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Developments in Boulder’s recent police shooting and CO GOP threatens to withdraw form Primary Alexis Kenyon
State GOP Threatens Primary Withdrawal Over Trump Ban
State Republican Party officials are threatening to withdraw from the upcoming primary if Donald Trump is not allowed on the ballot. State GOP chair Dave Williams also said that if election officials don’t cancel the Colorado Republican primary, the party will ignore the results.
The Colorado Secretary of State says that state law doesn’t allow cancellation of the primary at the request of a political party. She said in a written statement that if state Republicans try ignoring the results, the matter could end up in court.
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Trump’s involvement in the January 6th, 2021 insurrection violated the constitution’s 14th amendment and disqualifies him from holding office.
Boulder Police Fatal Shooting
Boulder Police say they believe the woman shot and killed on Sunday has a history of using fake handguns to commit crimes.
The Denver Gazette, citing the Denver District Attorney’s Office, reported that a woman identified as Jeanette Alatorre was charged with aggravated robbery and motor vehicle theft following an incident in April 2022. That person used a realistic but fake, handgun in committing the crime. She had a different birth date than the 51-year-old Jeanette Alatorre who police shot near North Boulder rec. Center at 4 pm on Sunday. However, according to the Denver Gazette, Jeanette Alatorre has a history of using different aliases.
In the 2022 case, Jeanette Alatorre pleaded guilty and was sentenced to thirty days in jail and three years of probation.
Boulder police say the Jeanette Alatorre fatally shot last Sunday had pointed a realistic fake gun at someone near the North Boulder Recreation Center. The person called the police, which resulted in the deadly encounter.
The two officers who fired shots are on paid administrative leave as the case is investigated.
Christian Glass Trial
A former Clear Creek County deputy charged with fatally shooting a Boulder man last year now has a trial date. KGNU’s Pam Johnson has the story.
A judge ruled yesterday that Andrew Buen, charged with second-degree manslaughter, will go to trial on April 8th in Clear Creek County. Buen is one of 8 officers from various agencies charged in connection with the 2022 shooting death of Christian Glass. 22-year-old Glass, a resident of Boulder, called 911 for assistance when his vehicle became stuck in Clear Creek County. He informed the dispatcher that he had tools for geology, including a hammer, in his vehicle.
According to video footage, Glass, whose parents say was having a mental health crisis, offered to remove the tools through a car window. The now former Deputy Buen declined. The conflict escalated, and Buen eventually shot and killed Glass. Glass’ parents have been advocating for changes that could result in a better outcome for future young people who call 911 during a mental health crisis.
McClain Paramedics Closing Arguments
Jury deliberations are expected to begin today in the trial of two paramedics charged in connection with the 2019 death of Elijah McClain.
Paramedics Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper are both charged with reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and assault.
23-year-old Elijah McClain died in 2019 after police held him in a carotid hold and paramedics injected him with ketamine.
Prosecutors say the paramedics gave McClain too high a dose, but the defense says they were following protocol and acting properly.
The prosecution and defense both completed their closing arguments yesterday.
Colorado Tax Refunds
Colorado taxpayers can expect an extra $800 in their state income tax returns next year.
State officials say the refunds are based on revenues that were collected beyond the cap set by TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, approved by Colorado voters in 1992.
According to the Denver Post, officials say taxpayers will see the $800 in the form of higher refunds or reduced tax bills. In previous years, the state has mailed tax refund checks directly to residents.
State lawmakers voted to give out flat-rate TABOR refunds to everyone during a special session last month.
Colorado Gun Laws Rating
Colorado’s new gun safety laws have led to an improved ranking from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
The Center is giving Colorado an A-minus, up from a C-plus for the years 2021 to 2023.
The group said, in a statement this week, that Colorado’s strong laws and comparably low gun death rate demonstrate that strong gun laws save lives.
Earlier this year, Colorado enacted a new waiting period on the purchase of firearms, banned untraceable, so-called “ghost” guns, raised the minimum age to buy a gun, and invested $1,000,000 in community violence intervention.
Colorado’s failure to ban assault weapons kept it from getting an A.
Colorado River Basin Proposals
Members of the Colorado River Basin States will begin crafting proposals early next year on how to use better and share the river. The goal is to finalize a new agreement by the end of 2026.
That’s the outcome of a meeting of the Colorado River Water Users Association conference last week in Las Vegas.
Member state negotiators say their options on deciding how to share the river’s limited supply are litigation, legislation, or negotiation. Most agree that negotiating is the best choice. Wyoming’s water commissioner said a consensus solution is the only option that reduces risk to those who need the water.
The seven member states are Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Heavy Holiday Travel At DIA
Denver International Airport is in the midst of one of its busiest times of the year this week.
More than 600,000 travelers are expected to pass through DIA checkpoints between this past Monday and next Tuesday, according to an airport press release. The two busiest days will be tomorrow and next Tuesday.
All those holiday travelers represent an eight percent increase over last year.
DIA officials say Christmas carolers and piano performances in Jeppesen Terminal’s Great Hall will help ease the stress.
