Health care reform takes center stage today at the Colorado Legislature, where a highly touted state panel is expected to propose that all Coloradans be required to carry health insurance. The so called individual mandate is part of a thirty proposal-deep package that will be presented later today by the 208 Commission on health care reform. Most comprehensive health care reform packages run with price tags in the low billions. That’s setting the stage for a fierce debate over health care reform under the dome, even as more and more Coloradans continue to fall through the cracks. KUNC‘s Kirk Siegler reports.
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Presidential politics took center stage in Colorado Wednesday at the University of Denver. Democratic senator Barack Obama made his second campaign trip to Colorado, less than a week before the state’s February 5th caucus. And former president Bill Clinton also made a stop on behalf of his wife. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Colorado College Music Professor Stephen Scott’s widely acclaimed Bowed Piano Ensemble will be performing at Packard Hall on Thursday night. Art Reporter Noel Black visited Scott and his ensemble in their practice studio.
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For the third time in recent years, a bill to stop insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to calculate insurance premiums failed in the house on Tuesday. Bente Birkeland has more from Denver.
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Governor Bill Ritter is touting a new bill aimed at making the state’s schools safer to prevent another Columbine tragedy from happening. The bill would set up a center to help schools respond faster to emergencies. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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[From John Wiess at the Colorado Springs Independent Insider Newsletter]

Kathy Verlo – activist, community member extraordinaire, and wonderful human being – passed away her in sleep while at home Saturday, Jan. 26.

Kathy (almost) always saw the best in everyone. (She had no patience for Douglas Bruce.)

She helped lead the charge to save Section 16 and helped launch Manitou Springs Recycles, among numerous other projects. Her work to defeat efforts to bring gambling to Manitou led to her serving on Manitou Springs City Council for three terms. On Council, Kathy was pivotal in paving the way for Colorado Springs to acquire Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

Our hearts go out to her family, which is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Voices in the Wilderness founder Kathy Kelly at Voices For Creative Nonviolence, 1249 W. Argyle St. #2, Chicago, IL 60640 (vcnv.org). They also suggest making a contribution of your time and talent toward a local organization that serves the many social needs of our community.

There will be a memorial service, most likely on Thursday or Friday. For updates, check out Ralph Routon’s column in this week’s Independent or log on to kathy.verlo.net/memoriam.

Republican Representative Douglas Bruce is making history at the Colorado statehouse, but not the kind he wants to be remembered for. On Thursday the legislature formally condemned him for kicking a photographer on the house floor earlier this month. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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Five years have passed since 20 year old Lacy Miller was abducted and senselessly killed by a Ft. Collins man impersonating a police officer. Jason Clausen is serving life in prison for the crime. The incident shattered the lives of those involved but as KUNC’s Brian Larson shares it also set in motion a story of forgiveness…

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Governor Bill Ritter said on Wednesday Colorado will hold an all paper ballot election in the 2008 general election. The decision comes about a month after the state decertified thousands of electronic voting machines for failing to pass security tests. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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Considered one of the most innovative farmers in the nation for his holistic approach to farming and ranching, Joel Salatin runs Polyface Farm in Virginia. He’ll present a lecture titled “Dancing With Dinner: The Dynamic of Healthy Food Chains,” Thursday, January 24th. Noel Black spoke with Salatin about his “beyond organic” ranching techniques. [LISTEN]

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