Gov. Bill Ritter announced yesterday the dates of four furlough days for state government. And taking a page right out of Mayor John Hickenlooper's playbook, the state has conveniently scheduled its new unpaid days off adjacent to paid holidays. At the risk of raining on state employees' parade, we ask why long weekends should be made even longer causing state services to be inaccessible for up to four days at a time.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: John Hickenlooper
Follow this topic by RSS1/28: Hickenlooper's tax tap dance
John Hickenlooper is against tax increases. Except for when he's for them.
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John Hickenlooper takes over for the D's
Following the announcement Gov. Bill Ritter would not seek re-election, Denver mayor John Hickenlooper has announced he will take the reins for Colorado Democrats. How does the switch affect each party's prospects in November?
Play audio - 20:34 minutes
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Why not 'furlough' some paid holidays?
July 23, 2009Segment 2 - A union-backed challenger to Ritter? Plus: Where does all the tourism $ go?
FTS staff writer Rachel Boxer has details on two stories posted to Face The State this week: Union interests have been shopping around for a challenger to primary Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010, but so far three Democrats have turned down the offer. Plus, is there any accountability for the over $10 million in state money spent every year to promote tourism?
Play audio - 9:53 minutes
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Political cartoon for 6/12: Ritter kicks back
Face The State Humor
June 12, 2009
Gov. Bill Ritter recently named Don Elliman to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer for the state, tasked with overseeing Colorado's use of federal stimulus money. Critics question the need for a new high-paying government position, saying Ritter should be protecting the taxpayers' interest in the normal course of his duties.
In his usual no-holds-barred style, FTS cartoonist Milton takes a look at the internal politicking behind the appointment and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's recent announcement he would not launch a primary challenge against Ritter.
6/11: Sweat it out for the environment
Be a good citizen: turn up your thermostat this summer.
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Segment 1 - The week's news: CU alums deliver; big spending at CSU; sweatin' it at work
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin wrap up the week in Colorado news. More alumni than ever are donating to the University of Colorado, but that doesn't stop the implementation of a new, mandatory fee for students. North in Fort Collins, the Coloradoan reports CSU spends $60,000 in a single month on food and entertainment. And Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper want you to sweat it out for the environment.
Play audio - 14:14 minutes
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Despite Wray wind turbine debacle, Ritter still touting carbon offsets
April 23, 2009
Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper love a good media opportunity, so in honor of Earth Day the pair announced a $100,000 donation from the Democratic National Convention’s 2008 Host Committee for carbon-offset projects.
Curiously, there was no mention of the Wray wind turbine, which was tapped for the DNC’s carbon-offset program last August but didn’t generate any electricity.
4/23: The Teflon Mayor's day off
Denver's "Teflon Mayor" John Hickenlooper is pressing his luck - again.
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Second Denver furlough day gives workers another four-day weekend
April 16, 2009Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's plan to give city employees a day off and save taxpayers some cash sounds nice, especially if you're a city employee and the deal means you keep getting four or five-day weekends.
The latest with Denver's Teflon Mayor
April 1, 2009Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has long been affectionately known as the city's "Teflon Mayor", having previously avoided any meaningful association with the city's many woes. But now, in the aftermath of his controversial decision to help lessen the impact of the city's revenue shortfall by firing 11 Denver sheriff's deputies, he may have to put in some overtime on a reputation makeover.
Denver made the wrong choice on furlough schedule
March 31, 2009Coming back to work after a five day vacation is tough. Just ask Denver's city employees this morning.
After a blizzard hammered Colorado Thursday morning, which sent nearly everyone home early, most city workers also enjoyed Friday off.
Segment 2 - Hickenlooper's not-so-delicate budget balance
Staff writer Rachel Boxer gets in-depth on Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's looming budget deficit, and the difficulties he encounters dealing with organized labor.
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Denver weather closures: a government conspiracy?
March 26, 2009So everything on Colorado's front range came to a screeching halt today thanks to a healthy dumping of spring snow. The skeptic in us asks - where'd this sudden change in the weather come from? Is Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper perched atop the Republic Plaza building with a newly-functional weather control device? Stranger things have happened...
Hickenlooper supports pay raises in face of $56 million shortfall
A Face the State Staff Report
March 24, 2009
As Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper struggles to close to city’s $56 million budget gap by cutting sheriff's deputies and raising taxes on historic properties, he is still supporting pay raises for some city employees.
Black anthem singer back in Denver to explain actions
A Face the State Staff Report
February 13, 2009
The woman who shocked Denver and the nation last summer by injecting lyrics fom the “Black National Anthem” into her rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner," was in Denver Thursday night to once again sing, but also to share the story of what lead to her headline grabbing performance.
Segment 1 - The week in Colorado news
Brad Jones and Kate Melvin review the week that was in Colorado news.
Play audio - 10:05 minutes
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Hickenlooper seeks cuts...just weeks after pushing for pay raises
January 16, 2009The Denver Post is reporting today that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper plans to “slash an additional $22 million from the city's budget next year — beyond the $34 million in budget cuts in place or proposed.”
FTS HUMOR: A Day at the U.S. Senate Job Fair
Face The State Humor
January 8, 2009By Andrew Ripemoff
The scene: December 2008. Governor Ritter needs to pick a new U.S. Senator. At a large convention hall in Denver, he sits behind a folding table, greeting applicants as the very first "Colorado Open Senate Seat Job Fair" gets under way.
Bennet's vertical move means taking a pay cut
January 3, 2009
If Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet is appointed to the U.S. Senate later today as expected, he will actually be taking a pay cut while simultaneously moving to a substantially more expensive city.
Segment 2 - Who will replace Ken Salazar?
Political consultant Reed Galen helps analyze the political fallout from U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's appointment as Secretary of the Interior, including potential candidates for his replacement.
Play audio - 8:31 minutes
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Mason v. Mitch, round 420
December 22, 2008Denver's favorite marijuana activist, Mason Tvert, is mad. Again.
Tvert, who has led successful campaigns to decriminalize marijuana and make marijuana prosecution the city's lowest law enforcement priority, is upset that Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey plans to crack down on parents growing the plant.
Mike May: Romanoff for U.S. Senate
December 21, 2008
During a media availability Friday, House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, answered questions about everything from the ethics investigation that delayed his resignation to the state's projected $604 million budget shortfall, and even offered his recommendation for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's replacement.
Gender politics 101
December 21, 2008For all his talk of supporting diversity, Gov. Bill Ritter sure loves white guys. And not everyone is happy.
Segment 3 - Reporter Mike Saccone on Buescher, U.S. Senate prospects
FTS visits with Grand Junction Daily Sentinel political reporter Mike Saccone for the latest on state Rep. Bernie Buescher's appointment to the office of Secretary of State, and western slope contenders for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's senate seat. Gov. Bill Ritter is slated to appoint a replacement for Salazar, who is vacating his seat to serve as Secretary of the Interior.
Play audio - 8:53 minutes
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Segment 1 - The week's news: It's OK to smoke in Aspen; ending homelessness?
FTS Blog Wrangler/news aggregator extraordinaire Kate Melvin helps recap the week in Colorado news.
Play audio - 12:20 minutes
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Scenarios emerge about contenders for Salazar Senate seat
A Face the State Staff Report
December 16, 2008
In the aftermath of U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's acceptance of President-elect Obama's nomination to become secretary of the Interior, fellow Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter will be tasked with appointing Salazar's replacement to the U.S. Senate.