Colorado House GOP announces committee assignments for 2026 session
The Colorado House’s Republican leadership has announced its members’ committee assignments for the 2026 legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.
“These committee assignments showcase our readiness to bring accountability and common sense back into the legislative process,” said Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, R-Colorado Springs. “The members chosen for these committees understand the challenges families are facing, and they are prepared to scrutinize every proposal through the lens of affordability, safety, and responsible government. House Republicans will be an active and effective voice for the millions of Coloradans who expect better results from their state government.”
EDITORIAL: A Colorado campus relents on free speech
The student government at Fort Lewis College in Durango made national news the other day when it voted to block a conservative group from organizing a campus chapter. Then, just last Friday, the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College reversed itself and voted unanimously to let Turning Point USA set up shop after all.
“It was strange,” chapter organizer Jonah Flynn, a Fort Lewis senior, told Fox News over the weekend. “They put us in a tiny room, with at least 100 people being forced to wait outside. Tons of local conservatives, students and community members. Inside the meeting, we got to speak briefly, and they immediately voted and unanimously approved it.”
The one-eighty was fast if inevitable. Given the drama preceding the original vote to bar Turning Point — an hours-long public hearing; sobbing campus activists; denunciations of “hateful” remarks by the group’s slain co-founder, Charlie Kirk — you might expect a bit more grandstanding before the elected student leaders caved.
Gov. Jared Polis seeks $12M to house suspects declared incompetent
Colorado is planning to invest up to $12 million to fund additional commitment beds for individuals declared incompetent to proceed to trial, Gov. Jared Polis has announced.
In a recent news conference on the state budget, Polis announced plans to request $8 million to $12 million in general fund dollars for additional civil commitment beds in mental health facilities statewide to accommodate individuals who are declared incompetent to stand trial by a judge.
The funding request will be outlined in legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, possibly alongside House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, R-Colorado Springs, and Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa.
Fort Lewis College faces backlash from Republicans after denying Turning Point USA chapter
Republican legislators criticized the student government at Durango’s Fort Lewis College for rejecting a proposal to establish a Turning Point USA chapter on campus.
Turning Point USA is a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative issues on high school and college campuses. Its founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated during a campus event in Utah in September.
According to the
Durango Herald, more than 30 students spoke on the matter during a four-hour-long meeting last week, with most expressing opposition to the proposal.
'Remembering October 7th' candlelight vigil to be held in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — October 7 is Tuesday, marking two years since the October 7th attacks that left 1,139 dead in Israel and kicked off a war that has killed tens of thousands in its wake in the Middle East.
Locally, First Amendment Media, along with community leaders, will be hosting a "Remember October 7th" candlelight vigil in Acacia Park to remember and honor the lives lost on October 7th.
Colorado House Republicans elect Jarvis Caldwell as new minority leader
(COLORADO) — Colorado House Republicans elected State Representative Jarvis Caldwell from Monument as their new leader on Saturday, Sept. 20, following the resignation of former leader Rose Pugliese of Colorado Springs.
The election took place remotely on Saturday at 8 a.m., marking a significant change in leadership for the Colorado House Republicans. Caldwell, who is in his first year in the House, will step into the role after Pugliese resigned last week, citing a toxic environment at the Capitol as her reason for stepping down.
23 new lawmakers enter Colorado Legislature in 2025
About one quarter of Colorado legislators next session will be new to the Capitol building. The bulk of them will be representatives stepping into their first term in office.
Seven current representatives will also shuffle to the Senate. That includes Democratic Sens.-elect Marc Snyder, Cathy Kipp, Judy Amabile, Lindsey Daugherty and Mike Weissman, and Republican Sens.-elect Lisa Frizell and Marc Catlin.
READ MORE —>
Jarvis Caldwell announces candidacy for House District 20
Jarvis Caldwell, who worked for the Colorado House Republicans as a legislative aide and later as communications director, announced Monday he will seek the House District 20 seat.
Rep. Don Wilson, R-Monument, who currently serves the district, announced recently he will not seek a second term and will instead run for El Paso County commissioner.