Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
In Hawaii, Mormons try a more muted strategy against gay marriage
With the Hawaii Legislature poised to usher in the legalization of same-sex marriage, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears to be shifting its approach from offense to defense. Published October 6, 2013
Recalled over guns, loser fires parting shot
Two Republicans were sworn in Thursday to replace ousted Democratic state Sens. Angela Giron and John Morse, capping Colorado's history-making recall elections and signaling a shift in the state's political direction. Published October 3, 2013
NRA threatens suit over Calif. gun bill
The National Rifle Association plans to sue the state of California if Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill restricting the sale of some commonly used hunting rifles, raising the stakes as the deadline approaches for the governor's decision. Published October 2, 2013
Colo. flood relief snared in shutdown debate
Democrats are sending mixed messages over whether the government shutdown will hamper Colorado's flood-recovery efforts. Published October 2, 2013
Iran position on Holocaust doesn’t signal thaw with Israel
The Iranian foreign minister condemned the Holocaust as a "heinous crime" Sunday in what was seen as the latest step by Iran to improve its hostile relations with the U.S. Published September 29, 2013
Cruz puts blame for shutdown at the feet of Reid, Democrats
He spent 21 hours last week debating and denouncing Obamacare on the Senate floor, but it turns out Sen. Ted Cruz wasn't finished. Published September 29, 2013
Pro-frackers try to stem leak claims
Anti-fracking groups drumming up alarm over oil leaks from last week's epic Colorado floods are running into pushback from those who say the activists are overstating the problem to advance a political agenda. Published September 25, 2013
Gun owners surrender to Starbucks, respect anti-firearms policy
Gun owners are devoted to the Second Amendment, but it turns out many of them are also fans of caramel macchiatos. Published September 21, 2013
California’s great gun grab: State’s sweeping gun control bills target firearms, ammo — and hunting
Breaking new ground in the state-level battle over firearms, the Democratic-dominated California state legislature has taken gun control into uncharted territory with a flurry of new bills that target not just firearms and ammunition, but also recreational hunting. Published September 20, 2013
Civil rights panel members urge rejection in Hawaiian tribal status fight
Members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights are urging President Obama to reject Democratic requests to grant tribal status to Native Hawaiians by executive order, saying the unilateral move would be "unwise and unconstitutional." Published September 17, 2013
After the floods, a ‘stronger’ Colorado
Colorado officials drew inspiration from the Denver Broncos as they vowed Monday to rebuild the state's infrastructure better than it was after epic flooding destroyed homes, roads and bridges along the heavily populated Front Range. Published September 16, 2013
Flood-rocked Colorado finds inspiration in Peyton Manning, Broncos
Colorado officials drew inspiration from the Denver Broncos as they vowed Monday to rebuild the state's infrastructure better than it was after epic flooding destroyed homes, roads and bridges along the heavily populated Front Range. Published September 16, 2013
Colorado: Another deluge, no relief from epic flooding
A summer that began with ferocious wildfires ended with disastrous floods in Colorado as a late burst of rain Sunday hampered rescue efforts and fueled flash-flood warnings in waterlogged communities. Published September 15, 2013
Recall of Colo. legislators hobbles Democrats
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper hobbled into a news conference Wednesday on crutches after hip surgery, a fitting metaphor for state Democrats following this week's historic recall election. Published September 12, 2013
Colorado recalls portend ill for Democratic governor
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper hobbled into a Wednesday press conference on crutches after hip surgery, a fitting metaphor for state Democrats following this week's historic recall election. Published September 12, 2013
Pollster blasted for sitting on survey showing Colorado Dem losing recall
Public Policy Polling came under fire Wednesday after the firm admitted that it withheld a poll from the public last week that showed Colorado state Sen. Angela Giron losing her recall election by double digits. Published September 11, 2013
Colorado voters deal blow to gun control with stunning recall of 2 Democrats
A Rocky Mountain earthquake in the form of Tuesday's successful recall drives targeting two prominent Democrats who advocate gun control has shifted the state and national political landscape going into the 2014 elections. Published September 10, 2013
George W. Bush honored for Africa work by University of Denver; protesters rally
Former President George W. Bush was honored Monday by the University of Denver as protesters rallied noisily outside, calling him a "war criminal" and saying he was undeserving of the award. Published September 9, 2013
Colorado recalls for state legislators likely to be close
Tuesday's Colorado recall elections, pitting energized gun owners against well-funded Democrats, careened toward the finish line with weekend get-out-the-vote drives as analysts attempted to predict which way voters are leaning. Published September 8, 2013
Purposely casting ballot in wrong city, Coloradan shows flaws in new election law
Jon Caldara has never actually lived in Colorado Springs — he's a longtime Boulder resident — but Saturday he cast a ballot in the recall election of state Sen. John Morse, who represents a district in Colorado Springs. Published September 8, 2013