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Valerie Richardson

Valerie Richardson

Valerie Richardson covers politics and the West from Denver. She can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Valerie Richardson

Mourners comfort each other as they depart a memorial service Wednesday for Gordon Cowden, one of 12 people killed in a shooting attack early Friday at the packed theater during a showing of the latest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” Police have identified the suspected gunman as James Holmes. (Associated Press)

Any answers in Holmes’ notebook?

James Holmes may have been sedated. He may be psychotic. Or he already may be trying to improve his chances in court by playing the part of the loopy, unhinged maniac. A notebook may hold some of the answers. Published July 25, 2012

Throughout Tuesday, people bring flowers, candles, signs and other items to the growing memorial to the victims of Friday’s mass shootings in Aurora, Colo. The memorial, which is located across the street from the theater where 12 people were kiilled and scores others wounded. Colorado residents are bristling as their image of their state as a dangerous place to live. (Associated Press)

Image of a violent state irks Coloradans

With two of the most horrific mass killings of modern times occurring in their state, Coloradans are bristling at the suggestion that their state is somehow more dangerous or prone to violence than others. Published July 24, 2012

Obama administration to open voter database

It came as something as a shock last weekend when the Obama administration abruptly reversed its position on ballot security by agreeing to let states check suspected illegal voters against a federal database. Published July 17, 2012

Homes are left in ruins after being destroyed by the Waldo Canyon Fire in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Monday, July 2, 2012. The 28-square-mile wildfire, which has killed two people and destroyed nearly 350 homes, was 70 percent contained on Monday. (AP Photo/Bryan Oller)

Global warming seen as a factor in wildfires

A growing chorus of environmental groups is blaming climate change for the ferocity of this year's wildfires, heating up the debate over fire policy as wetter conditions brought relief to the Colorado front. Published July 3, 2012

"No, it's a penalty. It's a penalty that comes under the tax code for the 1 percent perhaps of the population who may decide that they are going to be free-riders." - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat (Associated Press)

A ‘tax’ by any other name smells just as foul to GOP

The Supreme Court may call it a tax and Republicans may call it a tax, but Democrats insisted Sunday that the fee for noncompliance with the Affordable Care Act bears no resemblance to the T-word. Published July 1, 2012

**FILE** Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (Associated Press)

Conservatives bash court ruling at Western summit

Still reeling from Thursday's Supreme Court decision, conservatives gathered Saturday at the annual Western Conservative Summit to lick their wounds, shake their fists and vow to strike back in November. Published June 30, 2012

**FILE** A helicopters flies over as the Waldo Canyon fire continues to burn June 27, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Associated Press)

Obama visits fire-ravaged Colorado

President Obama surveyed Friday the damage from the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, praising responders for their efforts and remarking on the enormity of the devastation. Published June 29, 2012

** FILE ** In this June, 27, 2012, file photo, supporters of a war memorial cross at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial in San Diego are not giving up in their fight to keep the 58-year-old monument right where it is in the face of an adverse ruling from a federal appeals court. (Associated Press)

Court inaction on Calif. cross leaves it standing

The Supreme Court declined this week to hear an appeal in the case of the Mount Soledad cross, but that doesn't mean the iconic cross is coming down any time soon. Published June 27, 2012

**FILE** Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (Associated Press)

Arizona’s AG: Court’s ruling is ‘a 70% win’

Arizona Republicans declared victory Monday after the Supreme Court upheld the key provision of the state's immigration law requiring police to check the status of suspected illegal immigrants during a lawful stop. Published June 25, 2012

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah has been put through a bruising campaign by Dan Liljenquist, a former state senator challenging the six-term incumbent in the state's Republican primary. Polls show Mr. Hatch still enjoying a sizable lead. (Deseret News via Associated Press)

Utah challenger a thorn in Hatch’s side

If Dan Liljenquist falls short in Tuesday's Utah Republican Senate primary, it won't be for a lack of trying. The former state senator has waged a no-holds-barred campaign against six-term incumbent Sen. Orrin G. Hatch. Published June 24, 2012