Briefly | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to appear on HBO’s ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’
Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics‘ daily news briefing. Here’s what’s going on today:
Polis to appear on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday
Gov. Jared Polis will be a guest on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” this Friday, alongside political commentator Megyn Kelly and political analyst Van Jones. The talk show, which is available to stream on Max, focuses on current events, politics, and social issues and often features discussions with celebrity guests and political figures.
Guns Down America endorses Colorado’s Proposition KK
A national organization focused on reducing gun-related violence has endorsed Colorado’s Proposition KK, which seeks to impose a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. The revenue generated from the tax would fund services for crime victims, mental health programs for veterans and youth, and school safety initiatives.
“Gun violence costs Colorado $11.7 billion annually, with taxpayers covering $156.1 million,” said Hudson Munoz, executive director of Guns Down America. “Prop KK offers a common sense solution by holding gun manufacturers, dealers, and vendors accountable through a modest excise tax. This measure ensures Americans most impacted by guns, like our veterans and domestic violence survivors, get essential services while shifting financial responsibility where it belongs: on the dealers and manufacturers. Voters face a simple choice: keep bearing the cost of gun violence or make the gun industry accountable for the damage it causes.”
According to Guns Down America, funding for crime victim support services in Colorado has dropped 75% in the past six years, from $56 million to $13 million. If Proposition KK is passed, it’s expected to generate an additional $39 million each year for these services.
Director selected for newly-established Disability Opportunity Office
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has appointed Danny Combs to lead the newly-established Colorado Disability Opportunity Office.
Combs is the founder and executive director of Teaching Autism Community Trades Inc., as well as the co-founder and board chair of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce.
“We are committed to delivering a Colorado for all where everyone can thrive no matter their abilities, and I’m happy to have Danny leading the charge in coordinating our disability-related efforts and the amazing opportunities for disabled Coloradans across Colorado,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “Danny is the right person to build a team of talented individuals to facilitate collaboration and engage with Coloradans who are disabled.”
The new department, housed within CDLE, will work alongside the state’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals and live independently. The Disability Opportunity Office will serve as a resource to state agencies, as well as organizations and members of the public.
“I am eager to jump into this new role and help create a more supportive infrastructure that creates equality of opportunity for all Coloradans,” said Combs. “As we build a more inclusive and equitable state, it is imperative to ensure that all Coloradans have equal access to employment opportunities, services and the resources they need to thrive.”
Combs will assume his new position November 12.
Polis, Petterson to speak at virtual Cannabis Community Rally for Vice President Kamala Harris featuring Willie Nelson
Gov. Jared Polis and U.S. Rep. Brittany Petterson will be joining celebrities, including Willie Nelson and Whoopi Goldberg tonight at 7 p.m. for a virtual Cannabis Community Zoom call in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running from president.
Harris recently reaffirmed her support for federal marijuana legalization, stating that she has a plan to “legalize marijuana at the federal level to break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back.”
“I’m excited to bring together such an amazing group of people to talk about something we all care about deeply,” Nelson told news outlet Marijuana Moment. “Cannabis is a path to healing, opportunity, and justice, and supporting leaders like Kamala Harris who understand that is crucial to putting an end to the federal prohibition and undoing the harms it caused to so many, particularly to communities of color where it has been disproportionately enforced.”
Click here to register for the call.
Briefly | Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to appear on HBO’s ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’
Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics‘ daily news briefing. Here’s what’s going on today:
Polis to appear on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday
Gov. Jared Polis will be a guest on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” this Friday, alongside political commentator Megyn Kelly and political analyst Van Jones. The talk show, which is available to stream on Max, focuses on current events, politics, and social issues and often features discussions with celebrity guests and political figures.
Guns Down America endorses Colorado’s Proposition KK
A national organization focused on reducing gun-related violence has endorsed Colorado’s Proposition KK, which seeks to impose a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. The revenue generated from the tax would fund services for crime victims, mental health programs for veterans and youth, and school safety initiatives.
“Gun violence costs Colorado $11.7 billion annually, with taxpayers covering $156.1 million,” said Hudson Munoz, executive director of Guns Down America. “Prop KK offers a common sense solution by holding gun manufacturers, dealers, and vendors accountable through a modest excise tax. This measure ensures Americans most impacted by guns, like our veterans and domestic violence survivors, get essential services while shifting financial responsibility where it belongs: on the dealers and manufacturers. Voters face a simple choice: keep bearing the cost of gun violence or make the gun industry accountable for the damage it causes.”
According to Guns Down America, funding for crime victim support services in Colorado has dropped 75% in the past six years, from $56 million to $13 million. If Proposition KK is passed, it’s expected to generate an additional $39 million each year for these services.
Director selected for newly-established Disability Opportunity Office
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has appointed Danny Combs to lead the newly-established Colorado Disability Opportunity Office.
Combs is the founder and executive director of Teaching Autism Community Trades Inc., as well as the co-founder and board chair of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce.
“We are committed to delivering a Colorado for all where everyone can thrive no matter their abilities, and I’m happy to have Danny leading the charge in coordinating our disability-related efforts and the amazing opportunities for disabled Coloradans across Colorado,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “Danny is the right person to build a team of talented individuals to facilitate collaboration and engage with Coloradans who are disabled.”
The new department, housed within CDLE, will work alongside the state’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals and live independently. The Disability Opportunity Office will serve as a resource to state agencies, as well as organizations and members of the public.
“I am eager to jump into this new role and help create a more supportive infrastructure that creates equality of opportunity for all Coloradans,” said Combs. “As we build a more inclusive and equitable state, it is imperative to ensure that all Coloradans have equal access to employment opportunities, services and the resources they need to thrive.”
Combs will assume his new position November 12.
Polis, Petterson to speak at virtual Cannabis Community Rally for Vice President Kamala Harris featuring Willie Nelson
Gov. Jared Polis and U.S. Rep. Brittany Petterson will be joining celebrities, including Willie Nelson and Whoopi Goldberg tonight at 7 p.m. for a virtual Cannabis Community Zoom call in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running from president.
Harris recently reaffirmed her support for federal marijuana legalization, stating that she has a plan to “legalize marijuana at the federal level to break down unjust legal barriers that hold Black men and other Americans back.”
“I’m excited to bring together such an amazing group of people to talk about something we all care about deeply,” Nelson told news outlet Marijuana Moment. “Cannabis is a path to healing, opportunity, and justice, and supporting leaders like Kamala Harris who understand that is crucial to putting an end to the federal prohibition and undoing the harms it caused to so many, particularly to communities of color where it has been disproportionately enforced.”
Click here to register for the call.