Valerie Richardson

Deaths fan immigration debate

An illegal immigrant charged with causing a two-car crash that left three people dead last week had been arrested repeatedly, but never deported - and now Colorado lawmakers are scrambling for cover and passing blame. Published September 11, 2008

Palin, Obama swap salvos

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin continued to jab at the Democratic campaign Saturday, finally drawing return fire from the top of the rival ticket, Sen. Barack Obama, who accused her of pork-barrel hypocrisy. Published September 7, 2008

For Alaskans, Palin is a force to be reckoned with

When Sarah Palin compared herself to a pit bull last week at the Republican National Convention, most delegates laughed. Not Alaskans. Published September 7, 2008

Ads flood Denver airwaves with new fervor

The Mile High City was awash in political advertising this week, but that had more to do with the situation in Colorado than the arrival of the Democratic National Convention. Published August 29, 2008

Archbishop grabs spotlight from Dems

In retrospect, maybe the Democrats should have included Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput in their convention activities after all. Published August 28, 2008

Pro-life activists vex faith panelists

The Democratic National Convention's first-ever Faith in Action panels were heavy with calls for expanded social programs but were again vexed by pro-life demonstrators critical of the party's stance on abortion. Published August 27, 2008

Denver’s Hickenlooper primed for prime time

Four years ago, a tall, lanky political newcomer with a funny name became the breakout star of the Democratic National Convention. Published August 25, 2008

Democrats court religious voters

The 2008 Democratic National Convention kicked off on Sunday with a first-ever interfaith gathering aimed at luring the devout to the party fold. Published August 25, 2008

Police told to ignore pot possession during convention

A city drug panel has voted to urge police to refrain from arresting adults for marijuana possession during next week's Democratic National Convention, but the cops aren't necessarily on board. Published August 22, 2008

‘Big oil’ label turns in candidate’s favor

Bob Schaffer's opponents have spent the past two months tarring him as "Big Oil Bob," an advocate of oil drilling and an energy-industry insider. Maybe he should thank them. Published July 28, 2008

Push for drilling taps benefits for McCain

Sen. John McCain's efforts to tap voter discontent over soaring energy prices have helped produce his first poll lead in Colorado, a near dead-heat in Michigan and improving numbers in two other states. Published July 25, 2008

Democrats: It’s not easy being green

DENVER | Throwing the "greenest national political convention to date" is easier said than done, as Democrats are learning the hard way. Published July 20, 2008

Unknown man in Ramsey case missing

It's one thing to exonerate her parents, but it's another thing to find the killer of JonBenet Ramsey. Published July 11, 2008

DNA clears Ramsey family

The Boulder District Attorney yesterday exonerated the family of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey as suspects in her death, pointing to new DNA evidence that excludes the Ramseys and implicates an unknown male as the killer. Published July 10, 2008

Obama to accept nomination at NFL stadium

Barack Obama yesterday said that accepting the Democratic presidential nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High will give about 60,000 more "ordinary Americans" the chance to witness history, and his campaign immediately used the event to reach out for $5 donors. Published July 8, 2008

Gay marriage gives Newsom an edge

Four years ago, when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom began granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples, he seemed to put the kibosh on any thought of a statewide political career. Fast forward to 2008, however, and suddenly Mr. Newsom looks politically reborn. Published July 7, 2008

Denver Archdiocese settles 18 sex-abuse cases

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver announced Tuesday that it had agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle 18 claims of childhood sexual abuse against three now-deceased priests, bringing the archdiocese's total payout in such cases to $8.2 million. Published July 2, 2008

Gay Coloradan vies for seat in Congress

DENVER Published July 1, 2008

Democrats gaining hold in the West

DENVER | The last three Coloradans to hold this year's open Senate seat seem to be described as the exceedingly conservative Bill Armstrong, the rather conservative Hank Brown and the dependably conservative Wayne Allard. Published June 10, 2008