A federal judge has ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Colorado have been making unlawful arrests of suspected illegal immigrants. The judge found that ICE was making warrantless arrests without probable cause, specifically lacking evidence of a flight risk, and rebuked the agency for detaining individuals with strong community ties. The court sided with four plaintiffs represented by the ACLU, ordering ICE to halt these practices and potentially repay bond money. ICE has indicated it will appeal the decision, arguing against the ruling’s impact on deporting criminal illegal aliens.
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Colorado voters approved Proposition MM, a measure that increases taxes on high-income households to fully fund free school meals for all public school children and support the SNAP program. The tax increase, impacting households earning $300,000 or more, will generate revenue to cover the costs of the free meals program, including staff raises and local food sourcing, while any surplus will support SNAP administration. This initiative follows the passage of Proposition FF in 2022, which initially established the Healthy School Meals for All Program but lacked sufficient long-term funding. The passage of Proposition MM ensures the continuation of free school meals for all children and also provides funding to help administer new SNAP requirements.
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Elizabeth Ann Davis was convicted of voter fraud in Colorado for submitting ballots on behalf of her deceased ex-husband and son during the 2022 general election. She was found guilty of two counts of forgery and one count of impersonating an elector. This case highlights the rarity of voter fraud, with the election process in place meant to detect these types of crimes. Davis, who has previous forgery convictions, faces potential penalties ranging from probation to up to three years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 9th.
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A class-action lawsuit against Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Department of Corrections addresses forced labor within prisons, focusing on the 13th Amendment’s exception clause. Despite Colorado’s 2018 amendment abolishing slavery and forced labor without exception, the lawsuit alleges that prison labor practices haven’t changed, with inmates facing penalties for refusing to work. The plaintiffs argue this violates the state’s revised constitution, while state officials, citing pending litigation, declined to comment, but previously argued the labor program is for rehabilitation and doesn’t deny basic human rights. The trial is set to begin Tuesday.
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US Supreme Court to examine Colorado’s gay ‘conversion therapy’ ban, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of dread mixed with disbelief. The very idea that a court, especially this one, would even consider overturning a ban on a practice so demonstrably harmful is, frankly, infuriating. It feels like we’re living in a time warp, hurtling backward while the rest of the world hopefully progresses.
The core issue at hand revolves around whether a state, in this case Colorado, has the right to prohibit licensed therapists from providing “conversion therapy” to minors. This isn’t about banning speech; it’s about banning actions, specifically, actions that have been proven to cause significant psychological damage.… Continue reading
In a significant development, the sentencing for Jon Hallford, co-owner of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, has been delayed. The judge rejected the proposed plea agreement calling for a concurrent 20-year sentence, citing the emotional impact of victim impact statements and the feeling that the agreement did not reflect the severity of the crimes. This rejection allows Hallford the opportunity to withdraw from the plea deal, which would result in a trial. The case involved the discovery of nearly 200 bodies in various states of decomposition and also involves federal charges related to the misuse of pandemic relief funds.
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In a Colorado court, Jon Hallford, the owner of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, is set to be sentenced for abusing the corpses of 191 individuals. Hallford and his wife ran a fraudulent operation for four years, promising cremations but instead storing bodies in a decaying building. The plea agreement recommends a 20-year prison sentence, but some families are contesting this, seeking a harsher punishment. The case has caused immense anguish for the families, who unknowingly spread concrete and had to come to grips with the fact that their loved ones were not properly cared for.
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Colorado’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against a sheriff’s deputy for allegedly assisting federal immigration agents in the arrest of a college student with an expired visa. The deputy, Alexander Zwinck, is accused of sharing personal information, including location, vehicle details, and license photos, with federal agents via a task force chat, facilitating arrests. Additionally, the Attorney General’s office is investigating whether other officers on the same task force violated state law limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement. The lawsuit seeks a court order prohibiting Zwinck from future violations of the law.
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James Craig, a Colorado dentist, is facing trial next week, accused of murdering his wife, Angela Craig, by poisoning her protein shakes. The prosecution alleges that Craig poisoned his wife with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, attempting to make her death appear as a suicide. Court documents reveal that Craig had also attempted to solicit others to tamper with evidence and commit perjury. James Craig has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including first-degree murder.
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The USDA abruptly canceled the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program in April, which aimed to support farmers in implementing climate-friendly practices. The program, which had a $3 billion budget, awarded significant funds to Colorado ranchers and organizations like the Quivira Coalition to improve soil health. This unexpected cancellation has stalled planned expansions of regenerative agriculture efforts and created uncertainty for farmers who were relying on these grants. A replacement program, “Advancing Markets for Producers,” is in development but may offer less support and different requirements, leading to scaled-down initiatives.
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Judge: ICE Arrests of Suspected Illegal Immigrants Unlawful
A federal judge has ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Colorado have been making unlawful arrests of suspected illegal immigrants. The judge found that ICE was making warrantless arrests without probable cause, specifically lacking evidence of a flight risk, and rebuked the agency for detaining individuals with strong community ties. The court sided with four plaintiffs represented by the ACLU, ordering ICE to halt these practices and potentially repay bond money. ICE has indicated it will appeal the decision, arguing against the ruling’s impact on deporting criminal illegal aliens.
Read More
Colorado Voters Approve Tax Increase on High Earners for School Meals, Food Stamps
Colorado voters approved Proposition MM, a measure that increases taxes on high-income households to fully fund free school meals for all public school children and support the SNAP program. The tax increase, impacting households earning $300,000 or more, will generate revenue to cover the costs of the free meals program, including staff raises and local food sourcing, while any surplus will support SNAP administration. This initiative follows the passage of Proposition FF in 2022, which initially established the Healthy School Meals for All Program but lacked sufficient long-term funding. The passage of Proposition MM ensures the continuation of free school meals for all children and also provides funding to help administer new SNAP requirements.
Read More
Colorado Woman Found Guilty of Voter Fraud; Was Previously Convicted of Forgery
Elizabeth Ann Davis was convicted of voter fraud in Colorado for submitting ballots on behalf of her deceased ex-husband and son during the 2022 general election. She was found guilty of two counts of forgery and one count of impersonating an elector. This case highlights the rarity of voter fraud, with the election process in place meant to detect these types of crimes. Davis, who has previous forgery convictions, faces potential penalties ranging from probation to up to three years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 9th.
Read More
Lawsuit: Colorado Prisons Accused of Forced Labor Despite Amendment A
A class-action lawsuit against Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the Department of Corrections addresses forced labor within prisons, focusing on the 13th Amendment’s exception clause. Despite Colorado’s 2018 amendment abolishing slavery and forced labor without exception, the lawsuit alleges that prison labor practices haven’t changed, with inmates facing penalties for refusing to work. The plaintiffs argue this violates the state’s revised constitution, while state officials, citing pending litigation, declined to comment, but previously argued the labor program is for rehabilitation and doesn’t deny basic human rights. The trial is set to begin Tuesday.
Read More
Supreme Court to Review Colorado’s Gay Conversion Therapy Ban: A Critical Analysis
US Supreme Court to examine Colorado’s gay ‘conversion therapy’ ban, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of dread mixed with disbelief. The very idea that a court, especially this one, would even consider overturning a ban on a practice so demonstrably harmful is, frankly, infuriating. It feels like we’re living in a time warp, hurtling backward while the rest of the world hopefully progresses.
The core issue at hand revolves around whether a state, in this case Colorado, has the right to prohibit licensed therapists from providing “conversion therapy” to minors. This isn’t about banning speech; it’s about banning actions, specifically, actions that have been proven to cause significant psychological damage.… Continue reading
Colorado Judge Rejects Plea Deal for Funeral Home Co-Owner in Body Scandal
In a significant development, the sentencing for Jon Hallford, co-owner of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, has been delayed. The judge rejected the proposed plea agreement calling for a concurrent 20-year sentence, citing the emotional impact of victim impact statements and the feeling that the agreement did not reflect the severity of the crimes. This rejection allows Hallford the opportunity to withdraw from the plea deal, which would result in a trial. The case involved the discovery of nearly 200 bodies in various states of decomposition and also involves federal charges related to the misuse of pandemic relief funds.
Read More
Funeral Home Owner Faces Sentencing After Stashing 190 Decayed Bodies
In a Colorado court, Jon Hallford, the owner of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, is set to be sentenced for abusing the corpses of 191 individuals. Hallford and his wife ran a fraudulent operation for four years, promising cremations but instead storing bodies in a decaying building. The plea agreement recommends a 20-year prison sentence, but some families are contesting this, seeking a harsher punishment. The case has caused immense anguish for the families, who unknowingly spread concrete and had to come to grips with the fact that their loved ones were not properly cared for.
Read More
Colorado AG Sues Sheriff’s Deputy for Sharing Information with ICE
Colorado’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against a sheriff’s deputy for allegedly assisting federal immigration agents in the arrest of a college student with an expired visa. The deputy, Alexander Zwinck, is accused of sharing personal information, including location, vehicle details, and license photos, with federal agents via a task force chat, facilitating arrests. Additionally, the Attorney General’s office is investigating whether other officers on the same task force violated state law limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement. The lawsuit seeks a court order prohibiting Zwinck from future violations of the law.
Read More
Dentist on Trial for Wife’s Murder: A Case of Incompetent Criminality
James Craig, a Colorado dentist, is facing trial next week, accused of murdering his wife, Angela Craig, by poisoning her protein shakes. The prosecution alleges that Craig poisoned his wife with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, attempting to make her death appear as a suicide. Court documents reveal that Craig had also attempted to solicit others to tamper with evidence and commit perjury. James Craig has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including first-degree murder.
Read More
Trump Administration Cuts Agriculture Funding for Western States, Impacting Colorado Farmers
The USDA abruptly canceled the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program in April, which aimed to support farmers in implementing climate-friendly practices. The program, which had a $3 billion budget, awarded significant funds to Colorado ranchers and organizations like the Quivira Coalition to improve soil health. This unexpected cancellation has stalled planned expansions of regenerative agriculture efforts and created uncertainty for farmers who were relying on these grants. A replacement program, “Advancing Markets for Producers,” is in development but may offer less support and different requirements, leading to scaled-down initiatives.
Read More