Headlines — June 8, 2022

June 8, 2022

Listen:

[Download Audio]

Gov. Polis To Sign Healthcare Price Transparency Measure Into Law

Gov. Jared Polis is scheduled to sign a law that protects consumers from certain healthcare debt collection actions. The bill, HB-285 prohibits hospitals and other healthcare providers from collecting debts if they are out of compliance with pricing transparency mandates. Supporters of the legislation say it will protect Coloradans from price gouging and surprise medical bills. The bill signing will take place Wednesday morning at the Governor’s office in the capitol building.

Among those invited to attend the signing ceremony is Colorado resident Lisa French, who was billed nearly $300,000 for a surgery she was told would cost about $1300.

Several Boulder County Cities Consider Stricter Gun Ordinances

Multiple Boulder county cities and towns met to discuss and vote on new gun control ordinances last night. The ordinances would ban the sale of assault weapons and magazines containing over 10 rounds, raise the gun purchasing minimum age to 21, prohibit concealed carry in some places, require a 10-day waiting period for gun purchases, and require gun stores to provide more signage about the dangers of guns. 

So far Boulder City Council has passed five gun-related ordinances. Louisville has passed six ordinances. Lafayette passed four ordinances and a resolution to strengthen gun control. 

Boulder County Officials Say Equipment Is Ready To Tally Primary Votes

Boulder County officials announced this week that ballots and vote-counting equipment is ready for Boulder’s June 28 primary vote. 

The Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s office has confirmed the equipment’s ability to read ballots and accurately count votes. 

Representatives from both Democratic and Republican parties took part in a multi-ccuracy test that included a mock vote. After the voting, the test board compared the machine numbers to a verbal tally. 

The city will send ballots out in the mail on Monday.

Average Gas Price Jumps Overnight In Colorado

Average gas prices rose by 10 cents per gallon overnight in Colorado- setting an all-time high for the state. As of Tuesday, the average price for a gallon is $4.72 according to AAA Colorado. 

Gas jumped 45 cents higher than one week ago in Colorado and is $1.55 more than last year. A gallon of diesel is now $5.46, which sets a record in the state.

On Monday, the statewide average was $4.62, last Tuesday $4.27, and $4.05 last month.  

Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, told 9news that at some point, drivers may change their daily driving habits or lifestyle because of these high prices, but are not there yet.

Boulder County Area Agency On Aging Hosts Medicare Events

The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, or BCAAA, is inviting residents to connect with their team and that of the Boulder County State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP.

Throughout the summer, BCAAA and SHIP will have programs related to Medicare, like how to prevent and detect Medicare fraud, how to compare plans, counseling and more.

More information and registration can be found at the BCAAA county website.

Boulder’s Tube To Work Day Returns, Opens Registration For July Event

After a long pandemic hiatus, Boulders Tube to Work Day is back. Registration for the event is now open and is tentatively scheduled for July 15. If water conditions are too high, they will move the event to July 29.

The popular event has had over 1,000 people in recent years. This year the city has capped the event to 800 participants. There is a $20 registration fee, that the city, in part uses to cover insurance costs. 

They also require helmets, closed-toed shoes, life jackets, waivers and a tube to take part.

Jefferson County Primary Race Pits Moderate Republicans With Far Right

The Republican primary race for House District 25, a newly drawn district in Jefferson County, is competitive this year. Incumbent state representative Colin Larson, who currently represents House District 22, is up against far right conservative nominee Dede Wagner, a retired teacher who has expressed belief in the Q Anon conspiracy theory. 

Wagner who self-identifies as a “constitutional conservative,” has criticized Larson’s voting history, calling him a “Littleton Liberal.” 

Larson has repeatedly voted moderately in the House and sponsored mostly bipartisan bills. Along with voting against a Republican-sponsored bill amendment calling for an audit of the 2020 and 2021 elections, he’s voted to support laws prohibiting conversion therapy for minors.

According to her campaign website, Wagner does not support “red flag” gun laws, mask mandates, or critical race theory in schools. 

The winner of this month’s June 28 primary will go up against Democratic State Senator Tammy Story in the fall. Story will run for a House seat after a redistricting commission redrew her Senate district in 2021. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download