.”
“It is inconceivable that Donald Trump, a man who has spent so much time and effort demonizing immigrants, could ever deliver workable comprehensive immigration reform–and Trump failed to articulate anything but a vision of greed and contempt tonight on immigration,” said Silverii. “Trump’s unconscionable attacks on Latin American immigrants and refugees from war-torn nations around the world, which continued in tonight’s address to the shock of many in the chamber and millions watching, have left him completely alienated from the communities he needs to buy in to any immigration reform plan. Expecting immigrant communities to trust Trump after his disparagement of them as violent criminals and terrorists would is impossible.”
“Tonight, President Trump tried the same tricks that he used on the campaign trail last year, and failed,” said Silverii. “Trump is full of grand empty promises to working people, but his actions so far have proven that he doesn’t care about America’s working families or the middle class. The campaign is over, and Trump is learning that being President is more than stringing words together. Tonight’s speech just demonstrated once again that Trump is not up to the job.”
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