Headlines May 13, 2021
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Boulder King Soopers Plans Fall Reopening
The Boulder King Soopers grocery store in Table Mesa announced Wednesday that it plans to re-open by late fall, following the shooting in March that killed 10 people, including a Boulder police officer. The company said it’s working on a renovation of the interior and exterior of the store. A city spokesman said Boulder would try to collaborate with King Soopers on permitting so the grocery store can rebuild efficiently. Since the incident at King Soopers, a brand of Kroger Colorado, has committed to offering emergency paid leave for its employees until June 19th.
Memorial Service Scheduled for Boulder Police Officer
The Boulder Police Department will hold its annual memorial tomorrow for officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Fallen Heroes Memorial is scheduled for 2 o’clock in front of the police department on Boulder’s 33rd Street. At the ceremony, Police Chief Maris Herold will present the Medal of Honor posthumously to Boulder Officer Eric Talley, who was killed in the mass shooting at King Soopers. This week marks, National Police Week – when law enforcement agencies across the country honor and remember law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. The ceremony will coincide with the annual National Peace Officers Memorial Week – proclaimed in by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Domestic Violence Related Gun Bill Heads to Senate
Colorado lawmakers passed another gun bill Wednesday – this one meant to hold domestic abusers accountable for the weapons they own. The gun bill comes days after a man shot and killed six people in a domestic dispute in Colorado Springs early Sunday. The Associated Press reports that the shooter was upset he wasn’t invited to a birthday party given by the family for his girlfriend. According to the Colorado Police Department, the shooter had a history of controlling and jealous behavior and the shooting was an act of domestic violence. The new bill would require the person who is issued a protective order by a judge to report the type and location of firearms in their possession within a week. The legislation will head to the Colorado Senate next.
Colorado Lawmakers Don’t Agree on Rep. Cheney Ouster
It was a split vote Wednesday by Colorado Republicans Wednesday when Congressman Ken Buck voted against removing Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney from her leadership role in the U.S. House while Rep. Lauren Boebert, a freshman from Silt and a vocal booster of former President Donald Trump voted in favor of the controversial decision. Buck said Cheney was “canceled” for speaking her mind. Cheney, who held the number three GOP leadership position, has continued to speak out against Trump for falsely claiming the presidential election was stolen from him.
Both Houses of Colorado’s General Assembly Pass Immigrants Rights Bills
Both Houses of Colorado’s General Assembly yesterday passed bills backed by immigrants rights organizations. House Bill 1194 would create an immigration legal defense fund when clients cannot afford to contract a private attorney. Immigrants – unlike US citizens – do not have guaranteed access to public defenders in legal proceedings. HB 1194 aims to change that at the state level by awarding grants for legal defense to nonprofits.
Another piece of legislation, Senate Bill 131, strengthens protections of personal identifying information kept by state agencies. The proposed law would require a warrant for the disclosure of personal information for the purpose of ascertaining a person’s immigration status.
Both bills passed their respective chambers with bipartisan support and head to their opposite chambers for consideration.
