Valerie Richardson

Gay group in, values groups out at CPAC

Social and economic conservatives have worked together under the mantle of the Republican Party since Ronald Reagan made them the core of his 1980 coalition, but the alliance now may be fraying. Published January 5, 2011

San Diego memorial cross ruled to be unconstitutional

A cross perched atop San Diego's Mount Soledad for nearly a century is unconstitutional and must be removed, according to a federal court ruling Tuesday. Published January 4, 2011

CPAC attendance raises gay issue

Some of the biggest names in social conservatism are opting out of the upcoming high-profile Conservative Political Action Conference in response to what they see as the growing marginalization of social issues, culminating in the participation of GOProud, a gay-rights Republican group. Published December 29, 2010

Arizona lawmaker set to ramp up fight against illegals

Arizona took a public-relations punch to the gut after passing the nation's toughest anti-illegal-immigration law earlier this year, but anyone who thinks (or hopes) the state Legislature will lower its profile on the border-security issue in 2011 likely will be disappointed. Published December 28, 2010

Western states win people power in census

Americans continued to heed Horace Greeley's advice and go West, as states in the Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions emerged as the big gainers in the 2010 U.S. Census report. Published December 22, 2010

Obama adopts U.N. manifesto on rights of indigenous peoples

President Obama announced Thursday that the U.S. would reverse the position of the Bush administration and become the last nation to drop its opposition to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Published December 16, 2010

Anti-illegals activist to target voter fraud

Outside of Kansas, Kris Kobach is best known as an expert on immigration issues. He's the author of Arizona's anti-illegal-immigration law, a longtime counsel to the Immigration Law Reform Institute and a hero within the border-security movement. Published December 15, 2010

Appeals court hears pros, cons of gay marriage for California

The fight over California's same-sex marriage ban unfolded Monday before television audiences as attorneys began arguing the validity of Proposition 8 before a federal appeals court in proceedings broadcast live and watched by those anxious about the outcome and possible national implications of the case. Published December 6, 2010

State, local lawmakers seek alternatives to TSA airport screenings

A coach-class rebellion against the Transportation Security Administration is brewing as state and local lawmakers challenge the agency's right to implement its invasive airport-safety protocols. Published December 2, 2010

Churchill loses appeal of university firing

Former University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill won't be returning to the classroom anytime soon after losing his appeal Wednesday to get his job back. Published November 24, 2010

Bristol Palin matches mom in ‘Stars’ power

Bristol Palin had the bloggers and the buzz, but Jennifer Grey had the moves. Published November 23, 2010

Independent panel to draw the line on districts in California

It was as Californian as beaches, surfing and movie stars, but the legislative gerrymander may now be a thing of the past in the Golden State. Published November 18, 2010

Court backs in-state tuition rates for illegals

The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that illegal immigrants attending state universities can continue to pay the cheaper, in-state tuition rates instead of the pricier rates charged to U.S. legal residents and citizens who live outside the state. Published November 15, 2010

3rd-party bid buffed Tancredo viability

Technically, he's no longer a Republican, but Tom Tancredo's decision to run for governor as a third-party candidate may have made him the most electable conservative in Colorado. Published November 10, 2010

Colo. group scores court win in free-speech case

A group of Colorado neighbors who ran afoul of the state's complex campaign-finance rules scored a victory Tuesday when a federal appeals court ruled that the law imposed an unreasonable restriction on free-speech rights. Published November 9, 2010

Republicans grab majority in both Minnesota houses

How big a year was it for Minnesota's Republicans? Let's just say that if Ronald Reagan had been on the ballot Tuesday, he might have finally carried the state. Published November 4, 2010

Rocky Mountains slowed Republican wave

The Republican juggernaut lost a bit of its steam once it hit the Rocky Mountains, with Democrats and Republicans largely splitting the key contested races for governor and Senate, and Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet pulling out a win in a race that was only called late Wednesday. Published November 3, 2010

Reid overcomes Angle to keep Nev. Senate seat

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was projected as the winner early Wednesday in the hard-fought Nevada Senate race, beating back a formidable challenge from Republican Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle and overcoming his own high negatives with the voters. Published November 2, 2010

Republican 2012 dark horses at the starting gate

Republicans typically stick with their front-runners when it comes to presidential primary contests, but 2012 may not be a typical year. Published November 2, 2010

In Colorado race, it’s economy vs. abortion

The pivotal Senate race in Colorado is locked in a dead heat as Republican Ken Buck struggles to keep the message on taxes and spending, while Democrat Michael Bennet pounds his opponent on social issues. Published October 27, 2010