Valerie Richardson
Articles by Valerie Richardson
Election 2012: First the voting, then counting, then challenges
For those who can't wait until the 2012 presidential election is finally over on Wednesday: not so fast. Published November 4, 2012
176 initiatives on ballots on Election Day
Ballot measures on marijuana and marriage are drawing the lion's share of media attention across the country, but other propositions included on this year's ballot could affect everything from the food you eat to how much you pay in taxes. Published October 31, 2012
Governor fights legalizing of pot in Colorado
Ordinarily Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Democrat, enjoys being ahead of the curve — but not when it comes to being the first state to legalize marijuana for nonmedical use. Published October 30, 2012
Despite ground support, Berkley struggles to soar in Nevada
Democratic operatives in Nevada are pumping voters here to the polls like nickels into a slot machine, and yet their efforts may not be enough for Senate candidate Shelley Berkley. Published October 27, 2012
Poll sees rising resistance to California tax hike
California Gov. Jerry Brown's $6 billion tax-increase initiative is losing steam as it enters the final stretch of the race, according to a poll released Thursday. Published October 25, 2012
California governor takes risk with proposal to raise taxes
There's something cruel yet comical in the way that California voters continually elect Democrats and then forbid them from raising taxes. Published October 23, 2012
Calif.’s Democrat-vs.-Democrat, Berman-Sherman contest may be nation’s nastiest
A U.S. House contest in Southern California may be the country's most bitter — even though both candidates are Democrats and respected, longtime incumbents. Published October 20, 2012
Montana’s Tester says he’s not Obama’s ‘twin’ in tight Senate race
President Obama hasn't visited Montana in years, but he's casting a long shadow over Democratic Sen. Jon Tester's re-election chances. Published October 10, 2012
Denver schools’ attempt to spur student ‘revolution’ backfires
Students in the Denver Public Schools need to know reading, writing and 'rithmetic, but what about the fourth "r" — revolution? Published October 8, 2012
Campaign surrogates still dissecting Obama-Romney debate
Obama campaign strategists aren't ready to hand over the 2012 election to Mitt Romney after his strong debate showing, but they do want to give him an Academy Award. Published October 7, 2012
Romney adviser says jobless report ‘damning’
Senior Romney campaign adviser Ed Gillespie dismissed questions Sunday about whether the Labor Department's unemployment figures have been manipulated for political purposes, saying, "The numbers themselves are very damning." Published October 7, 2012
Romney hailed as conquering hero at conservative conference
The nation's movement conservatives have not always been Mitt Romney's biggest fans, but activists were downright giddy when the former Massachusetts governor made a surprise drop-in here at the CPAC Colorado gathering the day after his powerful debate showing against President Obama on Wednesday night. Published October 4, 2012
Debate provides politics-themed party for Denver students, demonstrators
With thousands of cheering students, a huge media presence, people dressed as animals and plenty of food, the atmosphere Wednesday at the University of Denver felt more like that of a really big football game than the first presidential debate of the 2012 election. Published October 4, 2012
Debate spawns political festival
It's only scheduled to last 90 minutes, but the first presidential debate of the 2012 election season has evolved into a weeklong political festival featuring rallies, parties, panels and lots of spin. Published October 2, 2012
GOP senators berate Obama over looming defense cuts
Republican senators had a message for President Obama during a town-hall meeting here Tuesday on the looming defense cuts: Get off the campaign trail and come back to Washington. Published September 25, 2012
Colorado tight despite 3-to-1 Obama spending edge
President Obama has practically made Colorado his second home, making numerous appearances over the past two months and heavily outspending the campaign of Republican rival Mitt Romney on television advertising in the Denver media market. Published September 24, 2012
House passes five bills to stop EPA from regulating coal
The House took a parting shot at what critics say are the Obama administration's policies to discourage coal production Friday by passing a package of bills designed to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to impose regulations on the struggling industry. Published September 23, 2012
Defying Obama, House passes bundle of bills to boost coal
The House took a parting shot at the Obama administration's policies to limit coal emissions Friday by passing a package of bills designed to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to impose regulations on the struggling industry. Published September 21, 2012
Impact of ‘2016’ on 2012 presidential race uncertain
Early in the 2012 campaign season, predictions were that a major film would reach theaters in the fall, shine a spotlight on one of the presidential candidates, and possibly influence the outcome of the election. And that's how it happened, except the movie wasn't "Zero Dark Thirty," the surefire Hollywood blockbuster about the killing of Osama bin Laden that Republicans feared would throw the election to President Obama. Published September 20, 2012
Obama hits GOP tax cuts; Josh Romney cites dad’s ‘know-how’
President Obama mocked Republicans for their commitment to reducing taxes at a campaign appearance in Golden, Colo., Thursday, describing the GOP's economic plan as, "If we cut more taxes, everything is going to be OK." Published September 13, 2012
