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• Marijuana tax debate stalls in Colorado

  April 27, 2013 12:01 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Marijuana taxation brought the Colorado Legislature to a standstill early Saturday, with the House giving up and heading home without voting after the pot debate stretched past midnight. The standstill was not exactly caused by the bill to tax pot more than 30 percent, though Republicans were... more »

• Ga. debates relaxing gun laws for mentally ill

  March 7, 2013 3:20 PM

  ATLANTA (AP) - While some states push to tighten gun control laws after the Connecticut school massacre, some lawmakers in gun-friendly Georgia want to ease rules preventing some mentally ill people from getting licenses to carry firearms. Legislation up for a vote in Georgia's House on Thursday would allow people... more »

• Ga. lawmakers debate easing gun carrying rules

  March 6, 2013 4:36 PM

  ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia lawmakers will debate rules Thursday that could allow more mentally ill people to carry firearms, though hasty changes may blunt some of the impact. The issue arose as House Republicans make a last-minute push on legislation permitting school districts to arm their employees and allowing those... more »

• Two local sheriffs weigh in on gun debate Play Video

  February 13, 2013 6:45 PM

  With the gun control debate firmly in the cross hairs at the state legislature and controversial proposals to ban assault weapons, expand background checks, and limit ammo clips, local law enforcement is having a chance to weigh in. Tonight, a conversation with both the Pueblo and Fremont County Sheriffs. ... more »

• Senate and House Democrats unveil new comprehensive gun control plan Play Video

  February 5, 2013 8:53 PM

  Senate and House Democrats rolled out a series of gun control bills Tuesday they say will prevent major tragedies like the Aurora theatre shooting and Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre from happening in the future. "Gun violence is destroying our families and communities," one victim said during a press conference... more »

• Colorado Democrats to announce gun legislation

  February 5, 2013 12:23 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Democrats say they'll unveil a package of gun legislation aimed at curbing violence in the wake of the mass shootings in Aurora and at a Connecticut elementary school. Democrats in the Legislature have spoken for weeks about crafting gun bills, and they planned to announce what... more »

• Huntsman boycotts Nevada debate

  October 14, 2011 12:02 PM

  EXETER, N.H. (AP) - Jon Huntsman is boycotting next week's Republican presidential debate in Nevada. The former Utah governor and other candidates say Nevada has unfairly shifted the date of its presidential caucuses. But Huntsman becomes the first to announce plans to skip next Tuesday's nationally-televised GOP debate in protest.... more »

• Subdued Perry tries to steady campaign in Iowa

  October 9, 2011 5:39 PM

  ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry has lost some of his swagger. The Texas governor is campaigning in a more subdued and cautious tone after falling in polls in the wake of poor debate performances last month. The campaign's next debate is Tuesday. Perry stuck carefully... more »

• Congress set for votes on trade bills next week

  October 6, 2011 9:10 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is set to approve free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama next week. The House Rules Committee has voted on procedures for taking up the long-delayed agreements, the last step before they go to the House floor. The House is expected to begin the... more »

• Romney questions Perry stance on Social Security

  September 21, 2011 11:36 AM

  MIAMI (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is raising new questions in Florida about his rival Rick Perry's position on Social Security. Romney said at a Miami town hall-style meeting that Perry's proposal to have states run the retirement system won't work. Romney asks what would happen if some... more »

• To applause, Perry defends Texas death penalty

  September 8, 2011 11:22 AM

  SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry is defending the death penalty in Texas and says he's never struggled with whether any of the inmates executed during his time as governor might have been innocent. When Perry defended capital punishment, he drew strong applause from the scores of... more »

• Perry leaves Texas wildfires, heads to GOP debate

  September 7, 2011 4:42 PM

  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has left the wildfires raging in his home state and arrived in California for a Republican presidential debate. Perry suspended his campaign Sunday as his state battles a series of still-raging wildfires that have destroyed more 1,000 homes. He left Texas again... more »

• Republican debate tonight

  September 7, 2011 7:44 AM

  The Republican Presidential candidates will debate in California today. Polls show Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the lead. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachman is trailing. Gov. Perry could miss the debate though, because of the wildfires in his state. He is... more »

• President sends message to Congress to reach a deal

  July 30, 2011 10:43 AM

  In a weekly radio address President Barack Obama made reference to a ticking clock counting down to a Tuesday deadline proclaiming that the disagreements are not that great in urging Democratic and Republican lawmakers to work together in reaching a deal that would avoid a default in the US government... more »

• Vote postponed in House over debt plan

  July 26, 2011 8:45 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House GOP leaders are postponing a vote on a plan to trade more than $1 trillion in spending cuts for an increase in the government's borrowing cap that would be nearly as large. Rep. David Dreier of California says the postponement is because congressional scorekeepers said... more »

• Warning for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surrounding debt debate

  July 15, 2011 3:26 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Standard & Poor's is warning mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that they may lose their top credit ratings if lawmakers don't raise the U.S. government's borrowing limit in time to avoid a default. S&P says government-controlled Fannie and Freddie, along with certain Federal Home... more »

• Drafting a constitution on Facebook

  June 14, 2011 5:22 PM

  In modern day Iceland everyone can be James Madison or Thomas Jefferson. The citizens of the North-Atlantic nation are drafting a new constitution and they're opening debate over document to the public via social media. Serving in place of the State House of Philadelphia are Facebook, Twitter, Fllickr and YouTube.... more »

• Mayor Debate - Video

  April 19, 2011 1:00 PM

  Colorado Springs is about to elect its first "Strong Mayor" after a change in government was approved by the voters. Two men will face each other in a run-off election on May 17. The choice is between Steve Bach and Richard Skorman. News First 5 sponsored an hour-long debate... more »

• Focus on the Family survey response heats up mayoral race

  April 17, 2011 7:16 PM

  Richard Skorman and Steve Bach are fighting it out to be Colorado Springs' first strong mayor; and a tough job awaits the winner. A big part of their job will be improving the city's image following what some call negative press over the years. News First 5 helped sponsor... more »

• Runoff mayoral candidates face-off

  April 16, 2011 12:56 AM

  Voters are about one month away from the runoff election to see who will be Colorado Springs' first strong mayor; and with the field narrowed down to two, we're hearing more from the two remaining candidates. They faced off for the first debate of the runoff election on Friday at... more »

• Pot docs face new rules in Colorado

  March 12, 2011 12:14 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado's dispute over which doctors can recommend medical marijuana could become more confusing this week when state health authorities consider tighter limits at the same time lawmakers debate conflicting rules. One question is whether doctors with conditions on their medical licenses - such as a surgeon... more »

• Watch mayor candidates in 90 minute forum

  February 24, 2011 12:57 PM

  Nine candidates for mayor in Colorado Springs gathered to answer reporter questions on February 22. The forum was sponsored by the Gazette and News First 5. Colorado Springs government is about to change, with a so-called Strong Mayor form of government, so this position is more important than ever.... more »

• Nine mayoral candidates participate in debate

  February 23, 2011 12:12 AM

  Nine men vying for Colorado Springs mayor defended their views Tuesday evening at Centennial Hall. They were asked questions about the city budget, the future of Memorial Hospital, the Southern Delivery System and many other issues facing the city. This mayoral election is the first for the new... more »

• Live Stream: Colorado Springs Mayor Debate

  February 22, 2011 6:06 PM

  The nine candidates running for Colorado Springs Mayor will answer questions from reporters tonight at a public forum sponsored by News First 5 and the Gazette. Rob Quirk will moderate and reporters Jeannette Hynes and Daniel Chacon will ask questions, many of them submitted by voters. The election... more »

• Bennet , Buck on "Meet the Press"

  October 17, 2010 11:25 PM

  On the national NBC political Sunday morning talk show "Meet the Press", Senate-hopefuls Michael Bennet and Ken Buck discuss taxes and the economy. They also try to clear up some of the muddy waters on certain issues. David Gregory asked Buck to clarify his view on gays. Buck's answer... more »

• Hickenlooper: tap PERA for business loans

  October 13, 2010 8:46 AM

  Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper says the state could tap part of the $33 billion state retirement fund for loans to small businesses. Hickenlooper told workers at a prescription data center on Tuesday the state should use its assets for loans. He says the state could raise $100... more »

• Gubernatorial candidates debate in Pueblo

  October 12, 2010 11:40 PM

  The three major candidates for Colorado's governor came together in Pueblo Tuesday night for a debate in front of a packed crowd at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center. Republican candidate Dan Maes was about 25 minutes late, after getting caught in heavy traffic from a bizarre accident involving... more »

• Stimulus, Social Security dominate Pueblo Senate debate

  October 8, 2010 8:36 AM

  Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck is chastising his own party for scaring seniors with messages about cuts to Medicare. In the third Colorado Senate debate, Buck criticized GOP allies for campaigning against the health care overhaul in part by highlighting some $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next... more »

• Giron, Ortegon face-off in Senate 3 debate

  October 7, 2010 12:57 AM

  Two women running for State Senate District 3 debated in Pueblo Wednesday night. The candidates are Angela Giron (D) and Vera Ortegon (R). More than a hundred people attended the debate which was held at Pueblo Community College. Giron was appointed to the position in August, when her predecessor Abel... more »

• Strong mayor debate takes center stage

  October 5, 2010 5:11 PM

  Colorado Springs ballot initiative 300 will ask voters to create a "strong mayor" form of government, where the mayor becomes a full-time position and a member of the executive branch. It would also eliminate the city manager position. Currently, the mayor is a part-time position and part of city council,... more »

• Rasmussen poll: Buck leads Bennet by four points

  September 15, 2010 7:11 PM

  Two days from a U.S. Senate debate in Colorado Springs, a Rasmussen poll shows Republican Ken Buck leading Democrat Michael Bennet 49 percent to 45. This poll includes those leaning one way or the other. Six percent favor another candidate, and five percent are undecided. Rasmussen Reports surveyed... more »

• Bennet and Buck to debate in Colorado Springs Friday

  September 14, 2010 6:42 PM

  The two major party candidates for U.S. Senate will debate Friday night in Colorado Springs. Democrat Michael Bennet, serving out an appointment from Governor Ritter, will debate Republican Ken Buck from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Colorado Springs. The event will be streamed live on newsfirst5.com... more »

• Gubernatorial debate schedule announced

  September 7, 2010 8:35 PM

  The Republican and Democratic nominees for Colorado governor have agreed to a fall debate schedule. Dan Maes and John Hickenlooper will participate in 10 debates, including the Colorado Decides 2010 "Gubernatorial General Election Debate" that aired last week. The debate schedule is based on invitations to the candidates and... more »

• Pueblo Senate debate canceled for lack of interest

  August 3, 2010 12:38 PM

  Are voters getting tired of Colorado's Senate primary candidates? The folks in southern Colorado appear to be, with a major debate planned in Pueblo being canceled for lack of interest. Action 22, a civic group that advocates for 22 southern Colorado counties, planned to play host to Democrat Andrew... more »

• Sheriff candidate debate set for tonight

  July 1, 2010 4:53 PM

  The two Republican candidates for El Paso County sheriff will meet in a debate cosponsored by The Gazette and KOAA-TV News First 5. Sheriff Terry Maketa, who is seeking a third term as the county's top law officer, and Monument Police Chief Jake Shirk, will present their platforms and... more »

• Republican candidates debate in Colorado Springs

  March 10, 2010 12:16 AM

  Hundreds turned out for a debate between several republican candidates vying for state positions in the November election. "Candidate Search 2010" was organized by several conservative groups to give voters a chance to hear from some of the contenders. "I'm hoping to have more information from them as... more »

• Raw milk debate spills into Capitols, courts

  February 22, 2010 6:26 PM

  Debate about the health attributes and risks of raw milk is spilling into statehouses and courtrooms across the country. Proponents of unpasteurized dairy products are pushing to make them easier for consumers to buy. Supporters of the raw milk cause say the pasteurization process of heating milk to... more »

• Bennet, Romanoff hold 1st debate in Senate race

  February 17, 2010 10:09 AM

  In the first debate between Colorado's two Democrats running for the U.S. Senate, former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff railed against special interests that he says are subsidizing some in Congress. Sen. Michael Bennet said he wouldn't defend the Senate and should be judged on his own record. Supporters cheered... more »

• Cowboys versus Indians debate swirls at CSU-Fort Collins

  February 5, 2010 12:10 PM

  A controversy over wearing Indian garb to a Colorado State University basketball game has top administrators meeting with students. Friday's meeting was called to talk about a Facebook page set up by a student. A sophomore basketball fan asked Colorado State fans to wear American Indian clothes for an... more »

• Pueblo Marijuana Debate

  December 15, 2009 5:25 AM

  It's a battle seemingly being fought all over the state. What to do with businesses that want to sell medical marijuana to card carrying patents? In the Pueblo City Council's case that answer seems to be to wait it out for now. "If the state is going to change the... more »

• Hackers use UK school's e-mails in climate debate

  November 21, 2009 12:22 PM

  A British university says computer hackers have broken into its world-renowned climate change research department and posted the contents of e-mails and research on the Internet. The University of East Anglia said in a statement Saturday that it has asked police to investigate the theft of information related to... more »

• Republican says she'll back the Baucus health bill

  October 13, 2009 2:55 PM

  Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe broke with her party Tuesday and said she will vote for a Democratic health care bill, handing President Barack Obama a much-sought boost in his quest to expand access to medical coverage to all Americans. Approval of the legislation by the Senate Finance Committee was... more »

• 15 doctors behind most pot referrals in Colorado

  August 31, 2009 9:15 AM

  Statistics from the Colorado health department show two doctors are responsible for referring more than a third of the patients on the state's medical-marijuana registry. The Denver Post reports that of the roughly 10,000 medical-marijuana patients on the registry, 75 percent received their recommendations from one of 15 doctors. ... more »