Colorado Law Blog

No First Amendment Protection for Bumper Sticker

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:37 -0700

The First Amendment right to freedom of speech doesn't necessarily apply to bumper stickers, ruled a split panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week in Denver - at least when the bumper sticker in question is on private property and the U.S. president is involved.

Feds Follow States on Texting Ban

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:56:38 -0700

U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced last week a federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately and is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department to combat distracted driving since the Secretary convened a national summit on the issue last September.

Mutual Destruction in Judicial Elections Predicted

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:48:10 -0700

A divided Supreme Court last Thursday swept away decades of legislative efforts to restrict the role of corporations in election campaigns, ruling that severe restrictions on corporate spending are inconsistent with the First Amendment's protection of political speech. The court split 5-4 over the ruling, with its conservative members in the majority.

Plea Rejected in Hep C Infections

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:03:05 -0700

Last Friday, a federal judge rejected a plea agreement for a former hospital technician and drug user who admitted that she exposed hundreds of patients in her care to hepatitis C. He suggested the recommended 20 yeas was not sufficient punishment.

Stollers Recalled Due to Amputation Danger

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:09:27 -0700

About 1.5 million Graco strollers sold at Wal-Mart, Target and other major retailers are being recalled after some children's fingertips were amputated by hinges on the products. The recall by Graco Children's Products Inc. includes certain model numbers of its Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems. Graco received seven reports of children placing their fingers in a stroller's canopy hinge as the canopy was being opened or closed. Five children had their fingertips severed and two children received cuts on their fingertips.

Big Insurance Advertises Against Health Reform

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:24:54 -0700

Yesterday the nation's biggest health insurers acknowledged funding TV ads designed to kill the health-care overhaul measure, after a published report said the spots were paid for in secret to avoid a public-relations storm. The trade group America's Health Insurance Plans said it put up funds on the behalf of its members. AHIP represents the nation's largest insurers, including Aetna Inc. AHIP acknowledged paying for the ads after a story appeared in the National Journal's online editions late Tuesday.

New Year for Colorado Legislators, Same Old Woes

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:35:37 -0700

The 2010 Colorado legislative session opened today with the state budget expected to dominate the next four and a half months. The state has dealt with a nearly $2 billion shortfall over the last two budget years, and faces a deficit in the budget year that begins in July that could be more than $1.3 billion. The state has weathered the crisis largely through the use of one-time sources of money, such as cash funds and federal stimulus funds.

Colorado Car Dealer Settles Bias Cases

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:59:17 -0700

A Colorado car dealership has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a sex- and age-discrimination lawsuit. Arapahoe Motors, doing business as Ralph Schomp Automotive, will pay $1.505 million and "furnish other relief" to settle a suit against the company filed by the federal government on behalf of 10 former employees, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced yesterday.

Money Pit Reality in Home Remodel

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:13:49 -0700

Reminiscent of his earlier role in "Money Pit," Tom Hanks is experiencing one of the most frustrating situations many home owners face - remodeling with an uncooperative contractor. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled last year that a second arbitration was allowable under the contract.The Idaho Supreme Court this week has refused to reconsider its ruling in a lawsuit pitting an Idaho contractor against Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.The high court said last week its October ruling in favor of the acting and producing couple will stand.

Colorado Study Shows Risk of Skipping Vaccine

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:15:09 -0700

Children who aren't vaccinated against chickenpox are nine times more likely to get the disease, according to the first study that gauges the risk of refusing the 15-year-old immunization. The study led by Kaiser Permanente Colorado physicians found that about one in 10 unvaccinated children got chickenpox, compared with one in 100 vaccinated children. And the small percentage of vaccinated children who develop the illness usually has a much milder form, researchers said.

Tarmac Tyranny Banned

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:29:23 -0700

The Transportation Department has adopted new regulations today that order airlines to let passengers stuck in stranded airplanes get off the plane after three hours. No longer will airlines be able to hold travelers hostage to delayed flights. From January to June this year, 613 planes were delayed on tarmacs for more than three hours, their passengers kept on board.

Colorado Senator Proposes Med Mal Pilot Program

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:48:39 -0700

Colorado Democratic Sen. Mark Udall introduced a plan Thursday to tweak rules for malpractice trials. The plan is an amendment to the health care bill pending in the Senate. The amendment aims to reduce the cost of malpractice trials by streamlining pretrial court procedures. It does not cap jury awards.

Major Recall of Shades and Blinds

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:32:45 -0700

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) are announcing today a voluntary recall to repair all Roman shades and roll-up blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. This recall involves millions of Roman and roll-up blinds. About five million Roman shades and about three million roll-up blinds are sold each year.

Car Dealers Dodge Oversight

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:27:14 -0700

Auto dealers won't be covered under a new consumer regulatory agency after a vote in the House Financial Services Committee exempting them, despite the major role they play in financing car loans.

Colorado Initiative to Allow Wine & Beer Sales

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:20:42 -0700

A Colorado initiative allowing wine and full-strength beer sales in grocery stores has cleared its first hurdle. The initiative, filed last month, was tweaked and prodded by legislative council and now awaits a hearing with the secretary of state's office.