Headlines Thursday October 30, 2025
AG Sues for Space Command Move
President Trump’s decision to move Space Command headquarters out of Colorado is being challenged by Attorney General Phil Weiser. Weiser argues that the decision to permanently base the command in Alabama is unconstitutional. He says Trump is punishing Colorado, politically and economically, for its mail in voting system.
Weiser told Colorado Capital News Alliance at a press conference, “so there is real costs and there’s, I think no basis to say otherwise here. That was part of the President’s motivation to punish Colorado, to harm Colorado economically for how we use our sovereign authority.”
Last month, the Trump administration defended the move, saying it was a merit-based decision and that Alabama can expect 30-thousand new jobs, increased housing demand and additional business development.
RTD Bans Bus Ads that Cover the windows of Buses, Trains
In an effort to make transit more appealing, RTD has banned advertisements that block window views on its trains and buses. In a vote Tuesday night, the agency decided to end its use of so-called “wrap around” ads, even though they brought in 786,000 dollars between April and September, which represented 42% of their total ad revenue during that time period, according to the Denver Post.
Though RTD is predicting revenue shortfalls, they hope the ban will improve the riding experience, and hopefully attract more riders. In a Greater Denver Transit survey, 84% of transit riders said that window ads degraded their experience. Ad revenues brought RTD a total of 4.4 million dollars last year.
Denver Licenses Considers Harsh Consequences for Noncompliant Denver Landlords
The Finance and Business committee of Denver City council approved a bill that would increase penalties for noncompliant landlords by up to five times previous penalties. The bill drafted by the Denver Department of Excise and License, will go in front of Denver City Council in November
Colorado Politics is reporting several reasons why the department is choosing to raise penalties, including compliance with the Department of Health and Environment which can cite landlords for excessive mold, pest infestations, and other utility charges. The Department also hopes higher fees will incentivize landlords to fix problems faster.
City housing advocates support higher penalties against noncompliant landlords, but advocated for city council to consider a penalty schedule that would play against a landlord’s overall revenue, rather than a blanket amount that would affect small landlords disproportionately. Those opposing the measure say it would hurt small landlords to an unsustainable level.
Colorado Joins SNAP Lawsuit
Colorado is suing the Trump administration for suspending federal food assistance during the government shutdown. Attorney General Phil Weiser joined about two dozen states in filing the lawsuit Tuesday. Weiser argues the USDA is illegally withholding billions in emergency funds set aside for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Weiser told Colorado Capital News Alliance at a press conference, “this USDA, this Agriculture Secretary, is saying, no, we’re not using the money mandated for this purpose. We’re instead going to withhold SNAP benefits. That’s wrong. That’s illegal.”
More than 600,000 Coloradans receive SNAP benefits. The government shutdown will suspend the program starting November 1. Governor Polis said last week that he wants to use $10 million in state funding to help fill the gap. That would only cover a portion of the SNAP benefits that are distributed in Colorado each month.