Nick Coltrain
@coltrain.bsky.social
Denver Post politics reporter
Denver nonprofits are turning down federal grants, locking doors and using encrypted messaging apps to avoid "unprecedented" ideological scrutiny by the Trump administration
via @sethklamann.bsky.social
(gift link)
via @sethklamann.bsky.social
(gift link)
Colorado nonprofits encrypt messages, lock doors to ward off federal threats. ‘Will they come after you?’
“There’s a lot of fear,” said Cathy Alderman of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “The chaos they intend to inflict on us, it’s very real.”
www.denverpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Denver nonprofits are turning down federal grants, locking doors and using encrypted messaging apps to avoid "unprecedented" ideological scrutiny by the Trump administration
via @sethklamann.bsky.social
(gift link)
via @sethklamann.bsky.social
(gift link)
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
The National Labor Relations Board has found Starbucks illegally fired workers in response to organizing, closed stores because of union votes and engaged in widespread unfair labor practices designed to quash workers’ efforts.
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/23/s...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/23/s...
How Starbucks tried to quash union activity in Colorado
The coffee giant shuttered a store in Colorado Springs in 2022 shortly after its workers voted to unionize. A federal agency later ordered Starbucks to reopen that store, along with 22 others.
www.denverpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The National Labor Relations Board has found Starbucks illegally fired workers in response to organizing, closed stores because of union votes and engaged in widespread unfair labor practices designed to quash workers’ efforts.
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/23/s...
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/23/s...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
“(CU) has definitely been repressing student activists, which is already in itself a horrible thing for them to do … but repressing journalists is a new low for them, honestly.”
Agreed.
www.dailycamera.com/2025/11/20/c...
Agreed.
www.dailycamera.com/2025/11/20/c...
CU Boulder bans student journalists from campus after they covered a pro-Palestine protest
The University of Colorado Boulder banned three student journalists from campus and charged them with code of conduct violations after they covered a pro-Palestine protest in October.
www.dailycamera.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
“(CU) has definitely been repressing student activists, which is already in itself a horrible thing for them to do … but repressing journalists is a new low for them, honestly.”
Agreed.
www.dailycamera.com/2025/11/20/c...
Agreed.
www.dailycamera.com/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
New: Colorado Independent Ethics Commission votes unanimously to advance the 17 ethics complaints filed against state lawmakers who serve in the Colorado Opportunity Caucus and who (with one exception) attended a private retreat in Vail last month, which was partially financed by a dark money group.
November 18, 2025 at 6:12 PM
New: Colorado Independent Ethics Commission votes unanimously to advance the 17 ethics complaints filed against state lawmakers who serve in the Colorado Opportunity Caucus and who (with one exception) attended a private retreat in Vail last month, which was partially financed by a dark money group.
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
New: Federal officials formally requested that former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters be transferred to federal custody, the latest in a monthslong effort by the Trump administration to free the election conspiracy theorist from a state prison cell.
Trump officials seek to transfer Tina Peters from Colorado prison to federal custody
Federal officials have formally requested that former county clerk Tina Peters be transferred into federal custody, the latest in a months-long effort by the Trump administration to free the electi…
trib.al
November 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
New: Federal officials formally requested that former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters be transferred to federal custody, the latest in a monthslong effort by the Trump administration to free the election conspiracy theorist from a state prison cell.
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Despite White House pressure, Rep. Lauren Boebert stands firm on effort to release Epstein files www.cpr.org/2025/11/12/b... #copolitics
Despite White House pressure, Rep. Lauren Boebert stands firm on effort to release Epstein files
Boebert was one of four Republicans who went around their leadership to force a vote.
www.cpr.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Despite White House pressure, Rep. Lauren Boebert stands firm on effort to release Epstein files www.cpr.org/2025/11/12/b... #copolitics
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Sens Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper on their No votes to advance the package to reopen the government. But cited what was not included - an extension of the enhanced tax credit. #copolitics
November 10, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Sens Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper on their No votes to advance the package to reopen the government. But cited what was not included - an extension of the enhanced tax credit. #copolitics
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
After word of the complaints leaked yesterday, Colorado Common Cause was pressured to drop the idea because, Common Cause’s attorney said, it would reflect poorly on Democrats. The attorney declined to identify who had pressured his group to drop the ethics complaints.
Colorado Common Cause alleges more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers violated the state's prohibition on gift-giving when they asked a prominent dark-money organization to help pay for an October mountain retreat // Story by @sethklamann.bsky.social
Colorado lawmakers face ethics complaints over Vail retreat — and how it was paid for
The complaints allege that the legislators violated a state constitutional prohibition on accepting gifts of more than $75 when the caucus’s leader sought a $25,000 donation to cover hotel ro…
www.denverpost.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:56 PM
After word of the complaints leaked yesterday, Colorado Common Cause was pressured to drop the idea because, Common Cause’s attorney said, it would reflect poorly on Democrats. The attorney declined to identify who had pressured his group to drop the ethics complaints.
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
“It is just as effective as us trying to plow a field with a fork," a legislative analyst said of Colorado's $10m kick-in to food banks. With @coltrain.bsky.social, @lizzy-hernandez.bsky.social speaks to the people affected by shutdown politics: www.denverpost.com/2025/10/31/s...
Coloradans scramble for help as SNAP suspension looms and food banks ‘just don’t have enough’
State and local leaders in Colorado, as well as food bank operators, this week scrambled to help meet the already overwhelming demand of people without means to eat.
www.denverpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:33 PM
“It is just as effective as us trying to plow a field with a fork," a legislative analyst said of Colorado's $10m kick-in to food banks. With @coltrain.bsky.social, @lizzy-hernandez.bsky.social speaks to the people affected by shutdown politics: www.denverpost.com/2025/10/31/s...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating whether a federal agent seen on video throwing a demonstrator to the ground outside the ICE field office in Durango this week broke any state laws // Story by @katielang.bsky.social
CBI investigating clash between federal agent, woman at Durango ICE protest
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating after a federal agent was recorded grabbing and throwing a woman’s phone and pushing her to the ground during a protest outside the Durango ICE…
www.denverpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating whether a federal agent seen on video throwing a demonstrator to the ground outside the ICE field office in Durango this week broke any state laws // Story by @katielang.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
ICE detained a Colorado teacher and her family during a routine check-in at a field office last week despite the educator having legal authorization to live and work in the United States, according to school officials // Story by @sethklamann.bsky.social
Douglas County teacher arrested by ICE had legal authorization to work, school says
“We are currently working closely with our legal team and outside immigration attorneys to understand if and how we might be able to help facilitate their return,” Principal Stacy Bush …
www.denverpost.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
ICE detained a Colorado teacher and her family during a routine check-in at a field office last week despite the educator having legal authorization to live and work in the United States, according to school officials // Story by @sethklamann.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Surveillance in action:
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence
"Like I said, nothing gets in or out of the town without us knowing."
denverite.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Surveillance in action:
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Per Fox News’ Bill Melugin, the head of Denver’s ICE field office has been removed and will likely be replaced with a Border Patrol official, as part of broader DHS reshuffle intended to further escalate arrests:
October 28, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Per Fox News’ Bill Melugin, the head of Denver’s ICE field office has been removed and will likely be replaced with a Border Patrol official, as part of broader DHS reshuffle intended to further escalate arrests:
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Colorado’s most valuable company, Palantir, is among the donors supporting Trump’s ballroom construction, according to a list released by the White House: www.denverpost.com/2025/10/24/c...
Colorado’s most valuable company is among donors for Trump’s White House ballroom
It’s unclear how much Palantir, which has a market cap of nearly $440 billion, contributed to the project.
www.denverpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Colorado’s most valuable company, Palantir, is among the donors supporting Trump’s ballroom construction, according to a list released by the White House: www.denverpost.com/2025/10/24/c...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
The entire Colorado journalism community actually doubles as a @jeffreyaroberts.bsky.social fan club for the amazing, relentless work he does to make our state more transparent.
The freedom-of-information hotline, provided at no cost to the public and journalists, is the signature program of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. Today, CFOIC's executive director responded to the 7,000th hotline inquiry.
October 23, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The entire Colorado journalism community actually doubles as a @jeffreyaroberts.bsky.social fan club for the amazing, relentless work he does to make our state more transparent.
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
At Aurora’s ICE detention center, person after person either requests to be removed from the U.S. or accepts a deportation. With bail serially denied to detainees, voluntary departures have surged in the only immigration court in the US with no dedicated judge: www.denverpost.com/2025/10/22/i...
Stuck in Aurora ICE facility, more detainees are agreeing to leave the U.S. voluntarily
The government’s goal, lawyers argue, is to create conditions inside ICE facilities that push immigrants to voluntarily leave or to accept a deportation order.
www.denverpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
At Aurora’s ICE detention center, person after person either requests to be removed from the U.S. or accepts a deportation. With bail serially denied to detainees, voluntary departures have surged in the only immigration court in the US with no dedicated judge: www.denverpost.com/2025/10/22/i...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Airport officials in Denver and Colorado Springs, joining counterparts at multiple other major airports, confirmed Tuesday that video from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown will not be shown at security checkpoints.
Denver, Colorado Springs airports won’t play Kristi Noem video blaming Democrats for shutdown
Since last Thursday, Homeland Security officials have been asking airport operators to show the video at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints
trib.al
October 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Airport officials in Denver and Colorado Springs, joining counterparts at multiple other major airports, confirmed Tuesday that video from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown will not be shown at security checkpoints.
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
A group of Democratic state lawmakers gathered with lobbyists at a Vail retreat. Who paid the tab? coloradosun.com/2025/10/13/c... #copolitics #coleg
A group of Democratic state lawmakers gathered with lobbyists at a Vail retreat. Who paid the tab?
The Colorado Opportunity Caucus, considered among the more moderate Democrats in the legislature, organized the event. The caucus was formed as a nonprofit that doesn’t disclose its donors.
coloradosun.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
A group of Democratic state lawmakers gathered with lobbyists at a Vail retreat. Who paid the tab? coloradosun.com/2025/10/13/c... #copolitics #coleg
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Colorado’s Aurora detention center housed 1,180 people as of this data’s release. Of those, 831 (70%) are listed as “non-criminal.” Data here: www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
September 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Colorado’s Aurora detention center housed 1,180 people as of this data’s release. Of those, 831 (70%) are listed as “non-criminal.” Data here: www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
ICE agents “boxed in” Routt County Commissioner Angelica Salinas at a post office south of Steamboat after she took a video of operations from her vehicle, she said on social media. “I don’t know what would have happened if my husband were not in the car with me,” Salinas says
County commissioner confronted by federal agents as ICE activity increases in Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers “boxed in” Routt County Commissioner Angelica Salinas at the post office in Oak Creek after she took a video of operations from her vehicle, Salinas s...
www.steamboatpilot.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
ICE agents “boxed in” Routt County Commissioner Angelica Salinas at a post office south of Steamboat after she took a video of operations from her vehicle, she said on social media. “I don’t know what would have happened if my husband were not in the car with me,” Salinas says
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Complaints about fake attorneys trying to scam immigrants have surged in Colorado since Trump's mass-deportation campaign began earlier this year // Story by @samtabachnik.bsky.social and @sethklamann.bsky.social
Colorado immigrants are desperately seeking legal help. They often run into fake lawyers and other scams.
Kathia Blanco unwittingly joined a growing number of Colorado immigrants who have been scammed by people impersonating lawyers.
www.denverpost.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Complaints about fake attorneys trying to scam immigrants have surged in Colorado since Trump's mass-deportation campaign began earlier this year // Story by @samtabachnik.bsky.social and @sethklamann.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Social media accounts that appear to belong to the Evergreen shooter show an affinity for mass shooters, particularly the Columbine shooters, whose clothing he copied. He also re-shared Nazi and antisemitic videos and shared an image of a revolver to Twitter: www.denverpost.com/2025/09/11/e...
‘Radicalized’ Evergreen High School shooter appeared to hold antisemitic, violent views in online accounts
Armed with a revolver, the 16-year-old shooter systematically reloaded and fired as he wandered the school, trying to find new targets, police say.
www.denverpost.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Social media accounts that appear to belong to the Evergreen shooter show an affinity for mass shooters, particularly the Columbine shooters, whose clothing he copied. He also re-shared Nazi and antisemitic videos and shared an image of a revolver to Twitter: www.denverpost.com/2025/09/11/e...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
NEW: Burnham Yard is the Denver Broncos' preferred site for a new stadium, the club announced today while outlining an unprecedented, privately financed vision for a stadium and adjoining mixed-use entertainment district // Story by @parkerjgabriel.bsky.social
Broncos name Burnham Yard preferred site for new stadium development
The 58-acre yard is the epicenter of what the Broncos hope will be a transformative project, anchored by a multi-billion dollar stadium and flanked by an entertainment district designed to host eve…
www.denverpost.com
September 9, 2025 at 4:39 PM
NEW: Burnham Yard is the Denver Broncos' preferred site for a new stadium, the club announced today while outlining an unprecedented, privately financed vision for a stadium and adjoining mixed-use entertainment district // Story by @parkerjgabriel.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
Northern Colorado's public radio station, KUNC, will lay off 8 employees, representing more than 20% of its staff, as it responds to funding cuts. Please give to KUNC, they do vital work. www.kunc.org/station-news...
KUNC and The Colorado Sound announce organizational restructuring
As part of this restructuring, CRNC has reduced its workforce by eight positions, affecting every department. This represents 8 out of 38 employees - more than 20% of the organization’s staff.
www.kunc.org
September 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Northern Colorado's public radio station, KUNC, will lay off 8 employees, representing more than 20% of its staff, as it responds to funding cuts. Please give to KUNC, they do vital work. www.kunc.org/station-news...
Reposted by Nick Coltrain
After federal officials urged more arrests in May, ICE arrests in Colorado spiked this summer. As arrests increased, so did the proportion of detainees with no criminal record.
ICE arrests climb in Colorado this summer, but people detained are less likely to have criminal backgrounds trib.al/7gTOXFE
ICE arrests climb in Colorado this summer, but people detained are less likely to have criminal backgrounds
As immigration arrests have increased sharply in Colorado, law enforcement agencies increasingly have detained people without any prior criminal convictions or charges, internal data show.
trib.al
September 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
After federal officials urged more arrests in May, ICE arrests in Colorado spiked this summer. As arrests increased, so did the proportion of detainees with no criminal record.