The Spot newsletter: The final sprint to next week’s primary election, Denver Post governor’s race debates, an immigration uproar and much more
Welcome back to The Spot, where The Denver Post’s politics team captures what’s happening this week — from the Colorado legislature to Denver city hall, with a stop through the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C.
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We are just days away from this year’s primary elections, and it feels a bit like the world is about to implode.
Maybe that’s just because I’m bleary-eyed from our two nights of governor’s race debates earlier this week, or maybe it’s the mountain of campaign news that keeps growing by the minute. That towering peak comes despite what’s looking to be a low turnout for the June 26 contests (there’s still time to vote!).
Beyond the campaign craziness, Denver and Aurora could soon be a lot quieter as the airport train’s horns days are now numbered, Denverites will likely have an easier time getting tipsy at the city’s parks in the not-so-distant future and those Lime scooters are going bye-bye (for now).
The Trump administration’s (disappearing?) policy of separating immigrants crossing into the U.S. illegally from their children created a uproar in Colorado across the political spectrum — from our congressional delegation to the GOP candidates for governor.
A lot more has happened, but you’re just going to have to read the awesome newsletter below to find out about it.
Fresh news: President Donald Trump has chosen Colorado’s next U.S. attorney, and it’s Republican Denver attorney Jason Dunn. What will that mean for marijuana and immigration enforcement?

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
From right to left Donna Lynne, Cary Kennedy, Mike Johnston and Jared Polis during a Democratic party governor’s race debate at the University of Denver on Monday, June 18, 2018.
ROLL CALL
COLORADO: THE STATEHOUSE & BEYOND

Helen Richardson, Denver Post file
Jared Polis, at 25, on the campaign trail as he ran for the State Board of Education.
Denver Post/Denver 7 governor’s race debates
The Denver Post’s politics team joined forced with Denver7 to host gubernatorial debates earlier this week in what represented the candidates’ final face-off ahead of next week’s primary election. You can watch the debates/read our recaps below. (Here’s who is running for governor.)
- The Republicans running for governor made it clear they are big fans of Donald Trump — but not necessarily all of his policies and actions.
DENVER & THE SUBURBS

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
A-Line flagger Chris Dugent holds a stop sign as the train passes at Steele Street on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.
D.C. POLITICS FROM A COLORADO PERSPECTIVE
This is a very sad situation. My family and I are deeply grateful for all your thoughts and prayers. As a family, we have decided to handle this as a private matter and appreciate your support. https://t.co/6ZmJdUt4DE
— Rep. Ed Perlmutter (@RepPerlmutter) June 20, 2018

Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Global SuperTanker Services LLC’s Boeng 747-400 firefighting Supertanker, the world’s largest firefighting plane, sitting on the tarmac in Colorado Springs June 13, 2018.
THE WIRE
- “Perplexing,” is how this article puts it. Did U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, cut into his moderate image by supporting a conservative immigration bill? — CNN
- Your phone bill in Denver could be going up to prevent a 911 backlog. — Denverite
- Michael Bloomberg isn’t just spending big on the Colorado governor’s race. He’s ponying up in a big way for the congressional midterms, too. — The New York Times
- The city of Denver says local cannabis bus tours are operating illegally. — 9News
- Who did Gov. John Hickenlooper vote for? (Don’t expect a satisfactory answer. We’ve never gotten one.) — 9News
- A Weld County commissioner is facing a recall effort, and both sides are gearing up for a fight. — The Greeley Tribune
- Denver’s City Council members and mayor’s office employees could soon have to disclose pricey airline tickets they receive from city personnel or agencies. — The Colorado Independent
- Bush has become a four-letter word in the GOP race for Colorado governor. — NBC News
- “Airlines ask the government not to fly separated children on their planes.” — CNN
- How water is raising home prices in Greeley, Fort Collins and all of northern Colorado. — KUNC
- A look at the challenge to U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn’s reign in the 5th Congressional District. — Colorado Public Radio
Questions, comments, feedback about this newsletter? Cool stories? Send them our way.
And thanks for reading!
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P.P.S. Here is your GIF rewards for making it to the end of this newsletter.
How I’m feeling after two nights of debate coverage and a week on the copy editing shift: pic.twitter.com/xRToeRmhLT
— Jesse Aaron Paul (@JesseAPaul) June 20, 2018
What I’m anticipating over the next week: pic.twitter.com/cV7Zoy8hBj
— Jesse Aaron Paul (@JesseAPaul) June 20, 2018
Staff writers John Frank, Mark K. Matthews and John Aguilar contributed to this newsletter.
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