Carly Fiorina headlines Pitkin GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner | AspenTimes.com

Republican candidates gathered in Aspen Saturday night for the Pitkin County GOP's annual Lincoln Day Dinner. From left, Pitkin County Commissioner candidate Scott Writer, State House District 61 candidate Bob Schutt, 9th Judicial District Attorney candidate Jeff Cheney and CU Regent candidate Heidi Ganahl.

How will third-party candidates affect the 2016 election?

Earlier this year, I wrote an article noting that minor-party candidates rarely have much of an impact on U.S. presidential elections. However, if you've been following this election cycle, you'll note that there's good reason to believe that 2016 will be different.

Keep the soda ban

Let's hope the District 51 school board exercises better judgment about what constitutes healthy beverages than the state board of education did Wednesday. Meeting in Grand Junction, the state board voted 4-3 to end a seven-year ban on diet sodas in Colorado high schools, effectively putting the onus on individual school districts to decide whether to allow such drinks.

Turning back on Trump, Koch network focuses on Senate

In this photo May 22, 2012 file photo, Charles Koch speaks in his office at Koch Industries in Wichita, Kansas. Billionaire industrialist and conservative benefactor Koch is hosting hundreds of the nation's most powerful political donors this weekend in Colorado.

Donald Trump complains on Twitter that debates with Hillary Clinton clashes with NFL

'They're dead, they're dead, I was right there': How terrified friend of 'jilted shooter' called her grandmother from closet as he roamed party with his AR-15 picking off his ex-girlfriend and two pals Was the hot air balloon that crashed and killed 16 overloaded? Eyewitness says he saw the balloon was struggling to stay afloat and that 'something wasn't right' The Donald is rescued after getting stuck in an elevator during Colorado campaign visit - on the same day he accused the local fire marshal of being 'pro-Hillary' EXCLUSIVE: Seattle house party shooter 'called pal in tears after murdering ex-girlfriend and asked how he should kill himself' 'Monstrous nest of child molesters': New lawsuit alleges ex-student was sexually abused and given drugs at boarding school for young boys Panic as 77 passengers and crew evacuated from a ferry in Marseille after 'explosion' heard 24 hours after ... (more)

Crisanta Duran, Colorado House Democratic leader, set to address DNC Thursday

Colorado House Democratic leader Crisanta Duran will tell the story of Colorado, women and Latinos at the Democratic National Convention between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday. And although she received only a week's notice to prepare the biggest speech of her political career so far, Duran's past aligns well with the campaign of presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

Colorado sends 78-member delegation to the DNC, but two sit it out

As Democrats prepare to nominate the country's first progressive Democratic woman for president, Hillary Clinton, two progressive Colorado women vying for the national stage won't be in Philadelphia. Morgan Carroll is running against Republican Mike Coffeman for a seat in the U.S. House, and Gail Schwartz is running against Scott Tipton in District 3. Rather than court national party operatives and donors, Morgan Carroll, who is running against Republican Mike Coffman in U.S. House District 6, as well as Gail Schwartz, vying to unseat Scott Tipton in District 3, will be home campaigning, their representatives said.

Newly sworn CWBA President Chase-McRorie has local ties

Sarah Chase-McRorie, daughter of Pat Chase of Brush, recently was elected to serve as president of the Colorado Women s Bar Association. Twelve-year-long Brush resident Pat Chase, a retiree from her former position at the Morgan County Department of Health and Human Services, is beaming with pride of late and for good reason.

Blaha, Glenn spar right up to Colorado GOP Senate primary

Colorado's Republican Senate primary campaign goes to the voters Tuesday, with the winner taking on Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet. The waning days featured an effort by Colorado Springs businessman Robert Blaha to discredit fellow conservative Darryl Glenn's commitment to Donald Trump, the party's presumptive presidential nominee.

DeGette, supporters urge lawmakers to “not stand idly” on gun control

Following a day-long sit-in protest on the floor of the House of Representatives over gun control, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette brought the battle back home to Colorado for a rally on the steps of the Denver City and County Building on Sunday. "Every time there's a shooting, we have a moment of silence in Congress, and I pray for the victims and their families," DeGette said.

Colorado GOP Senate race to unseat Dem incumbent is wide open

Tuesday's GOP Senate primary in Colorado is seen as wide open in one of the only Republican targets this cycle. Michael Bennet Colorado GOP Senate race to unseat Dem incumbent is wide open Ted Cruz chooses sides in Colorado Senate primary The Trail 2016: Reversal of fortunes MORE Ted Cruz Colorado GOP Senate race to unseat Dem incumbent is wide open O'Malley gives Trump a nickname: 'Chicken Donald' Va.

The Latest: Colorado disappointed with New Mexico lawsuit

In this Aug. 14, 2015, file photo, water flows through a series of sediment retention ponds built to reduce heavy metal and chemical contaminants from the Gold King Mine wastewater accident, in the spillway downstream from the mine, outside Silverton, Colo. New Mexico is suing the state of Colorado, saying its neighbor to the north should be held responsible for the contamination caused by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill as well as decades of toxic drainage from mines near the headwaters of the Animas River.

Can Colorado officials break through to the feds on train horn noise?

The head of the Federal Railroad Administration got an earful Friday from a couple dozen northern Colorado elected leaders who have had their fill of trains blasting their horns at all hours of the day and night. Mayors and council members from Fort Collins, Greeley and Longmont, among others, asked FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg for ways to lessen the impact of the agency's 2005 train horn rule , which requires engineers to sound a four-blast pattern at all crossings.

Colorado’s 2016 primary will be June 28

Colorado's 2016 primary ballot will feature six Republican challengers to Democratic Senator Michael Bennet , as well as a write-in primary challenger to Second Congressioal District Democrat Jared Polis. Other candidates will be vying for State Board of Education and CU Regent, but none in Boulder County.