Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Cut in mineral royalties to Western states tied to sequester
Western lawmakers are waging a bipartisan revolt against the Obama administration's decision to cut mineral royalties to the states as a result of the sequester, but so far the administration isn't budging. Published July 11, 2013
Mascot feud hits Denver after university introduces Boone replacement
University of Denver officials reignited the school's simmering mascot feud last month by proposing three new mascots — an elk, a jackalope and a "mountaineer" — but many alumni are still smarting over the school's decision to dump Boone, the chubby pioneer who was jettisoned in 1998 for being insufficiently inclusive. Published July 8, 2013
Bolivian government angry over plane rerouting due to Snowden suspicions
While still apparently holed up in a Moscow airport, National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden precipitated another international incident, this time over the Bolivian president's plane being rerouted to Austria over concerns that Mr. Snowden might be onboard. Published July 3, 2013
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro defends Edward Snowden: ‘He did not kill anyone’
NSA leaker Edward Snowden remained stuck in legal limbo Tuesday as he frantically seeks asylum, but his case prompted an unprecedented apology from the nation's top intelligence officer. Published July 2, 2013
Deadly Arizona wildfire again stirs debate on cause of huge forest blazes
The wildfires charring the West again this summer have reignited the debate over what is fueling the horrific infernos: man-made climate change or the proliferation of overgrown, diseased forests. Published July 1, 2013
Critics say Supreme Court’s Prop 8 ruling takes power from voters, gives it to state officials
The Supreme Court's decision Wednesday on Proposition 8 unlocked the door for same-sex marriage in California but also may have stifled the voices of the state's voters. Published June 30, 2013
Magpul floods Colorado with ammo magazines 2 days before gun laws kick in
An estimated 5,000 gun-rights advocates lined up hours in advance Saturday to score 20,000 free and discounted 30-round ammunition magazines at "A Farewell to Arms," billed as a "freedom festival" for those disenchanted with the Colorado Legislature's aggressive gun-control push. Published June 30, 2013
Is one-party rule dividing America? Concentration of power can lead to overreach, backlash
While one-party dominance is an almost surefire cure for gridlock, it also points to the increasing balkanization of state governments as Democrats and Republicans move away from the political center. Published June 27, 2013
Traditional-marriage supporters vow to fight on for DOMA, California Prop 8
Conservative and Republican lawmakers expressed outrage Wednesday at the failure of the Obama administration and California state officials to defend duly passed laws on gay marriage, which contributed to their defeat earlier in the day at the Supreme Court. Published June 26, 2013
Party-switching state senator says Dems have moved too far to the left for Louisiana
Elbert Guillory knows a thing or two about taking risks. Shortly before he switched his party allegiance from Democrat to Republican, he rappelled down the side of a 20-story building in Baton Rouge, La., to help raise money for adoption services. Published June 23, 2013
Colorado University weighs anti-discrimination protection for conservatives
Few would disagree that conservative professors are an endangered species on campus, which is why the University of Colorado Board of Regents is scheduled to consider Thursday a resolution that would prohibit discrimination based on "political affiliation or political philosophy." Published June 19, 2013
Colorado Senate president will face recall election forced by gun-rights activists
The first-ever recall election of a Colorado state legislator moved closer to fruition Tuesday after it was announced that there are sufficient valid signatures to proceed with the recall of Senate President John Morse. Published June 18, 2013
Magpul offers soon-to-be illegal weaponry to Colo. gun buyers
Colorado gun owners stocking up on magazines before the state's ammunition restrictions hit July 1 received an assist Monday from Magpul Industries. Published June 18, 2013
Poll: Colorado voters souring on Democrats
A Quinnipiac University poll released last week shows Colorado voters registering greater disapproval for Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and the Democrat-controlled legislature, following a legislative session described as the most liberal in state history. Published June 16, 2013
Medical students’ prognosis unclear with ‘Obamacare’; many don’t understand law
Being accepted to medical school was once seen as a ticket to a prosperous and fulfilling career, but today's students face far less certain futures under Obamacare. Published June 11, 2013
Second Colorado Democrat facing recall over gun vote
Gun-rights advocates in Colorado submitted signatures Monday against a second Democratic state lawmaker in the escalating backlash against the Colorado legislature's recently approved gun control bills. Published June 10, 2013
Flour power isn’t sweet on gay marriage; bakeries snub same-sex couples’ weddings
Supporters of same-sex marriage are taking their fight to new venues daily — first to the courts, then to state legislatures, and now to bakeries. Published June 6, 2013
Red-blue divisions start with newborns’ names; parents show partisan tendencies
A research paper by a team of University of Chicago political scientists found that liberals and conservatives, in addition to all of their other differences, have distinct tendencies when it comes to choosing names for their newborns. Published June 5, 2013
Holmes can plead insanity in Colo. theater shooting
Mass shooting suspect James Eagan Holmes was allowed Tuesday to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, setting the stage for an extensive mental-health evaluation that could stretch into 2014. Published June 4, 2013
Pro-gun camp submits petitions to recall Colorado legislator
A recall campaign submitted stacks of petitions Monday to oust Colorado Senate President John Morse in what could become a national referendum on gun rights. Published June 3, 2013
