May 11, 2015 12:30 PM UTC

Get More Smarter on Monday (May 11)

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• by: Colorado Pols

We can see clearly now. It’s time to Get More Smarter with Colorado Pols. If you think we missed something important, please include the link in the comments below (here’s a good example).

TOP OF MIND TODAY…

► Joe Neguse, the Democratic nominee for Colorado Secretary of State in 2014, has been appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper as the new head of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). From a press release:

Gov. John Hickenlooper announced today Joe Neguse will be the executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) effective June 1, 2015. He will replace Barbara Kelley who has served in the role since 2009.

“Joe’s experience as an attorney, civic leader, and public servant will be an invaluable asset to DORA,” said Hickenlooper. “Our business friendly environment is an essential part of Colorado’s economic success, and Joe will champion that effort to further grow our vibrant business community and protect consumers.”

Tell us we’re not alone here: We can’t see or hear “DORA” and not immediately think of “The Explorer.”

► Congressional Republicans are preparing to introduce legislation outlining a late-term abortion ban as soon as this week. You know, because Congress has nothing else to do.

► With the 2015 Colorado Legislative Session in the rear-view mirror, media outlets around the state are rolling out their “Winners & Losers” and assorted summaries of the session. Joey Bunch of the Denver Post writes that the middle class was ignored by both Republicans and Democrats; Bunch, Lynn Bartels and John Frank of the Post combine to play Win, Lose, and Draw.

Get even more smarter after the jump…

IN CASE YOU ARE STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…

► As Charles Ashby writes for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, TABOR was the prime antagonist of the 2015 legislative session. Again.

► Republican activist, convicted felon, and frequent candidate for office Edgar Antillon got a lot of news coverage for a political stunt he announced over the weekend whereby he plans to hold a “White Appreciation Day” at a BBQ restaurant in Milliken, Colorado.

► Republican Dave Williams wasn’t able to defeat Gordon “Dr. Chaps” Klingenschmitt in a 2014 Primary for HD-15, but he’s giving it another shot now that Dr. Chaps has his sights on the State Senate in 2016. Republican John Hosler is also running for HD-15.

► Mayors of 11 Western mountain towns signed a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell asking the federal government to require coal companies to pay their fair share of royalties for coal mined on public lands. The Koch Brothers should be thrilled about this one.

► Some residents of eastern El Paso County want to stop construction of a wind farm, but it could cost them millons of dollars to throw a wrench in the project.