Nora Olabi, Westword

Nora Olabi

Westword

Denver, CO, United States

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Past:
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Past articles by Nora:

Walker Stapleton Approves $500 Million in Bonds After Dems Accuse Him of "Ideologically Motivated" Delays

Two months after Walker Stapleton skipped a legislative committee meeting discussing his office’s funding delays, the Colorado treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate this week finally signed off on $500 million in bonds for critical infrastructure and road-construction projects across the state. But the... → Read More

Joseph Salazar to Create Institute to Groom Progressive Candidates for Political Office

The June primaries are long gone, and Thornton Democrat Joseph Salazar will officially give up his House seat after the November elections. So what does a politician do when he's out of a job? → Read More

Direct Action Partners Stole Initiative 97 Petitions, Colorado Rising Charges

The fight for 2,500-foot setbacks has taken an unexpected turn after the signature gathering firm that was supposed to help Initiative 97 make the November ballot abruptly quit last week and allegedly taking thousands of signatures with it out the door. → Read More

Walker Stapleton Absent From Capital Development Committee on His Funding Delays

House Democrats on the Capital Development Committee have accused Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Walker Stapleton of delaying funding for $120 million in critical infrastructure projects. → Read More

Walker Stapleton Fires Back at House Democrats Daneya Esgar, Chris Hansen Over Capital Construction Bonds

Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton says he has a reason for not funding high priority construction and maintenance projects in the state, but he does an about-face almost as soon as he utters the words. → Read More

RTD Open Houses Collecting Input Fare Increases, Low-Income Pass

The transit agency is hosting open houses to discuss three proposals. → Read More

Denver Cruiser Founder Brad Evans Vying for Seat on Regional Transportation District Board of Directors

The man behind Denver FUGLY and Denver Cruiser Ride is known as an elaborate prankster, but this year, he is trying to run as a first-time candidate for RTD's board of directors. → Read More

Hickenlooper Asks COGCC to Eliminate Orphaned Wells Backlog Costing the State $25 Million

Governor John Hickenlooper calls on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to eliminate its backlog of orphaned wells, which pose an environmental risk of soil and groundwater contamination to the state. → Read More

Dennis Gallagher Apologetic About His Namesake Tax Amendment, Helps Legislators Find Alternative

Towering political figure Dennis Gallagher is being called out of retirement to help mend his legacy and save the state's future. → Read More

One of the Least Understood Statewide Offices Up for Grabs in November Controls Elections

Democrat Jena Griswold is challenging incumbent Wayne Williams for the secretary of state position, which controls elections in Colorado. → Read More

One of the Least Understood Statewide Offices Up for Grabs in November Controls Elections

Democrat Jena Griswold is challenging incumbent Wayne Williams for the secretary of state position, which controls elections in Colorado. → Read More

Faith Winter Tammy Story Jessie Danielson Take on Republican Challengers to Flip Colorado Senate

The state Democratic party isn't just focusing its attention on the battle between Jared Polis and Walker Stapleton for governor. The Republican-controlled Senate is up for grabs, too. → Read More

Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez in Democratic Primary to Replace Dan Pabon in House District 4

Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez is a native of northwest Denver who is in a competitive three-way Democratic primary to replace term-limited Dan Pabon to represent the Berkeley, West Highland and West Colfax communities. → Read More

Rochelle Galindo Running to Become First Lesbian Latinx Millennial in Colorado House

Greeley-native Rochelle Galindo, 28, is running to replace term-limited Representative Dave Young as the first lesbian, Latinx millennial to represent House District 50 in otherwise solidly red Weld County. → Read More

Where the Bernie-Crats? The Top Progressives in the Primaries

The rift between so-called establishment Democrats, i.e. Hillary Clinton and her ilk, and a new wave of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders-inspired candidates has defined this primary election cycle on the left. Here are the top progressive candidates running in the 2018 primaries. → Read More

Here Are the Complaints Against and Disciplinary Records of Police Chief Candidates

Five candidates are now in the running to be the next Denver police chief after retiring Chief Robert White stepped down in the wake of two personal scandals. But what do we know about these men and their own run-ins with the law? Who will the city trust to be an ethical leader? Here are the disciplinary histories of each of the candidates during their tenure with the Denver Police Department. → Read More

Charter School Autonomy a Double-Edged Sword for Families Who Want More From Schools

Two elite charter schools in the Denver area — Stargate School and STEM School Highlands Ranch — are some of the highest-performing schools in their respective districts. Both have long wait lists of parents eager to wield their choice and enroll their children. But families in both schools have learned the hard way that charter schools can come with a heavy price. → Read More

Colorado Republicans Use Masterpiece Cakeshop Court Decision to Rally Support for November Elections

Just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Lakewood baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, Republican state lawmakers jumped on the chance to get voters to turn out for the November elections. They say that if a red majority sweeps into office, there could be reforms to the Colorado Civil Rights Division and its commission, which started it all. → Read More

Denver for Psilocybin Ballot Initiative Faces Delays, Could Get Pushed to May 2019

Three months into the petition approval process, and Denver for Psilocybin still hasn't received approval to circulate its petition. Will Denver get the opportunity this year to become a psychedelic safe haven? → Read More

The Worst, Most Hypocritical Gubernatorial Campaign Ads So Far

Campaign ads for the hottest political race of the season are taking over television screens and are even popping up over your favorite YouTube videos. From Vic Mitchell's paranoid ramblings of Colorado becoming California and Polis' #epicfail on his anti-gun ad, we've cherry-picked the worst and the funniest ads in the run up to the primary election for Colorado governor. → Read More