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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

"The interest of society in the enforcement of employment discrimination statutes is undoubtedly important. But so too is the interest of religious groups in choosing who will preach their beliefs, teach their faith, and carry out their mission." - Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. (AP photo)

High court ruling landmark for religion

Religious organizations won a landmark victory Wednesday as the Supreme Court held that churches have the right to make employment decisions free from government interference over discrimination laws. Published January 11, 2012

** FILE ** Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar stands in front of a map of the Grand Canyon as he announces a 20-year ban on new mining claims. (Associated Press)

Grand Canyon uranium put off-limits

Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar placed a 20-year moratorium Monday on new uranium mining claims in the Grand Canyon region over the objections of Western Republicans, who insisted the ban would deliver an unnecessary blow to the Northern Arizona economy. Published January 9, 2012

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, talks to reporters about balancing the budget, Wednesday, June 29, 2011, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Veteran Hatch gets challenger

For all the talk of Sen. Orrin G. Hatch's political vulnerability, the veteran Utah Republican had managed to deflect all serious challengers until Wednesday, when state Sen. Dan Liljenquist entered the primary race. Published January 4, 2012

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper

Colorado to challenge school-funding ruling

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Wednesday that he would appeal a budget-busting court ruling on school finance to the state Supreme Court. Published December 21, 2011

Denver District Judge Sheila Rappaport

Judge: Colo. fails to provide enough for schools

That sound you don't hear is Colorado lawmakers holding their breath over a court case that could upend the cash-strapped state's budget and tax structure. Published December 19, 2011

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow signs some autographs before a game Dec. 4 in Minneapolis. Mr. Tebow's exploits, including an overtime win Sunday, have made him "the talk of the NFL." (Associated Press)

Tebow fever grips Denver

Coloradans — even the non-football fans — are as shocked and awed as anyone by the miracle occurring in their own backyard with the rise of Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback and quite possibly the most famous Christian bachelor to walk the Earth in the past 2,000 years. Published December 12, 2011

** FILE ** New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Associated Press)

N.Y., Calif. governors press tax hike on rich

In the space of a few days this week, the Democratic governors of California and New York have backed a bet that voters will embrace the idea of raising taxes on the rich to solve their states' budget woes. Published December 7, 2011

"I simply cannot participate once again in something I believe to be morally wrong," says Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber in announcing that he was halting the execution of a double murderer -and that no more executions will happen while he is in office. (Associated Press)

In Oregon, a new debate on halting executions

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says he intended to start a debate about the death penalty when he announced at an emotional news conference last week that he would block all executions for the remainder of his term. Published November 30, 2011

**FILE** An Amazon.com employee grabs boxes to load onto a truck at the company's Fernley, Nev., warehouse. (Associated Press)

Bricks-and-mortar stores aim to nail down sales tax

Buying online, especially when it comes to jewelry, cameras, computers and other high-end electronics, can save consumers a hefty chunk of change since no sales tax is charged. But the costs to traditional retailers, not to mention state and local governments, are mounting. Published November 24, 2011

Gay-marriage foes win ruling in California

Supporters of traditional marriage scored a crucial victory Thursday as the California Supreme Court ruled that sponsors of Proposition 8 and other ballot measures are entitled to defend the initiatives in court when state leaders refuse to do so. Published November 17, 2011

Texas faces suit after nixing Rebel license plates

A Texas board voted unanimously Thursday to deny an application for specialty license plates featuring the Confederate battle flag, setting the stage for a legal showdown. Published November 10, 2011

Arizona state Sen. Russell Pearce discusses the campaign in Mesa, Ariz. Mr. Pearce, the sponsor of Arizona's groundbreaking immigration enforcement law, lost the state's recall election to Jerry Lewis. The recall election, forced by a petition drive, is the first for an Arizona legislator. (Associated Press)

Anti-immigration lawmaker ousted in recall

Foes of Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce declared a new day in Arizona on Wednesday as they celebrated the recall defeat of the nationally known immigration hawk who was the primary architect of the state's tough anti-illegal-immigrants law. Published November 9, 2011

** FILE ** Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear makes his victory speech during a election-night rally in Frankfort, Ky., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. (AP Photo/John Flavell)

Mississippi voters reject ‘personhood’ amendment

A Mississippi initiative stating that life begins at conception, known as the "personhood" amendment, was handed an unexpected defeat in Tuesday's off-year election balloting. Published November 9, 2011