Klingenschmitt’s latest remarks require GOP action, Democrats say

Colorado state Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt struck again this week with remarks about gay Boy Scout leaders — and Democrats argue that verbal condemnations from Republicans are not enough.

“What they’re going to do is promote homosexual men to mentoring and camping with your boys in the woods, and it will lead to child abuse,” Klingenschmitt said. “The children are in danger.”

Quoting the Bible, Klingenschmitt said, “Whoever causes one of those little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

See the clipped video above, or the whole video here.

| July 28, 2015, 8:08 pm

In deeper dive, poll shows mixed results for Michael Bennet

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (Denver Post file photo)

The latest Quinnipiac University poll numbers offered an intriguing glimpse at Colorado’s U.S. Senate race a year before the action starts.

If the election were held today, Colorado voters don’t believe U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet deserves a second term, with 32 percent supporting him and 40 percent opposed. Another 28 percent are undecided about the Denver Democrat, according to the poll.

His approval rating is better — and may be a better indication of the fight ahead for Republicans seeking to challenge him. His approval is 41 percent to 34 percent disapproving and 25 percent undecided. The poll’s margin of error is 2.8 percentage points.

The poll’s methodology is raising questions — Quinnipiac doesn’t work from a voter list, it may under-represent Latinos and women, and can oversample Republicans, all complaints Democrats are lodging — as is the polling firm’s mixed record in Colorado, given the misses in the 2012 presidential election and the 2014 governor’s race.

But right now, the Quinnipiac surveys are the only public polls we are seeing. (The Democratic Public Policy Polling is another frequent pollster, but the North Carolina-based firm hasn’t released a survey since November 2014, when it found Bennet’s approval at 30 percent with 35 percent disapproving.)

The latest numbers are generating the expected split reaction.

| July 28, 2015, 6:16 pm

Supporters push to name new Denver rec center after late councilwoman

The latest rendering from BRS Architecture of the Central Denver Recreation Center. (Provided by city of Denver)

UPDATED (3:15 p.m. Wednesday): Corrected to reflect Paul Weiss’ clarification that Gov. John Hickenlooper’s comment about Madison was made after her death, not in support of the renaming petition.

Former Denver Councilwoman Carla Madison, who died of cancer in 2011. (Handout photo)

Late Denver City Councilwoman Carla Madison deserves the honor of serving as the namesake for the planned Central Denver Recreation Center, says a group of supporters led by her husband.

Another group is collecting petition signatures in support of another option: Ernestine McClain Smith, an entertainer who also was a 40-year employee of Denver Parks and Recreation as well as the co-author of books on Denver’s African-American history.

A groundbreaking for the recreation center is planned for next month at Colfax Avenue and Josephine Street, near City Park and East High School. The $32 million project will construct Denver’s first multi-story, urban-style recreation center.

The push to name the rec center after Madison is being led by Paul Weiss, the late councilwoman’s husband. Madison, who represented District 8 after spending years as a City Park West neighborhood advocate, died in 2011 at age 54 after a long battle with cancer.

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Categories: Colorado Government, Colorado History, Denver City Hall

| July 25, 2015, 9:34 pm

Goodbye, dear Spot readers

The day it was announced that the Rocky Mountain News was closing and would publish its final edition the next day I walked into the lobby to get some lunch. I found myself in an unfamiliar situation: on the other side of the cameras. I left the Rocky in February 2009 and joined The Denver Post the next week. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)

The day it was announced that the Rocky Mountain News was closing and would publish its final edition I walked into the lobby on my way to get some lunch. I found myself in an unfamiliar situation: on the other side of the cameras and tape recorders. I left the Rocky in February 2009 and joined The Denver Post the next week. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)

Dear readers of The Spot:

Words matter. So do journalists. That’s why writing my last post for The Denver Post’s awarding-winning blog hurts.

Some of you have loved The Spot. Others weren’t as friendly and you made that known in the “comments” section.

It’s nice to know I made a difference as a journalist. I got an e-mail Saturday from the family of Ellis McFadden, a longtime volunteer who died of throat cancer this month. McFadden’s brother, Bob, Bob’s wife, Carla, and their family were appreciative that I had chronicled his passing and his memorial service on The Spot.

| July 24, 2015, 9:46 am

Cory Gardner, Mark Udall’s mouthpieces pop the question

Democrat Chris Harris and his fiancee, Kate Conway. (Harris photo)

Do you know what made the Senate campaign trail more fun for Alex Siciliano and Chris Harris as they fielded calls from people like me about Cory Gardner and Mark Udall, respectively?

Knowing they had someone back home waiting for them.

The two spokesmen got engaged this year to their significant others.

After Udall lost the election, Harris went to work for Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat. He and Kate Conway got engaged on July 18. They haven’t set a date yet for their wedding.

When asked about the engagement, Harris sent a reply that made me laugh. If you followed Udall last year, you’ll recognize that every line was uttered on the campaign trail by his candidate.

“Falling in love is a lot like climbing a mountain because the first step is often the most intimidating and you can’t ever stop working at it,” Harris said. “I fell for Kate because I knew that through hell and high water, we’d always share our special way of life. Living the rest of my life without her by my side every step of the way would simply be backwards and wrong.”

| July 23, 2015, 10:38 am

Sallie Clark: El Paso County commissioner makes the big time

El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark this month became president of the National Association of Counties, the first Colorado commissioner to ever hold the post. (Provided by NACo/Sallie Clark)

El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark this month became president of the National Association of Counties. Clark, of Colorado Springs, is the first Colorado commissioner to ever hold the post. (Provided by NACo/Sallie Clark)

As the daughter of a mayor, Sallie Clark answered plenty of calls at home from people wanting to talk to her dad about barking dogs and garbage pickup and potholes, but she never thought she’d go into politics.

“I was really shy growing up and I didn’t like to talk to people,” she said. “Obviously, I’ve gotten over that.”

Obviously.

Clark, an El Paso County commissioner, this month became president of the National Association of Counties — the first Colorado commissioner ever elected to the post. For the next year, she’ll do a lot of talking as she travels the country.

“It’s so important to have a strong voice for counties on issues that impact our citizens and local government,” she said. “NACo is focused on pushing back against unfunded federal mandates and over-regulation.”

| July 22, 2015, 7:31 am

Gay-rights group One Colorado to honor allies on Aug. 22

Kelly Brough, CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

The leaders of two chambers of commerce along with attorney Ted Trimpa are among those who will be honored Aug. 22 by One Colorado, the state’s largest advocacy organization for gay and transgender rights.

Trimpa is receiving the lifetime achievement award, which prompted former state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald to say: “I certainly believe he deserves a lifetime achievement award — although he is pretty young– because he is one of those people who makes government work.”

Diedra Garcia, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver. (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/ The Denver Post)

The event is being held at the Four Seasons Hotel. One Colorado has information on tickets.

Awards are being given to:

Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Deidra Garcia, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver.

Marty Chernoff, who helped co-found Tracks nightclub and the Exdo Center

Rosemary Harris Lytle, president of the Colorado/Montana/Wyoming chapter of the NAACP.

Categories: Colorado Politics, Education, Social Policy

| July 21, 2015, 6:09 pm

Denver City Council re-elects Chris Herndon president in split vote; new members get committees

New members took part in their first meeting of the Denver City Council on Monday, including, from left, Wayne New, Jolon Clark, Stacie Gilmore and Rafael Espinoza. (Jon Murray, The Denver Post)

Denver City Council President Chris Herndon receives a ceremonial gavel from member Mary Beth Susman for serving in that role in the last year. He was re-elected president for another year Monday. (Jon Murray, The Denver Post)

Despite weeks of behind-the-scenes campaigning by Denver City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega for a shot at the presidency, the result of the council’s leadership vote Monday night was another year in that slot for Chris Herndon.

Ortega continued working the phones, but it was apparent by late last week that Herndon had secured enough pledged votes. Nine members voted for Herndon, and four for Ortega.

It was the first non-unanimous vote for council president in at least five years, according to a quick check of meeting minutes. (The usual practice has been for any competition to be settled ahead of the vote.)

Denver City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega. (Campaign photo)

But Ortega said her motivation in challenging Herndon was that the council president should rotate each year. She still offered her name Monday, she said, to provide a choice.

In nominating her, new member Kevin Flynn echoed that argument, telling Herndon Monday: “From all accounts, and from personal experience, Mr. President, I believe you have done a very good job as president the past year. My personal belief as an incoming member is that the council presidency should rotate among members annually, and that is the reason that I have agreed to place Councilwoman Ortega’s name in nomination.”

Besides Flynn, newcomer Paul Kashmann and returning fellow at-large member Robin Kniech also voted for Ortega, who herself cast the fourth vote.

| July 21, 2015, 7:20 am

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, others celebrate at inaugural party

George Merritt, who now lobbies for Denver International Airport, and Denver City Attorney Scott Martinez, at the Denver inaugural party at the Botanic Gardens Monday night. Merritt, a former Denver Post reporter and political consultant who moved to Kansas City, has moved back to Denver. His first day on the job was Monday. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

George Merritt, who now is the director of governmental affairs for Denver International Airport, and Denver City Attorney Scott Martinez, at the Denver inaugural party at the Botanic Gardens Monday night. Merritt, a former Denver Post reporter and political consultant who moved to Kansas City, has moved back to Denver. His first day on the job was Monday. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Alton Dillard, spokesman for Denver Elections, and former state Sen. President Peter Groff, celebrate at an inaugural party Monday at the Denver Botanical Gardners. The pair grew up together in Denver. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Alton Dillard, spokesman for Denver Elections, and former state Sen. President Peter Groff, celebrate at Denver’s inaugural party Monday at the Denver Botanical Gardens. The pair grew up together in Denver. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)

Denver’s inaugural party Monday night for Mayor Michael Hancock and other city officials attracted a variety of bold-face names, plenty of candidates and others just wanting to get down with some free food and music.

Among those in attendance: Denver City Attorney Scott Martinez and at least ~~three~~ five of his predecessors: Doug Friednash, Cole Finegan, Dan Muse AND David Fine and Steve Kaplan. All three announced Democrats running for DA shook hands and posed for pictures throughout the night. They are prosecutor Kenneth Boyd, Regent Michael Carrigan and Rep. Beth McCann.

As with Hancock’s last inaugural, in 2011, guests could park at East High School and be delivered via school bus to the Denver Botanic Gardens, a plan that went off without a hitch. And although there were sprinkles at times and some carried umbrellas, it never poured to the relief of event organizers.

Categories: Colorado Politics, Denver City Hall, Denver Mayoral and Council Election

| July 20, 2015, 2:33 pm

Ed Perlmutter hits the links with Barack Obama

Just another day at the golf course with Ed Perlmutter and Barack Obama. (Photo courtesy of Ed Perlmutter’s office)

WASHINGTON — For a game that’s allegedly fun, golf comes with a lot of pressure — putting alone has been known to drive some players to rage.

But none of the usual stress-points compare to the pressure cooker that faced U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter on the green this past Sunday. Not only did the Colorado Democrat have to contend with the awful humidity that is Washington in the summer, but one member of his foursome just happened to be the leader of the free world.

Who’s not too bad of a golfer either, Perlmutter said.

“You don’t get to be president of the United States without being a competitor,” said Perlmutter. “And he’s a competitor.”

Joining Perlmutter were two other House Democrats: John Yarmuth of Kentucky and Joe Courtney of Connecticut. Perlmutter said he was teamed with Yarmuth and that Barack Obama was paired with Courtney.

They played at nearby Joint Base Andrews on the facility’s east course.

“It was actually a lot of fun,” said Perlmutter – who added that he wasn’t happy with his play for most of the four-hour session.

“I was very nervous and didn’t play very well for about the first 15 holes,” he said. “The president says he’s a 14 handicapper but he was playing a lot better than that yesterday.”

Categories: Colorado Politics, National Politics

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