Brian Eason
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Politics and policy reporter @ColoradoSun | reluctant tweeter
Articles by Brian Eason
TABOR and the Colorado state budget are on the ballot. These charts show why.
When Colorado voters approved the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights in 1992, supporters said that the measure’s new spending cap would allow the state government to grow with the economy. Decades later, the evidence is clear: That wasn’t true. Since then, Colorado’s state general fund has shrunk dramatically relative to personal income and gross domestic product, with the TABOR limit ushering in round after round of tax cuts, and one state budget crisis after another.
Answers to your questions about Amendment 87, Colorado’s graduated income tax ballot measure
Confused about Amendment 87? You’re not alone. We’ve gotten a lot of questions from readers about the ballot measure, which would swap out Colorado’s flat income tax for a graduated system that charges higher rates the more money someone makes. Here’s answers to the questions we heard most often in reader emails: The blue book table shows that taxes would go up for Coloradans earning an annual income of $500,000 or more.
Dónde se posicionan Gabe Evans y Manny Rutinel sobre los temas clave en la contienda por el Congreso
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better El 3 de noviembre, los votantes del 8.º Distrito Congresional de Colorado deberán elegir entre el congresista federal Gabe Evans y el ex representante estatal Manny Rutinel, en una contienda que podría ayudar a determinar qué partido controlará el Congreso durante los próximos dos años. Este distrito electoral competitivo se extiende a lo largo del corredor de la carretera federal 85, al norte de Denver, desde el condado de Adams hasta Greeley.
Where Gabe Evans and Manny Rutinel stand on the key issues in the race for Congress Original
Voters in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District on Nov. 3 face a choice between U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans and former state Rep. Manny Rutinel in a race that could help decide which party controls Congress for the next two years. The swing district runs along the U.S. 85 corridor north of Denver, stretching from Adams County to Greeley. It has featured Colorado’s closest Congressional elections since its creation following the 2020 U.S. Census.
Every company has a loading dock
By Brian Eason During the interview process for my first branch manager job, a regional leader walked me through the location around lunchtime. The counter pickup area was packed. Customers were waiting along the warehouse dock while trucks backed in and out. It was late spring in North Carolina, and the building seemed to be holding every bit of the day’s heat. The regional leader was dressed the way regional managers dressed then: white button-up shirt, long sleeves, and a tie.
Dónde se posicionan los candidatos a tesorero estatal de Colorado sobre los principales temas
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better La contienda por el cargo de tesorero estatal de Colorado enfrenta a Kevin Grantham, comisionado republicano del condado de Fremont y expresidente del Senado estatal, con el senador estatal Jeff Bridges, demócrata y vicepresidente del Comité Conjunto de Presupuesto de la Legislatura. La Oficina del Tesorero Estatal supervisa las finanzas de Colorado y garantiza que los fondos estatales se distribuyan a las agencias públicas.
Jena Griswold, Michael Allen spar over Trump and partisanship in Colorado attorney general debate
At a testy debate three weeks before the Nov. 3 election, Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Republican prosecutor Michael Allen each sought to portray the other as wholly unfit to be Colorado’s next attorney general. Allen — the district attorney for El Paso and Teller counties — characterized Griswold as unqualified to be the state’s top attorney, pointing to her lack of experience arguing cases in court.
Dónde se posicionan Michael Allen y Jena Griswold sobre los principales temas en la contienda por la Procuraduría General de Colorado
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better La secretaria de Estado de Colorado, la demócrata Jena Griswold, y Michael Allen, el fiscal de distrito republicano de los condados de El Paso y Teller, compiten para convertirse en el próximo procurador general de Colorado.
Enmienda 87: Un impuesto progresivo sobre la renta aumentaría los impuestos a quienes tienen altos ingresos en Colorado
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better Este noviembre, se les pedirá a los votantes de Colorado que decidan si reemplazan la tasa fija del impuesto estatal sobre la renta por un sistema de tramos de ingresos tributables con tasas progresivas, que aumentaría los impuestos para las personas y empresas que ganan más de $500,000 y los reduciría para todos los demás.
Proposición NN, explicada: Los reembolsos de TABOR en Colorado se destinarían a la educación K-12
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better Los votantes de Colorado decidirán en noviembre si destinan miles de millones de dólares adicionales a las escuelas públicas K-12 utilizando dinero que, de otro modo, los contribuyentes recibirían como reembolsos estatales bajo la Declaración de Derechos del Contribuyente, conocida como TABOR.
Where Michael Allen and Jena Griswold stand on the top issues in the Colorado attorney general’s race
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, and Michael Allen, the Republican district attorney for El Paso and Teller counties, are vying to be Colorado’s next attorney general. Colorado election 2026 Voter information, candidate and issue guides and more. Follow this page for the latest Colorado election news.
Where the candidates for Colorado state treasurer stand on the issues
The Colorado state treasurer’s race pits Fremont County Commissioner Kevin Grantham, a Republican former president of the state senate, against state Sen. Jeff Bridges, the Democratic vice-chair of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. The state treasurer’s office oversees the state’s finances, ensuring state dollars are distributed to public agencies. It manages a $15 to $20 billion state investment portfolio and secures financing for construction projects for schools and local governments.
Where the candidates for Colorado state treasurer stand on the issues
The Colorado state treasurer’s race pits Fremont County Commissioner Kevin Grantham, a Republican former president of the state senate, against state Sen. Jeff Bridges, the Democratic vice-chair of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. The state treasurer’s office oversees the state’s finances, ensuring state dollars are distributed to public agencies. It manages a $15 to $20 billion state investment portfolio and secures financing for construction projects for schools and local governments.
Proposition NN: Colorado TABOR refunds would be diverted to K-12 education
Colorado voters will decide in November whether to give K-12 public schools billions more dollars using money that taxpayers would otherwise get back in state refunds through the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. Proposition NN, authored by public education advocacy groups and Democratic state lawmakers, was referred to the ballot earlier this year by the legislature when it adopted Senate Bill 135 along party lines.
Amendment 87: A graduated income tax would raise taxes on Colorado’s highest earners
Colorado voters this November will be asked to replace the state’s flat income tax with graduated tax brackets that would raise taxes on people and businesses making more than $500,000, and cut them for everyone else. The proposal, Amendment 87, would raise an estimated $2 billion a year that the state could spend on healthcare, K-12 education, pre-K and childcare at a time that Colorado’s budget has been facing annual deficits of $1 billion or more.
Proposition 136 explained: Colorado income tax limit would hinder attempts to tax the rich
Colorado voters will be asked in November to establish a maximum income tax rate of 4.4% — and hinder a separate effort to raise taxes on higher earners. On its own, Proposition 136 doesn’t really do anything, according to nonpartisan legislative analysts. The state income tax rate is already 4.4%, and it can’t go up without voter approval.
Proposición 136, explicada: El límite al impuesto sobre la renta en Colorado dificultaría los intentos de aumentar los impuestos a los más ricos
A los votantes de Colorado se les preguntará en noviembre si quieren establecer una tasa máxima del impuesto sobre la renta del 4.4% — y dificultar un esfuerzo separado para aumentar los impuestos a quienes tienen mayores ingresos. Por sí sola, la Proposición 136 realmente no haría nada, según analistas legislativos no partidistas. La tasa estatal del impuesto sobre la renta ya es del 4.4% y no puede aumentar sin la aprobación de los votantes.
Colorado PERA’s bonuses were modeled after much larger pensions
The last time the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association reviewed its compensation policies in 2018, outside consultants told the state pension board that its investment staff was underpaid relative to its peers. But the consultants didn’t compare PERA to other pensions its size. Instead, pension consulting firm Aon evaluated PERA’s investment staff salaries and bonuses using the pay scales of some of the largest public pensions in the United States.
Colorado state budget deficit grows to $1.6B, as Medicaid costs soar
The best-case scenario forecast that Colorado budget writers received in June turned out to be too good to be true. Three months later, the budget picture has crumbled again, economists told the Joint Budget Committee at the state’s quarterly revenue forecasts Friday. Analysts now expect the state to face a $1.6 billion deficit next fiscal year, setting the stage for another round of grueling spending cuts for the state legislature and Colorado’s next governor.
Colorado’s retired police and firefighters are still waiting for benefits approved in 2014
In 2014, Colorado’s police and firefighters voted to increase their payroll contributions to improve their retirement benefits. The Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado was fully funded at the time, but members were told that if they didn’t increase contributions, the pension would be unable to afford annual cost-of-living raises. Such increases — a key fixture of Social Security and most public pension plans — protect retiree pensions from losing spending power over time.
Colorado’s retired police and firefighters are still waiting for benefits approved in 2014
Colorado’s retired police and firefighters are still waiting for benefits approved in 2014
Colorado’s retired police and firefighters are still waiting for benefits approved in 2014
In 2014, Colorado’s police and firefighters voted to increase their payroll contributions to improve their retirement benefits. The Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado was fully funded at the time, but members were told that if they didn’t increase contributions, the pension would be unable to afford annual cost-of-living raises. Such increases — a key fixture of Social Security and most public pension plans — protect retiree pensions from losing spending power over time.
Colorado Democrats censure Jared Polis, condemning his release of Tina Peters
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis arrives in the House chamber of the Colorado State Capitol to deliver his State of the State address on Jan. 9, 2025, in Denver. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via AP, Pool, file) The Colorado Democratic Party on Wednesday night voted overwhelmingly to censure Gov. Jared Polis, condemning his decision to shorten the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
Your best employees may be hiding your worst problems
Brian Eason One of the best employees I ever worked with helped hide one of the biggest problems in the branch. When I took over my first branch, I inherited a counter supervisor our customers absolutely loved. If something went wrong, he found a way to make it right. If a customer needed material, he found a way to get it. If an order became complicated, he stayed with it until it was resolved. Customers trusted him because he cared. The problem was that our inventory was often wrong.
Your best employees may be hiding your worst problems
One of the best employees I ever worked with helped hide one of the biggest problems in the branch. When I took over my first branch, I inherited a counter supervisor our customers absolutely loved. If something went wrong, he found a way to make it right. If a customer needed material, he found a way to get it. If an order became complicated, he stayed with it until it was resolved. Customers trusted him because he cared. The problem was that our inventory was often wrong.
Colorado town sued over ICE detention center
This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at coloradosun.com. An immigrant rights group this week sued the town of Hudson in an attempt to block the Trump administration from converting a shuttered private prison into an immigrant detention facility.
Colorado town sued over ICE detention center
An immigrant rights group this week sued the town of Hudson in an attempt to block the Trump administration from converting a shuttered private prison into an immigrant detention facility. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Weld County District Court, argues the property isn’t zoned for a detention center, and accuses town officials of ignoring their own land use codes by allowing the GEO Group to open the facility without a special permit.
Why Most Leadership Training Breaks Down by 10:30 on a Tuesday
Concept 'Under Pressure' shot of a business man. Most leadership training breaks down by 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. Many organizations invest heavily in leadership development. Courses are built, workshops are delivered, and expectations are set. Yet when newly promoted leaders return to the day-to-day work, much of that training struggles to hold up. The issue is rarely effort. It is translation.
Michael Allen wins GOP primary for Colorado attorney general, defeating David Willson
This story first appeared at coloradosun.com. DENVER — Michael Allen, the district attorney for El Paso County, landed the Republican nomination for attorney general on Tuesday, winning by a wide margin over David Willson, an attorney who represented election denier Tina Peters in her failed 2022 recount lawsuit. The Associated Press called the race for Allen at 7:56 p.m., when he lead by 21 percentage points.
Melat Kiros defeats U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in Democratic primary for Denver’s congressional seat
This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at coloradosun.com. Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist, defeated U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette on Tuesday in a closely watched Democratic primary that saw Denver voters reject Colorado’s longest serving member of Congress in favor of youth and change. The Associated Press called the 1st Congressional District race at 10:03 p.m., with Kiros leading DeGette, 68, by 6 percentage points.
Melat Kiros defeats U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in Democratic primary for Denver’s congressional seat
ELECTION 2026 Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist, defeated U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette on Tuesday in a closely watched Democratic primary that saw Denver voters reject Colorado’s longest serving member of Congress in favor of youth and change. The Associated Press called the 1st Congressional District race at 10:03 p.m., with Kiros leading DeGette, 68, by 6 percentage points. University of Colorado Regent Wanda James, 62, was trailing in a distant third.
Michael Allen wins GOP primary for Colorado attorney general, defeating David Willson
ELECTION 2026 Michael Allen, the district attorney for El Paso County, landed the Republican nomination for attorney general on Tuesday, winning by a wide margin overDavid Willson, an attorney who represented election denier Tina Peters in her failed 2022 recount lawsuit. The Associated Press called the race for Allen at 7:56 p.m., when he lead by 21 percentage points.
Live Colorado Primary Election Results
— jump to results — Live results for the 2026 election in Colorado. Data provided by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office and visualized by The Associated Press. For local races and other results, use the Secretary of State’s map to find your county clerk’s website. THE UNAFFILIATED NEWSLETTER | DONATE We don’t tell you how to vote — but we make sure you’re informed when you do. We’re aiming to raise $30,000 before midnight on June 30 to support our election coverage.
Colorado Supreme Court rejects plan to add Democratic congressional seats through redistricting
The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday threw out three ballot measures that aimed to give Democrats three more seats in Congress, delivering a victory to Republicans in the nationwide battle over redistricting. In two decisions on Monday, the state Supreme Court ruled that the effort violated the “single subject” requirement in the state constitution, which requires that ballot initiatives have only one central purpose.
Colorado Supreme Court rejects Democrats’ ballot measures asking voters to redraw state’s congressional map
Politics 4 hours ago Supreme Court rejects Trump effort to overturn E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse and defamation verdict NBC News - By Lawrence Hurley • 4h The court left in place the jury's finding that Trump sexually abused Carroll in the 1990s and later defamed her after she went public with her claims.
Colorado PERA to recommend changes to investment staff bonuses: “We don’t want to be an outlier.”
The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association plans to recommend changes this fall to its incentive pay policies, which have resulted in many of its investment managers doubling their pay through bonuses over the past six years. An initial review suggested PERA might be “getting too far out ahead” of its peers in how much it pays its investment staff, Executive Director Andrew Roth said at the pension’s board of trustees meetings last week.
Dónde se posicionan los candidatos republicanos del 3er Distrito Congresional de Colorado sobre los temas más importantes
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better Los votantes republicanos elegirán el 30 de junio entre nominar al representante federal Jeff Hurd para un nuevo mandato en el 3er Distrito Congresional de Colorado o respaldar a Ron Hanks, exlegislador estatal y veterano de la Fuerza Aérea de Estados Unidos. En cierto modo, se trata de una revancha entre ambos candidatos, aunque es la primera vez que se enfrentan directamente.
Dónde se posicionan Amanda Gonzalez y Jessie Danielson sobre los temas clave en las primarias demócratas de Colorado para secretaria de Estado
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better Dos funcionarias electas de los suburbios de Denver competirán en las elecciones primarias demócratas de Colorado para la Secretaría de Estado el próximo 30 de junio: la senadora estatal Jessie Danielson, de Wheat Ridge, y Amanda Gonzalez, secretaria y registradora del condado de Jefferson.
Dónde se posicionan los candidatos demócratas a fiscal general de Colorado en torno a los principales temas
Read in English | Traducido por Rossana Longo Better Cuatro abogados competirán el 30 de junio en las primarias demócratas para convertirse en el próximo fiscal general de Colorado.
Colorado state budget picture improves — but not enough to reverse cuts to public services
Sentinel file photo The Colorado Capitol seen in Denver in this 2024 file photo. After making close to $2 billion worth of spending cuts and other budget-balancing maneuvers over the past two years, the Joint Budget Committee might not need to cut much more spending next year — and they may even have enough left to start rebuilding the state’s reserves.
Colorado state budget picture improves — but not enough to reverse cuts to public services
After years of enduring $1 billion budget deficits, Colorado lawmakers on Thursday got some positive news for a change from state economic forecasters. The Joint Budget Committee might not need to cut much more spending next year — and they may even have enough left to start rebuilding the state’s reserves. “I’m calling it the Goldilocks forecast,” Greg Sobetski, the chief legislative economist, told the JBC.
Michael Bennet, Phil Weiser clash over ambition and housing in last major debate before Democratic primary; The Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls made their case at a forum moderated by The Colorado Sun at Colorado State University two weeks before the Ju
FORT COLLINS — After months of struggling to differentiate themselves from one another, the two Democratic candidates for governor on Saturday presented voters with a clear clash of styles: A vote for U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, he said, is a vote for ambitious ideas that would meet the moment — a state facing mounting crises in housing affordability, healthcare and the environment.
Colorado lawmaker to introduce bill to cap PERA bonuses after Colorado Sun scrutiny
This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at coloradosun.com. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive the latest news Sign up for our free newsletter to receive the latest news DENVER | A Democratic lawmaker says he plans to introduce legislation next year to limit the bonuses that the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association pays to its investment staff.
Colorado lawmakers look to limit PERA bonuses following Sun investigation
This story was produced as part of the Coloraod Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at coloradosun.com. A Democratic lawmaker says he plans to introduce legislation next year to limit the bonuses that the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association pays to its investment staff.
Colorado lawmakers look to limit PERA bonuses following Sun investigation
A Democratic lawmaker says he plans to introduce legislation next year to limit the bonuses that the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association pays to its investment staff. The proposal comes in response to The Colorado Sun’s investigation last week that found PERA has paid its investment staff millions of dollars in performance bonuses in recent years — including $10.2 million in payouts following the stock market’s disastrous 2022.
Michael Bennet, Phil Weiser clash over ambition and housing in last major debate before Democratic governor’s primary
FORT COLLINS — After months of struggling to differentiate themselves from one another, the two Democratic candidates for governor on Saturday presented voters with a clear clash of styles: A vote for U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, he said, is a vote for ambitious ideas that would meet the moment — a state facing mounting crises in housing affordability, healthcare and the environment.
With no deal in sight, Colorado road funding spat may be headed to voters in November
The Colorado Contractors Association on Tuesday announced it would move forward with its ballot measure to enshrine road funding in the state constitution, defying state lawmakers who had set a June 15 deadline for the group to suspend its campaign. The move sets the stage for an unusual November ballot fight. If Initiative 175 qualifies for the ballot as expected, voters would be asked to increase funding on roads through a constitutional amendment.
As retiree pensions shrank, Colorado PERA paid its staff millions of dollars in bonuses
In 2022, the Colorado state pension fund had its worst year since the Great Recession, losing $9.8 billion. The losses were so large, they set the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association’s finances back for years, digging a hole that the pension is only now starting to climb out of. But in the aftermath, PERA’s investment managers took home some of their largest bonuses ever.
Where the Republican candidates for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District stand on the top issues before the primary
Republican voters on June 30 will choose between nominating U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd for reelection to Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District or backing Ron Hanks, a former state lawmaker and Air Force veteran. It’s a rematch of sorts for the two candidates, but their first time facing off head-to-head. In 2024, Hurd defeated Hanks and four others in a crowded field for the Republican nomination after the incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert switched districts.
Where the Democratic primary candidates for Colorado Attorney General stand on the big issues
Four lawyers will face off June 30 in the Democratic primary to be Colorado’s next attorney general. They include two sitting elected officials — Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty — and two candidates running in their first races — workers’ rights attorney David Seligman, and Hetal Doshi, a former federal prosecutor who most recently served in the Biden administration.
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