Colorado lawmakers pass campus safety bill; New federal data reveals thousands of Colorado utility shutoffs; State GOP fails last-minute bid to block unaffiliated voters

Headlines Wednesday, April 29, 2026

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    Colorado lawmakers pass campus safety bill; New federal data reveals thousands of Colorado utility shutoffs; State GOP fails last-minute bid to block unaffiliated voters KGNU News

Colorado lawmakers pass campus safety bill

Colorado lawmakers have passed a bill requiring universities to respond faster to missing student reports following the death of CU Boulder student Megan Trussell last year. According to the Daily Camera, Senate Bill 120 passed the Statehouse on Monday and now awaits the Governor’s signature.

The legislation mandates that colleges conduct a wellness check or alert police within six hours of a report, two hours faster than the current state standard for missing adults. Supporters say these stricter timelines are critical for saving lives during the first few hours of a disappearance.

The bill passed the House with a 60-3 vote following a unanimous victory in the Senate. In addition to the new response timelines, the measure mandates that all prospective police officers receive specialized training on the state’s various missing person alert systems.

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New federal data reveals thousands of Colorado utility shutoffs

A first-of-its-kind federal report reveals that over 133,000 Colorado households had their electricity disconnected for nonpayment last year, while more than 5,000 lost natural gas service. These inaugural figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration come as part of a new nationwide effort to track the impact of rising energy costs on American families.

The report highlights a growing strain on consumers as utilities increase rates to fund new infrastructure for data centers and electric vehicles, with national rates doubling to $31 billion this year. In Colorado, applications for bill payment assistance have surged by 40%, even as state regulators maintain strict bans on disconnections during periods of extreme heat or cold.

To combat these rising numbers, officials are pointing consumers toward the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator and other low-income assistance programs that are required for all major utilities. As reported by the Denver Post, final notices happen frequently, actual disconnections remain a small fraction of those warnings, and help is available for those struggling to keep the lights on.

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Lawmakers approve bill to provide abortion medications on campuses

Lawmakers in the Colorado House approved a bill Monday that would require colleges and universities in the state to provide access to abortion medication.

Campuses with a pharmacy would have to keep abortion pills in stock. At schools without pharmacies, health centers would have to either distribute the medication directly or provide a prescription.

The bill would apply to both public and private colleges, but schools with religious affiliations could opt out. Abortion medication is commonly used and considered safe by major medical organizations. The bill now moves to consideration in the Senate.

 

Colorado GOP fails last-minute bid to block unaffiliated voters

A federal judge has rejected an emergency request by the Colorado Republican Party to block unaffiliated voters from participating in the upcoming primary on June 30th. U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer ruled on Tuesday that changing the rules so close to the ballot certification deadline would cause unnecessary confusion for the electorate.

The GOP’s legal team argued that including non-party members causes “irreparable constitutional injury”, a claim countered by the state’s four Republican members of Congress, who warned the move would spark chaos. Since 2018, Colorado law has allowed unaffiliated voters, who now make up the majority of the state’s registered electorate, to cast ballots in either major party’s primary.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold praised the decision, noting it ensures the primary will proceed according to the already established state law. With military and overseas ballots scheduled to be sent out in May, the ruling keeps the current primary system as is for this election cycle.

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You can hear daily headlines on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show, with coverage of local and regional public affairs and news with headlines and commentary. Click here to listen to full episodes of the Morning Magazine.

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