Author: George Brauchler
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Heartless tweet warrants true contrition, no less | George Brauchler
In matters of public concern — just like in our private lives — we should be ready to extend grace and forgiveness to those who offend us. We should not forgive Colorado state Rep. Steven Woodrow. Not until he masters the prerequisite skill of taking responsibility. In the wake of the attempted assassination of Donald…
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Generation gap and more skew Denver cops’ public image | George Brauchler
Absent from news coverage of the latest poll of Denver by the bipartisan Colorado Polling Institute (CPI) is a dire warning for the Denver Police Department (DPD). It is an epic challenge that, if unaddressed, will drastically affect how Denver deals with crime and public safety. DPD has a growing problem. The key findings of…
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Politics isn’t sports; sports, at least, has standards | George Brauchler
Unity. That is the political word de jour in the aftermath of the primary elections this past Tuesday. I was in the trenches and on the ballot this campaign cycle and since Tuesday, the GOP mantra is “unity.” I am not there yet. Politics is a rough-and-tumble endeavor. In my five trips to the ballot…
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Trump prosecution was ‘bathed in politics’ | George Brauchler
Last week, a businessman was convicted of feloniously and fraudulently making business entries in furtherance of another crime. He was indicted by a duly empaneled grand jury based on evidence brought by a duly elected district attorney. He was prosecuted in a public courtroom in front of an experienced and well-respected judge. The evidence and…
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Colorado DA races a bellwether on justice reform | George Brauchler
No single individual has greater influence over public safety and criminal justice than DAs, and they are all on the ballot this year. Several of Colorado’s most important DA’s races will offer an opportunity to either embrace the offender-friendly approach that has fueled our crime tsunami, or turn to a system that insists on accountability…
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Guv’s public-safety promise is a pipe dream | George Brauchler
Ever since state government fell under one-party rule, Colorado has become a dramatically and demonstrably less safe place to raise a family, start a business, or just live. That is not hyperbole or conjecture. Based on the U.S. News & World Report analysis of the latest Federal Bureau of Investigations data, Colorado’s safety standing relative…
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How best to protect our children in school | George Brauchler
In a more perfect world, we would not know the name Kendrick Castillo. In a more perfect world, the only son of John and Maria Castillo would be starting a career in robotics after graduating college, driving his jeep all over, attending church with his parents, maybe spending time with someone he met and was…
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Next: Colorado lawmakers will go after parents
Shortly after the Michigan parents of a juvenile school shooter were sentenced to prison last month for their roles in the arming of their son and his subsequent murder of four students and shooting of seven others, Gazette Executive Editor Vince Bzdek explored whether parents should be criminally responsible for their kid’scriminal conduct — especially…
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Next: Colorado lawmakers will go after parents | George Brauchler
Shortly after the Michigan parents of a juvenile school shooter were sentenced to prison last month for their roles in the arming of their son and his subsequent murder of four students and shooting of seven others, Gazette Executive Editor Vince Bzdek explored whether parents should be criminally responsible for their kid’scriminal conduct — especially…
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Remembering a paragon among prosecutors | George Brauchler
A few weeks ago, I ran into the first Chief Deputy DA for whom I worked when I was a baby prosecutor in Jeffco nearly 30 years ago. Mark and his wife, Betsy, were retired, spending time with family, preparing for a cruise, and generally enjoying the twilight of their years together. Seeing him reminded…