A new veterinary position coming to Colorado

Good morning, Sunriser readers! And congratulations, we’ve made it to the end of the week. A few more final calls on statewide propositions and amendments trickled in yesterday, with voters choosing to create a new veterinary position and increase funding for law enforcement, and rejecting a controversial education proposal. The Colorado Senate also settled into place, with Democrats maintaining dominance but falling short of a supermajority.

Thank you to all the readers who have stuck with us through the week, refreshing our election dashboard and live blog. And special thanks to those who sent notes of encouragement and kicked in donations — we appreciate you!

Let’s get to the news, get through the day, and head into the weekend. I’ve got a couch and a new season of “What We Do In The Shadows” to tend to.

Parker Yamasaki

Reporter

THE NEWS

ELECTION 2024

Proposition 129 passes: Colorado creates new veterinary position aimed at solving pet care shortage

The veterinary professional associate, or VPA, will be a middle ground between the current positions of vet techs and licensed veterinarians. The new position is aimed at addressing a shortage of animal care, especially in rural areas. Statewide, vets reported regularly turning down clients as a result of the shortage. Kevin Simpson looks at the new job, who can fill it, and what it means for animal care in Colorado.

READ MORE

• Proposition 130: Voters back a $350M funding boost for Colorado law enforcement. The legislature will be forced to cut other public services to pay for the hiring of new officers, training and bonus pay. Brian Eason dives into the new fund and the budget crunch.
• Colorado Democrats fall short of state Senate supermajority, maintain dominance in House. Democrats needed to gain one Senate seat to establish a supermajority, which would have given them a rare level of political power in state government. Brian Eason on the results.
• The Outsider ☀️ Does the rejection of mountain lion hunting ban mark a step toward bridging the urban-rural divide? In 2020, 13 Colorado counties in mostly urban areas voted for the introduction of gray wolves, while during this election, only six counties supported banning mountain lion hunting. Jason Blevins looks at what the two wildlife proposals could tell us about the conversation between urban and rural voters.
• Fact Brief ☀️ Is Colorado required to give its electoral votes to Donald Trump because he won the U.S. popular vote in 2024? Colorado is one of 17 states that have agreed to give its electoral votes to the winner of the national vote through the National Popular Vote Compact. Por Jaijongkit looks at what it means for this past election. 

EDUCATION

Denver Public Schools superintendent proposes closing these schools at the end of the school year

A proposal to close or restructure 10 Denver schools at the end of the school year could help the district, which is facing declining enrollment and decreasing revenue, save $30 million next year. As Erica Breunlin reports, the decision has been “daunting” and emotional for school board members.

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• Amendment 80 fails: Right to school choice won’t be added to Colorado’s constitution. The measure drew sharp criticism from public school workers and supporters, who worried the amendment would divert public school funds to private schools, including those with a religious affiliation. Erica Breunlin has more. 

CULTURE

How do you get people to think about politics after the election? Cookies.

Now that the presidential election is over, the Denver-based nonprofit Warm Cookies of the Revolution wants people to think about how they vote on the other 364 days of the year. I wrote about how the organization leads people into civic engagement through fun, sometimes quirky pathways, like lowrider cruises, knitting clubs and dance parties.

READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT

Clean-car sales jump 10% as Coloradans lean on state, federal and utility rebates

Car registrations in the third quarter of 2024 show an EV and hybrid boom in Colorado, in contrast to national reports warning about a lull in consumer interest. The state offers a long list of price cuts that can be stacked on top of federal incentives and an Xcel rebate, resulting in ultracheap leases. Michael Booth has the numbers.

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• The first winter storm of the season brings drought relief to southeast Colorado. Buckets of snow this week are a boon to ski resorts, but officials say not to get too excited about seeing 200% of average snowfall in November, as conditions change quickly over Colorado winters. Shannon Mullane reports. 
• Denver Health was losing almost 90% of its nitrous oxide to leaks. So it cut the gas. The inhaled anesthetic was escaping through central piping and contributing to the hospital’s overall climate footprint. As John Ingold reports, hospitals around the country are looking for new ways to waste less ozone-destroying laughing gas. 

Section by Parker Yamasaki | Reporter

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Colorado National Guard activated, disaster emergency declared for severe winter storm. “The storm is expected to develop throughout the day, and this declaration is necessary to have resources in place to support rescue efforts around the state as the storm worsens into the evening,” Gov. Jared Polis wrote in his disaster declaration.
  — KDVR
• Hundreds of Colorado schools closed Friday as storm hits Denver area. Aurora Public Schools, Cherry Creek Schools, Denver Public Schools, Douglas County School District and Jeffco Public Schools are among the closures. Here’s a full list.
  — 9News
• Golden officer killed sparks discussion on “Move Over” law. Following the death this week of Golden Police officer Evan Dunn, 33, the widow of an officer killed in 2016 speaks out on the continuing issue of Colorado drivers not abiding by a law intended to protect police on the highways.
  — 9News
• Thousands of Coloradans to receive restitution checks from Wyatts Towing in coming days. It’s part of a $1 million settlement the maligned towing company reached with the state attorney general last year.
  — The Denver Post ????

???? = source has article meter or paywall

Section by Kevin Jeffers | Product Team

THE OPINION PAGE

COMMUNITY

• Colorado continues to advance hydrogen as uncertainty from D.C. bureaucrats persists.  The Centennial State must continue its hydrogen momentum and be an example other states can follow for economic growth and better air
  — Brian DeBruine, Co-director of the Colorado Hydrogen Network

CARTOONS

Jim Morrissey illustrates how, in the wake of Tuesday’s presidential outcome, the sunny outlook of “Annie” runs headlong into the vibe of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

CARTOON

In “What’d I Miss?” the cartoonists explore the seemingly incongruous facets of our health insurance system.

CARTOON

Drew Litton illustrates how the confluence of Colorado’s first hit of winter weather and the aftermath of the 2024 election has some fearing the worst.

CARTOON

The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.

Podcast Playlist

CONVERSATION

Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a thoughtful conversation, a bit of Colorado history, and headlines of the day. We keep it tight so you can listen on the go, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. Download the Sun-Up for free on your favorite podcasting app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or RSS to plug into your app.

• “Standing Dead.” Colorado mystery author Margaret Mizushima stops by to chat with SunLit editor Kevin Simpson about the eighth book,”Standing Dead,” in her Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, which is based in the Colorado high country. And, book No. 9 just hit shelves.
  LISTEN
• Did Colorado really lose 72,000 jobs earlier this year? A glitch in Colorado’s unemployment data reporting has state economists and statisticians scratching their heads. Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down the breakdown.
  LISTEN
• Uinta Basin railway proposal heads to the high court. Oral arguments are Dec. 13 before the U.S. Supreme Court on the 88-mile rail line in Utah. Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins talks about the Colorado players filing friends-of-the-court briefs.
  LISTEN
• Early election results insights. Sun publisher Larry Ryckman has covered plenty of elections in his career, and on election night he had some early takes on what the Colorado numbers showed for some of the 14 statewide measures and bigger races.
  LISTEN
• Health and environment impacts of Colorado’s voting patterns. Sun health reporter John Ingold and environmental reporter Michael Booth look under the hood of the election numbers and the possible mixed messages from voters to legislators.
  LISTEN

????️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll play right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.

Section by David Krause | Editor

Just learned there’s also a new season of “The Great British Baking Show.” I’m officially not emerging until Monday.

— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun

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Corrections & Clarifications

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