Valerie Richardson

U.S. lawmakers skeptical of Sochi security, suspicious of Russia, Snowden

There was a Cold War chill in the air Sunday as members of Congress raised questions about safety at the Sochi Olympics and then suggested Russia may have been involved in the leaking of sensitive intelligence data. Published January 19, 2014

Christie target of ‘partisan witch hunt,’ Giuliani says

Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani accused Democrats Sunday of conducting a “partisan witch hunt” against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Published January 19, 2014

Republicans cry foul as Colorado regulators clear Sen. Udall

Published January 15, 2014

Banks turn away cash from legal marijuana in Colorado; federal laws trip booming business

A week after Colorado's ballyhooed retail marijuana launch, the line at Evergreen Apothecary is still out the door. That comes as both good and bad news for co-owner Tim Cullen. His business may be booming, but his banking situation remains sketchy. Published January 12, 2014

Colo. Sen. Udall under fire for attempting to alter health care cancellation stats

Sen. Mark Udall is coming under criticism for pressuring state regulators to downsize figures showing that nearly 250,000 Coloradans received health insurance-cancellation notices. Published January 9, 2014

BREAK UP: Will California splinter into 6 states? Voters, Congress could soon decide

There's nothing like a guy with a few million bucks to lend instant credibility to a previously penny-ante movement to split up the state of California. Published January 6, 2014

Colo. Democrats blamed for $80M hit to economy by pushing out gun firm Magpul

Democrats came under heavy criticism Friday for driving Magpul Industries out of Colorado by pushing an aggressive gun-control agenda, a move that could cost the state more than $80 million annually. Published January 4, 2014

Frustrated Colo. gun firm Magpul relocating to Texas, Wyoming

Magpul Industries, a firearms-accessories maker, announced Thursday that it will relocate its extensive manufacturing facilities to Texas and Wyoming, in angry response to the Colorado legislature's passage of sweeping gun-control legislation in 2013. Published January 2, 2014

Crowds grow like weeds for first legal sales of marijuana in Colorado

Colorado lit up the nation's first legal adult marijuana market shortly after dawn Wednesday, and Brandon Harris was not about to miss it. Published January 1, 2014

Colorado to start 2014 with legalized recreational marijuana sales

There's something in the air as Colorado celebrates the new year, and it's not just confetti and champagne. Published December 31, 2013

Utah prepares to fight federal court rulings on gay marriage, polygamy

It's more than a little ironic that Utah, which was forced to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman as a condition for statehood, has been thrust into the role of traditional marriage's champion by two pivotal cases involving same-sex couples and polygamy. Published December 29, 2013

Gay advocacy group: Obamacare ad makes us look like ‘sex-crazed lechers’

The latest sexually charged ad campaign pushing Obamacare has now offended some members of its target audience, namely gay men. Published December 28, 2013

DERAILED: California’s high-speed train project going nowhere fast

The only thing speedy about California's vaunted plan for a high-speed rail system connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco is the name. Published December 23, 2013

Utah officials blocked again on gay marriage ban

A federal judge denied Monday the Utah attorney general's request for a stay of his ruling allowing same-sex marriages, clearing the path for gay couples to marry in what may be the nation's most socially conservative state. Published December 23, 2013

Montana Dems fret about Baucus seat as WH pulls ‘backroom deal’ to save

Montana Senate candidates are alarmed that Sen. Max Baucus' sooner-than-expected departure could turn next year's election into a coronation for the Democrat appointed to fill his seat. Published December 22, 2013

One Direction sends get-well video to Arapahoe shooting victim

The mega-popular British boy band One Direction sent a get-well-soon message via video Thursday to Claire Davis, who was wounded in last week's shooting at Arapahoe High School. Published December 20, 2013

Armed response, not restrictive gun laws, brought swift end to school shooting

It's a stark fact that is fueling an already intense debate about gun rights in this state: It was an armed deputy who stopped the Arapahoe High School gunman last week from unleashing a deadly massacre, not the expansive new gun control laws approved by Colorado Democrats in March in reaction to two mass shootings. Published December 18, 2013