Latest news with #JulieGonzales
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Polis signs voting rights bill, shielding Colorado from federal backsliding
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis shakes hands with state Sen. Julie Gonzales after he signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act, a measure Gonzales sponsored, into law Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Governor's Residence in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act into law Monday, establishing various protections contained in the federal Voting Rights Act at the state level. Senate Bill 25-1, the first bill of the 2025 legislative session, prohibits election practices that limit the participation of people of color and other protected groups, bill sponsors said. It also includes protections for LGBTQ+ voters, expands multilingual ballot access, and requires accommodations for people with disabilities at residential facilities. The state attorney general could enforce voting rights under the Colorado measure, so the state does not need to rely on federal courts to enforce voting protections. The provisions of the bill would apply to all state and municipal elections. Voters whose rights are violated under the act can take action along with civil rights groups. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bill sponsors include Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, Rep. Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat, and Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat. Supporters of the bill include Colorado Common Cause, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, the League of Women Voters and the ACLU, among other groups. Gonzales said inaction from Congress and decisions from federal courts have led to the 'slow dismantling' of the federal Voting Rights Act. Several court decisions have weakened the federal VRA over the last decade, and there's growing concern that President Donald Trump's administration could try to further erode its protections. Those were hard fought protections that the civil rights movement and the Black community particularly fought and led to achieve, and to see the fact that now a generation later, we don't know whether or how long those protections will continue to exist — we're not just going to sit around and see what happens. – State Sen. Julie Gonzales 'Those were hard fought protections that the civil rights movement and the Black community particularly fought and led to achieve, and to see the fact that now a generation later, we don't know whether or how long those protections will continue to exist — we're not just going to sit around and see what happens,' Gonzales said at a bill signing ceremony at the Governor's Residence in Denver. 'We are taking action now. We are taking action here today to ensure that every Coloradan can cast a ballot free from discrimination and free from fear.' Polis said the Colorado Legislature makes the first bill each session something that is particularly important and that it's appropriate that SB-1 centers on voting rights, because 'our democracy begins with voting.' 'Voting is not something that we can take for granted. We need to make sure that we are protecting our rights as Americans to have our voices heard,' Polis said at the bill signing. 'Colorado's election system is one of the very best in the country, and with this, we're taking steps to make sure that no matter what happens at the federal level, we can make sure to protect our voter integrity here in the great state of Colorado.' The measure ensures incarcerated voters have the right to vote while in custody and eases access for voters who live on tribal lands in Colorado. Eligible voters in assisted living facilities will also be provided information to make it easier for them to vote. The bill also expands requirements for multilingual ballots to include municipalities in a county already required to provide multilingual ballots under requirements of a 2021 law. Joseph, who immigrated to the U.S. from Haiti, said the Colorado Voting Rights Act has 'historical weight' building on protections established in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. She said that had it not been for that measure, 'I would not be before you here today.' A January poll found that two-thirds of Coloradans support protecting voting rights at the state level, and 61% support the Colorado Voting Rights Act, while 33% oppose it. Eight states have passed their own versions, several others have considered similar measures. Polis also signed House Bill 25-1225, which adds protections against intimidation, threats or coercion to people voting or helping others to vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Groups urge governor to sign rent algorithm bill
DENVER (KDVR) — With the legislative session now officially over, Gov. Jared Polis has started making his way across the state to sign bills into law. He still remains unclear on where he stands on a number of measures, including one that deals with rent prices. Among the hundreds of bills that sit on the governor's desk is one that deals with price fixing and rent prices. Supporters are worried the governor may not sign it. 'Shout-out to every member of the House of Representatives and the Senate in my party in the legislature because they chose to side with renters. Not with corporate landlords, not with companies that have used math in a creative way to exploit working people. And now it's time for the governor to do the same,' said Rep. Javier Mabrey, a sponsor of the bill in the House. A bill that every Democrat at the state capitol voted in favor of could be in jeopardy. 'When the governor supports a bill, we all know it. We know what it feels like when the governor is clear in his support for a policy, and we also are clear when the governor is opposed to a policy. He lets that be known. On House Bill 1004, he's been a little bit ambivalent or circumspect,' said Senator Julie Gonzales, a Senate sponsor of the measure. Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3: TV channel, time, what to know If it becomes law, House Bill 1004 would prohibit landlords and property owners from sharing data through AI software that uses that info to determine rent prices and occupancy said it keeps the cost of new apartment units around the same price as existing units, or it takes them off the market completely. 'These tools allow big corporations to partner with each other and work together to keep these prices up, and you know the big corporations do have a vested interest, and they lobbied hard to make sure this bill wouldn't get through. Ultimately, the legislature stood up for working people against big corporations and said: Hey, we are not going to pass these thoughts along to renters. We're going to say enough is enough,' said Sam Gilman, Community Economic Defense Project co-founder. The bill comes after the U.S. Department of Justice (under the Biden administration) and six states, including Colorado, sued landlords over their use of algorithms, but that litigation and the support of lawmakers may not be enough to get the governor's approval. 'There's 400 bills that we are looking at now, so we're looking at them now in the weeks ahead.' The governor has about a month to sign the bill or veto it. While he has not said which ones he plans to sign or veto, he did say he will keep everyone updated throughout the process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigration protections bill heads to Colorado governor's desk
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado lawmakers have moved to pass a controversial immigration rights bill. The bill's passage comes even after Colorado and Denver face a lawsuit from the Department of Justice over so-called sanctuary city and state laws. Colorado House passes immigration protections after DOJ sues for 'sanctuary' policies The bill is now headed to Governor Jared Polis' desk. The bill is drawing widespread support from the majority party, while the minority party is urging caution. A bill that would require federal agents to obtain warrants to carry out immigrant raids in sensitive places is heading to the governor's desk. Representatives passed the bill on Saturday, Senators approved changes made in the House Monday morning. Democratic sponsors said it's important this bill passes now after the president made controversial remarks about due process this weekend. 'If the Constitution protects us all, then we in Colorado have the opportunity with this vote today to demonstrate and affirm that the Constitution does in fact protect us all. That due process actually does extend to everyone,' said Senator Julie Gonzales. Republicans, on the other hand, said the bill goes too far and worry it could put a target on the state. 'It is my considered opinion and I will be a resolute and remaining no vote on this particular bill, that in fact this bill goes beyond due process. It has in it elements where you can wipe away a prior guilty plea. There are elements in this bill that provide privilege and advantage that I do not believe are appropriate. I will remain a no vote on 276,' said Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen. DOJ sues Colorado, Denver for so-called 'sanctuary laws' News came down that the federal Department of Justice had sued the state on Friday as representatives debated the bill. Attorneys for the government argue that laws in Colorado and Denver interfere with and discriminate against the federal government's enforcement of federal immigration law. Governor Jared Polis has maintained that Colorado is not a sanctuary state. He and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston have said the state and city follow all local and federal laws. The governor did add that if courts find any Colorado law is not valid, then the state will follow the ruling. The Governor's Office sent over a statement in reaction to the bill's passage: 'The Governor's Office has been working with legislators, as well as stakeholders, including law enforcement, throughout the process on SB25-276 to help ensure it doesn't interfere with our federal law enforcement partnerships. The State of Colorado is not a sanctuary state and works closely with federal and local law enforcement regularly to make Colorado safer. Governor Polis continues urging Congress to secure the border and do their job and pass comprehensive immigration reform.' Spokesperson for the Office of the Governor Lawmakers did remove a portion of the bill that would have stopped officers from having access to private areas of jails. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado immigrant protection bill focuses on data protection, ICE access restrictions
Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, speaks ahead of a committee hearing on a broad immigrant protection bill at the Colorado Capitol on April 8, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) Democrats in Colorado intend to expand existing protections for immigrants in Colorado who lack permanent legal status as the Trump administration continues its mass deportation efforts. Senate Bill 25-276 passed its first legislative committee on a party-line vote Tuesday night. It needs to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee before getting a full debate on the chamber floor. 'We've seen the Trump administration wield attacks against immigrants, regardless of their immigration status, with increasing frequency and with less and less regard for due process,' Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, told supporters and journalists ahead of the committee hearing. 'This bill creates clarity amidst the chaos, confusion and uncertainty that our communities are facing,' she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gonzales is running the bill alongside Sen. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, Rep. Lorena Garcia, an Adams County Democrat, and Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat. It comes in the wake of immigration raids in the Denver metro area and the arrest of immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra outside her work in March. Colorado university students have had their visas revoked, following a national push by the Trump administration to target students who have protested against Israel's war on Gaza and other contentious issues. A CBS 60 Minutes report recently found that of the over 200 people that federal authorities transported to a prison in El Salvador, only about 22% have a criminal history in the United States, mostly for non-violent crimes. Some of the people detained in Colorado also had no criminal record, as reported by Colorado Public Radio. 'What we know about the administration's actions thus far — and good luck trying to find the truth right because it's a new thing every day — they're not targeted just to people who've committed offenses, despite what they say. They put fear into a broader universe of people,' Weissman said. Colorado has existing laws that restrict local law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prohibiting them from arresting a person on behalf of immigration authorities or holding them in jail past their release time so ICE can pick them up. SB-276 would further clarify that local law enforcement cannot delay a person's release for an immigration enforcement operation. It would also restrict ICE from physical access to non-public spaces in a jail without a warrant. 'When a person posts bond, they need to be released. That's it. That's how we roll in the United States of America. And so when those jails are holding people for up to six hours to facilitate ICE apprehension, the jail and the county commissioners for that jail are looking at a Fourth Amendment lawsuit,' immigration lawyer Hans Meyer said. 'This is a way for us to make sure that those lines are clear. I don't like ICE, but ICE can do their job as long as they're doing their job lawfully.' State agencies are not allowed to share personally-identifying information — data that is not publicly available such as a birthday, tax identification number, vehicle registration information or fingerprints — with immigration authorities. The bill would extend that prohibition to local governments. It would also repeal requirements that a person without permanent legal status submit an affidavit saying they intend to, or already have, applied for status when seeking in-state tuition at a public university in the state or for a driver's license. 'These affidavits serve no constructive purpose, no public benefit, all while collecting sensitive data and private information that potentially exposes individuals to constitutional rights violations,' Velasco said. Additionally, the bill would prevent federal immigration officers from accessing non-public spaces in schools, hospitals and child care centers without a warrant. Many supporters testified on Tuesday that fear of detention and deportation has created a chilling effect in the immigrant community, creating fear around attending school and seeking medical care. The bill would also allow immigrants to ask a court to vacate a guilty plea for some additional misdemeanors not currently allowed under law, traffic violations and petty offenses if they weren't advised by their lawyers of immigration consequences of that plea. Guilty pleas can make it nearly impossible for immigrants to obtain legal status, such as a green card and eventually apply for citizenship. Aubrey Lesso said her husband's marijuana conviction from a decade ago prevented him from getting permanent residence after their marriage. 'My husband wasn't advised of the immigration consequences of this petty offense, so he pleaded guilty and, as he was a minor, all he needed to do was pay a fine instead of going to more court dates,' she said. 'We have spent almost four years trying to clean up my husband's record, but he still doesn't have a pathway to status.' That has created a ripple effect, she said, because her husband can't get a Social Security number or work authorization. 'I always fear that my husband will be detained by ICE, leaving me and my son alone,' she said. The bill would set civil penalties, up to $50,000, for violations that would go to the state's Immigrant Legal Defense Fund. The Colorado Municipal League asked for an amendment Tuesday to exempt local government employees from that liability. The testimony on Tuesday was almost entirely in support of the bill, including from immigrant rights groups, education advocacy organizations, and groups like the ACLU of Colorado. Three organizations are officially registered in opposition to the bill: the town of Castle Rock, Strong Advocates For Enforcement in Colorado, or SAFE Colorado, and the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police. 'This bill is not about civil rights, as its supporters claim. It is about shielding criminal illegal aliens under the guise of virtue signaling,' said John Fabbricatore, a former ICE regional director and leader of SAFE Colorado. Republican Sens. Rod Pelton of Cheyenne Wells and Byron Pelton of Sterling voted against the bill in committee, a likely foreshadow to universal Republican opposition in the Senate. Democrats hold majorities in both the Senate and House and do not need Republican votes to pass legislation. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 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Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado lawmakers hear proposal impacting specified semiautomatic guns
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado lawmakers are once again taking up legislation that impacts semiautomatic firearm sales in the state. Supporters and opponents say the new effort is different than similar bills in recent years. The new bill may have enough support to pass the Senate this time if it clears the Colorado Senate's State, Veteran and Military Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Gun store owners are worried about the impact it could have if it passes. Denver based company becomes part of history, first civil engineered jet hits supersonic speed After the Aurora theater shooting, Colorado lawmakers passed a law prohibiting the sale, transfer or possession of high-capacity magazines that hold more than 15 said the new Senate bill looks to enforce that law. 'This shouldn't be controversial. Enforcing the laws on the books is all that we are asking our law enforcement agencies and our state to do. The question is very clear: Are we going to sit behind and allow gun manufacturers to just flout the law or are we going to say no, this is not OK and we need a different path forward? At the end of the day, that's what Senate Bill 3 is all about,' said Senator Julie Gonzales of Denver. She was also the prime Senate sponsor of a bill looking to outlaw the sale of assault weapons in 2024; it never reached the Senate floor. She is cosponsoring the new bill with Senator Tom Sullivan whose son Alex was killed in the Aurora theatre shooting. 'This policy is meant to hold manufacturers to account for following the law that we have already had on the books here in Colorado for well over a decade. So this isn't about taking away anybody's guns, but this about saying, 'Hey manufacturers, if you want to sell your products here in Colorado, follow our laws,'' she said. The new bill defines a specified semiautomatic rifle or shotgun as one with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable the new proposal, knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing those guns would be prohibited in Colorado. Buckley Space Force Base providing facilities for ICE immigration processing Bryan Clark is the owner of Bristlecone Shooting, Retail and Training Center in been open since 2015. He worries the new bill at the capitol would go beyond enforcing current law. 'I respectfully disagree that this particular bill is all about enforcing that measure. I view this bill as more of kind of an end and around attempt to ban certain firearms. Whereas, I know that as long as we have been open, we've always been Colorado compliant with any of the products we sell, especially magazines,' said Clark. 'Rifles which we typically think of an AR-style semiautomatic rifle that — or even shotguns that are not pump activated — that are semiautomatics, people don't realize that with those they do have detachable magazines a lot of times where the ammunition is actually stored in the tube underneath the actual barrel, that tube can be removed,' Clark continued. 'There are certain firearms that are popular: some Walther, the PPK — the old James Bond gun would be included and certain other smaller handguns would be included in the bill.' Hundreds signed up to weigh in on the measure. Rocky Mountain Gun Owners are already gearing up to tackle the legislation head-on.'We have a large group of gun owners who and Second Amendment defenders to oppose Senate Bill 3 which is the most egregious piece of gun control that has ever been filed in Colorado history,' said Ian Escalante, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Executive Director. 'If this bill does make it to the governor's desk and it goes into law, RMGO will be waiting before the ink is dry to file a lawsuit. We will have this struck down in court. There's absolutely no way we can allow this to stand.' Gov. Jared Polis has not taken a position on the new bill. A spokesperson for his office told FOX31 'he will continue to review the bill as it moves through the process and changes.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
