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• Biz impact statements won't be required in CO

  March 19, 2012 8:48 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A Colorado proposal to require reports on how state bills would affect businesses has failed for a second year. Critics say the proposed "business impact" statements would have simply added paperwork and wouldn't improve how laws are made. The bill would have allowed as many as 50... more »

• Democrats to hold caucuses today

  March 6, 2012 7:37 AM

  DENVER (AP) - It's Super Tuesday, and Colorado isn't entirely left out of the action. Colorado Democrats hold precinct caucuses Tuesday night. Democrats are meeting four weeks after their Republican counterparts held precinct caucuses to choose presidential favorites. Democrats have no contested presidential contest, so their precinct caucuses have attracted... more »

• GOP leader suggests force vs. Iran

  March 5, 2012 8:03 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate Republican leader said Monday the United States should use overwhelming military force against Iran if American intelligence shows that Tehran has decided to build a nuclear weapon or it has started to enrich uranium to weapons-grade level, a bold call certain to reverberate in U.S.-Israeli... more »

• Republican governors concerned about primary race

  February 26, 2012 12:56 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic governors are bullish on President Barack Obama's re-election prospects, citing the improving economy and a Republican nominating contest that has exposed deep divisions in the party's base. Republican governors insist Obama is vulnerable, but they say they are concerned the prolonged primary race has alienated independent... more »

• Dems, GOP look to play offense after payroll fight

  February 18, 2012 11:18 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Republicans were bruised by the fight over the payroll tax and want to move on to other issues now. They're promoting legislation that they say would create jobs through transportation and energy projects, lower business taxes and help companies raise capital. Democrats say they've gained momentum... more »

• Tearful Giffords says goodbye to Congress

  January 25, 2012 4:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The applause rolled through the big chamber, growing ever louder as hundreds of Republicans and Democrats suddenly realized Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was back in the House. But this time she had come to say goodbye. Fellow lawmakers gave her a fitting send-off: cheers, hugs, a... more »

• On jobs, CO lawmakers moving past rhetoric

  January 24, 2012 8:14 PM

  DENVER (AP) - If there's one thing Colorado's sharply divided Legislature agrees on, it's the importance of jobs. But Democrats and Republicans are now past the speech-making phase of the session, and their differences on how best to go about improving the economy will come to the fore. A House... more »

• Important "first-in-the-south" primary provides clues for GOP race

  January 21, 2012 10:41 AM

  CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Republicans established their presidential primary more than three decades ago as way to raise the state's national political profile. They succeeded beyond their imagination. Ever since 1980, when Ronald Reagan won the first South Carolina Republican primary, every GOP candidate who has won... more »

• Debate ramps up on payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, again

  January 15, 2012 10:59 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - How will the White House and Congress come up with the money to extend an average $20-a-week Social Security payroll tax cut without adding to the government's long-term debt. Republicans are trying to cut federal employee benefits. President Barack Obama wants to hit airline passengers with... more »

• Okla. Senate Democrats promote infant insurance

  January 12, 2012 7:12 PM

  OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate plan to file legislation this week that would require health insurers in the state to offer child-only insurance policies that covers anyone under age 18 - including newborns - not covered by family plans or Medicaid, two of the party's top... more »

• Colo. congressional redistricting suit wraps up

  October 31, 2011 12:45 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A trial over how to draw the new boundaries of Colorado's congressional districts is wrapping up in Denver. Attorneys for Democrats, Republicans and other political interests were delivering their closing arguments Monday in a case that could impact political races next year. A judge is... more »

• Deficit-cutting panel looking at benefits, taxes

  October 27, 2011 7:43 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Rival deficit-cutting plans advanced by Republicans and Democrats on Congress' secretive supercommittee would mean both smaller-than-expected cost of living benefit increases for veterans and federal retirees as well as Social Security recipients - and bump up taxes for some individuals and families. The changes would reduce... more »

• Pelosi: GOP didn't object to tea party taunts

  October 9, 2011 11:32 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi says she agrees with protesters from Wall Street to Washington who are saying most of the country isn't getting a fair shake from the financial and political establishments. Republicans are criticizing the protesters' message as divisive. Asked to respond, the California... more »

• Senate deal should avert government shutdown

  September 26, 2011 9:37 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is on track to pass a stopgap spending measure to avert a government shutdown at the end of the week. The measure appears on track to pass the Senate Monday evening. The House would pass the measure later this week. The measure drops a... more »

• Deal reached to avert transportation shutdown

  September 10, 2011 12:40 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A key Republican lawmaker says House and Senate leaders have reached a deal that averts a looming shutdown of federal highway and aviation programs. Representative John Mica of Florida, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, says the agreement clears the way for passage next week of... more »

• Parties see increase in donations this year

  August 31, 2011 8:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's two political parties are seeing more dollars flowing to their bank accounts this year, although Democrats enjoy a fundraising edge over their opponents. New federal data show that committees supporting President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats brought in $128 million since Jan. 1. Their Republican... more »

• Calif. governor calls for Obama to step up to GOP

  August 7, 2011 6:25 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - California Gov. Jerry Brown is calling for President Barack Obama to respond to Republicans in what he calls "a very powerful way" during the upcoming presidential election. Brown says the Republicans are gearing up to destroy Obama during the campaign, and he says that, in response,... more »

• Obama adviser blames tea party for downgrade

  August 7, 2011 4:19 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A top political adviser to President Barack Obama is blaming the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating on tea party Republicans, whom he says were unwilling to compromise on how to reduce the federal debt. Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod tells CBS' "Face the Nation" on... more »

• Calif. governor calls for Obama to step up to GOP

  August 7, 2011 4:08 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - California Gov. Jerry Brown is calling for President Barack Obama to respond to Republicans in what he calls "a very powerful way" during the upcoming presidential election. Brown says the Republicans are gearing up to destroy Obama during the campaign, and he says that, in response,... more »

• Lawmakers trade blame for downgrade

  August 6, 2011 8:33 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) Lawmakers trade blame for downgrade One of the world's three major credit rating agencies says there's too big a gulf between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to dealing with debt, so it's giving the government a downgrade. Standard & Poor's has bumped the U.S. credit rating... more »

• In debt drama, voters play key, if overlooked role

  July 31, 2011 4:10 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dear voter: Want to know why Democrats and Republicans in Congress find it so hard to work together to solve tough problems like the debt ceiling, health care and Social Security? Look in the mirror. Americans gripe about cowardly, self-serving politicians, and Congress doubtlessly has... more »

• Obama meets with top Dem lawmakers on debt limit

  July 30, 2011 4:21 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is stepping back into the debt-ceiling talks, calling Congress' top two Democrats to the White House for a meeting. White House aides said Obama would receive an update Saturday from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The invitation... more »

• Colorado part of Democrats Spanish-language ads, pro-Obama

  July 23, 2011 6:58 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Democrats are launching Spanish-language television ads targeting Hispanic voters in three Western states. The ad, entitled "Who to Trust", touts President Barack Obama's work on extending health insurance to children, including legal immigrant children, increasing the number of Pell Grants and cutting middle class taxes. ... more »

• Senate GOP blocks hearing on free trade bills

  June 30, 2011 3:40 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans have blocked a hearing on three trade bills because they don't want to link the deals to an extension of a program that retrains workers hurt by foreign trade. Thursday's hearing was set for Senate Finance Committee. At issue were long-stalled trade agreements with... more »

• Budget deficit looming as legislators gear up for the second half

  March 19, 2011 8:04 PM

  Legislators have known since heading to the Capitol in January that they'll be looking at a lot of bills, but their big job is making sure the dollars and cents add up. "The most pressing issue for this entire session is the budget," says Rep. Bob Gardner, (R) House... more »

• Colorado Dems hitting the road for spending ideas

  March 19, 2011 9:46 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Next year's state budget isn't going to be pretty - and Democratic lawmakers are branching out this weekend looking for constituent ideas on how to cut spending. Democratic legislators planned town hall-style meetings in a dozen different Colorado towns Saturday looking for ideas on next year's... more »

• Colorado has first divided Legislature in a decade

  January 12, 2011 4:18 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Republicans are back in charge in Colorado's House, vowing to slash spending and stick to conservative principles as the Legislature opened its 2011 session Wednesday. Their top agenda: jobs and the economy. It was the top priority for Democrats, too, as leaders from both parties promised... more »

• Big money spent on Colo. legislative races in 2010

  December 11, 2010 12:28 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Final campaign finance reports show Republican and Democratic candidates spent $2.9 million this year on the top 15 races for Colorado's Legislature. Candidates estimate outside groups spent up to 10 times that amount under new campaign finance laws. Why so much money for state legislative races?... more »

• Candidates Trick or Treating For Votes This Weekend

  October 31, 2010 12:46 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Having tried to win over undecided voters, Colorado's candidates spent yesterday trying to run up their numbers in places where they're already popular. Senate candidate Ken Buck and other Republicans were focusing on GOP-friendly turf along the Western Slope, around Colorado Springs and in Denver's southern suburbs.... more »

• Early turnout lags among Colorado independents

  October 26, 2010 8:31 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Independent voters in Colorado are voting at a slower pace than Democrats and Republicans this year. Early-voting totals released Monday by Colorado elections officials show that unaffiliated voters are way behind party members in casting early ballots. About 96,000 unafffiliated voters had voted by mid-afternoon... more »

• Buck, Hickenlooper lead top Colorado races

  October 4, 2010 8:45 AM

  Republican Senate challenger Ken Buck holds an edge over Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, while Democrat John Hickenlooper leads the gubernatorial race according to a Denver Post/9News poll. The poll published Sunday showed Buck leading Bennet 48 percent to 43 percent. In the governor's race, Hickenlooper led with 46... more »

• State Senate Republicans issue reform agenda

  September 29, 2010 3:27 PM

  Colorado state Senate Republicans have issued their reform agenda for next year. Assistant Majority Leader Greg Brophy of Wray says the GOP goal is to limit state spending to core functions and reduce Colorado's dependence on federal subsidies. Brophy says Republicans want to go to a priority-based budget... more »

• Opponents rally to oppose tax ballot measures

  September 27, 2010 1:22 PM

  Bankers and unions, Democrats and Republicans are joining together to oppose three tax measures on November's ballot. Opponents plan to meet in front of empty seats Invesco Field on Monday to illustrate 73,000 jobs they say will be lost if the measures pass. They've raised more than $6... more »

• Dems question Ken Buck's view on running the V.A.

  September 23, 2010 7:19 PM

  El Paso County Democrats are questioning G.O.P. Senate candidate Ken Buck's plans for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Democrats met in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs Thursday, concerned Buck has plans to privatize the V.A and take it out of government control. The plan was mentioned on a recent... more »

• Congressman Lamborn: Democrats went too far

  September 23, 2010 2:41 PM

  The GOP released a document today which they say they'll use a playbook if Americans return control of the House to them. "This is a pledge and Republicans are making this with one voice," said 5th District Rep. Doug Lamborn. The Pledge to American includes a promise to repeal... more »

• Poll: Independents as upset as Republicans

  September 23, 2010 8:23 AM

  An Associated Press-Gfk Poll finds that independent voters are nearly as outraged as Republicans about politics this year. Fifty-eight percent of independents and 60 percent of Republicans say politics is making them angry, compared with 31 percent of Democrats who said so. About 7 in 10 independents and... more »

• White House looks to boost health law at 6 months

  September 22, 2010 8:34 AM

  President Barack Obama once told Democratic lawmakers they'd be proud to campaign on historic health care legislation. Six months later, the only Democrats running ads about it are the ones who voted "no." Now, with crucial midterm elections approaching, the White House is preparing to use the law's six-month... more »

• Change in "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy fails in Senate

  September 21, 2010 7:15 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A Clinton administration official is assailing the Senate for failing to advance legislation that would have allowed gays to serve openly in the military. Former White House adviser Richard Socarides called today 's development in the Senate "a political train wreck." Senate Republicans blocked an effort... more »

• House Dems deeply divided over Obama tax hike

  September 15, 2010 9:05 AM

  Congressional Democrats are showing deep divisions over President Barack Obama's plan to allow taxes on the wealthy to go up. Democratic leaders committed to Obama's plan are hearing from some lawmakers who fear that raising taxes on anyone in a weak economy could be politically lethal. A group... more »

• Tea party favorite O'Donnell wins in Delaware

  September 15, 2010 8:16 AM

  The candidate backed by establishment Republicans as well as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has taken the lead over a tea-party favorite in New Hampshire's Republican Senate primary. Former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte edged ahead of Ovide Lamontagne as returns piled up after midnight. Her lead was roughly 1,000... more »

• GOP governor's group hints Colo. race a lost cause

  September 9, 2010 8:23 AM

  Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes is shrugging off the suggestion that a national GOP group won't help finance his campaign anymore and says he will continue to fight for votes. A Maes spokesman made the comments Wednesday in response to Republican Governors Association Chairman Haley Barbour's remarks hinting... more »

• Lawsuit challenges Tancredo's spot on ballot

  September 8, 2010 8:16 AM

  Two Colorado Republicans have filed a lawsuit to try to keep third-party gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo off the November ballot. The Denver Post reports that Marian Olson of Golden and Joseph Harrington of Highlands Ranch filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Denver District Court. They claim that Tancredo, a former... more »

• President Obama politicking, raising money

  August 16, 2010 8:54 AM

  President Barack Obama is touching nearly every region of the country to stir up cash and attention for Democrats, launching a three-day trip. Obama will spend the heart of his Monday in Wisconsin, raising money for gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and other Wisconsin Democrats. He will cap his... more »

• Democrats seek united front for November

  August 11, 2010 9:01 AM

  Democrats are hoping to smooth tensions after the bitter Colorado Senate primary. Party chairman Tim Kaine will be in Denver on Thursday for what the party is calling a unity rally. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet and his primary challenger, Andrew Romanoff, have both agreed to attend. Bennet overcame Romanoff's... more »

• 'Trackers' could throw Colorado election

  August 9, 2010 9:24 AM

  They're as common at campaign stops as colorful banners: hand-held cameras wielded by politicians' opponents to catch them making a stupid mistake. So how come candidates keep getting tripped up by "trackers" who record their every move? Trackers have been credited for spoiling campaigns from Virginia to Nevada. ... more »

• Obama pleads with Colorado Dems to stick with Bennet

  August 4, 2010 8:29 AM

  President Barack Obama is pleading with Colorado Democrats to stick with Sen. Michael Bennet in a primary challenge, calling the appointed senator "the person that I want alongside me." Bennet is facing a primary challenge from Andrew Romanoff, a former state lawmaker who has blasted Bennet as too cozy... more »

• Andrew Romanoff surges in Colorado Senate poll

  August 2, 2010 8:46 AM

  Democrat Andrew Romanoff has surged in his primary challenge against Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, according to a Denver Post poll. The newspaper and KUSA-TV reported Sunday that Romanoff has closed a double-digit deficit to Bennet and now holds a narrow lead of 48 percent to 45 percent, with the... more »

• Colorado democrats trade barbs over Social Security

  July 29, 2010 8:17 AM

  Two Democrats competing for the Senate nomination are trading jabs over Social Security. Sen. Michael Bennet accused his challenger Wednesday of voting to privatize Social Security in a resolution while Andrew Romanoff was in the state House. Romanoff said that the 2004 resolution favored privatizing Social Security only if... more »

• President Obama ramps up Democratic fundraising

  July 28, 2010 8:24 AM

  President Barack Obama is stepping up his fundraising efforts as the midterm elections draw closer. The president is headlining eight fundraising events during the next two weeks. Obama will tout a proposed lending initiative aimed at small businesses during remarks Wednesday at a sandwich shop in Edison, N.J. The... more »

• Colorado GOP candidates struggling

  July 26, 2010 8:47 AM

  At a time when Republicans across the nation are counting on victories in gubernatorial races, Colorado's GOP is struggling with gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates who have stumbled in recent months. The latest problems include a spat between GOP Senate candidates Jane Norton and Ken Buck touching on gender... more »

• Obama's message to voters: Things could be worse

  July 26, 2010 8:42 AM

  President Barack Obama is trying to convince a cranky electorate not to change course in mid stream -- or in this case, at mid-term. His message for the fall elections, which are looking ominous for his Democrats, is that Republicans caused the nation's economic troubles, but he and the... more »

• Colorado's Senate primary getting feisty

  July 22, 2010 8:09 AM

  With just three weeks left before Colorado's primary elections and mail-in ballots already hitting mailboxes, the sleepy Democratic Senate primary is showing more life. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet aired his first negative ad Tuesday against challenger Andrew Romanoff. The same day, Romanoff launched an attack at the incumbent. Romanoff... more »

• House bill would make school lunches healthier

  July 15, 2010 1:19 PM

  House Democrats are moving forward on first lady Michelle Obama's vision for healthier school lunches, propelling legislation that calls for tougher standards governing food in school and more meals for hungry children. The bill approved by the House Education and Labor Committee Thursday would allow the Agriculture Department to... more »

• Lawmakers head back to work after July 4 break

  July 12, 2010 9:08 AM

  Congress gets back to work today after the Fourth of July break and the White House hopes the Senate can move quickly on a top legislative priority -- the financial overhaul. As senators began their weeklong break, Democrats left town without the 60 votes needed to push through the... more »

• Conservatives gather for Colorado summit

  July 9, 2010 10:07 AM

  Conservatives gathering in suburban Denver are hoping to plot a "Contract With America"-style plan for drawing votes this fall. The Western Conservative Summit in Lone Tree includes Republican favorites such as conservative columnist Michelle Malkin and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. Participants at the three-day summit starting Friday will... more »

• Sides gearing up for November elections

  July 5, 2010 12:25 PM

  As November draws nearer, Democrats and Republicans are framing the election in vastly different ways. And the stakes couldn't be higher: all 435 House seats, 36 seats in the Senate and 37 governorships are up for grabs. Accordingly, Republicans want to have voters view this election as a referendum... more »

• Amid deficit worries,Congress trims unemployment bill

  June 16, 2010 8:24 AM

  Faced with a losing showdown vote Wednesday, Senate Democrats trying to extend unemployment benefits and help for doctors facing Medicare payment cuts are scaling back a catchall tax and spending bill. Anxiety over record budget deficits is fueling the moves, which include rolling back last year's $25 a week... more »

• Dems scale back bill to woo votes for jobless aid

  May 27, 2010 8:15 AM

  Democrats are struggling to extend jobless benefits before they go on vacation next week. Some lawmakers are concerned they'll be hammered over deficit spending even though the money is for the unemployed. House leaders hope to vote today on a bill that would extend the benefits through November, but... more »

• House Democrats pad war funding bill

  May 25, 2010 2:17 PM

  Democrats controlling the House are seeking to pad President Barack Obama's war funding request with $23 billion to help school districts avoid teacher layoffs. They're also pressing for $6 billion to make up for a funding shortfall in Pell grants for low-income college students and lesser amounts to hire... more »

• Pressure grows on BP to contain oil spill

  May 21, 2010 9:38 AM

  Thick, sticky oil crept deeper into delicate marshes of the Mississippi Delta Friday, an arrival dreaded for a month since the crude started spewing into the Gulf, as anger and frustration mounted over efforts to plug the gusher from a blown-out well and contain the spill. Up to now,... more »

• Obama 0-for-4 in endorsements

  May 20, 2010 3:02 PM

  The White House says it's not worried about four consecutive losses by Democratic candidates President Barack Obama had supported. The latest defeat came Tuesday when Sen. Arlen Specter lost to Rep. Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs gave a simple, one-word answer when asked... more »