By Mike Soraghan

Washington - The violence that has pushed Iraq toward civil war may show the success of U.S. military efforts, Gov. Bill Owens said Sunday after returning from one of the hot spots in the war, because insurgents have had to resort to more extreme tactics.

Choosing his words carefully, Owens relayed how Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Donovan, chief of staff for the U.S.-led international coalition, explained the motive behind last week’s insurgent bombing of the Golden Mosque.

“He said we were kicking their rear,” Owens said. “He said their old tactics weren’t working and they had to do something to change the dynamic, and that is incite a civil war.” >> MORE

By Anne C. Mulkern

Washington � Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado lambasted a new Senate proposal for immigration reform, calling it an “unmitigated disaster.‿

“Words almost fail to describe the threat this bill poses to our national and economic security,‿ said Tancredo, a leading advocate of tougher immigration policies.

Proposed legislation released Friday by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn., would create new temporary work status for illegal immigrants able to prove they were working in the United States prior to Jan. 4, 2004. They would pay $500 and undergo a medical exam. >> MORE

By John Aloysius Farrell and Anne C. Mulkern

Washington � Colorado’s two senators were christened a political “odd couple� in National Journal’s analysis of their 2005 voting records, as Republican Sen. Wayne Allard (pictured) was rated one of the three “most conservative� members of the Senate, but Democrat Ken Salazar was dubbed a “centrist.�

The Washington-based journal’s annual survey of key House votes offered noteworthy findings as well.

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan, made the list of “most conservative� House members, but not so Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, whose votes in 2005 left him in a broad “centrist� category with Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa. >> MORE

Washington - Jed Bartlet’s presidency made its debut on Sept. 22, 1999, with White House aide Sam Seaborn in the bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, guilelessly hitting on Laurie, a lovely law student who moonlights as a prostitute.

Seven seasons and buckets of Emmys later, “The West Wing� goes dark this spring, cutting a link to our credulous days, before the Sept. 11 attacks.

Aaron Sorkin’s dappled drama did his country a service by reminding us, in the wake of Monica and impeachment, that public service can have noble purpose. >> MORE

By Karen E. Crummy

Republican Juan Botero, a consultant who once served in the Colombian Army, announced Friday that he is running against U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo for the 6th Congressional District seat.

And while he says he will conduct a positive campaign, that isn’t stopping him from coming out swinging at his opposition.

“Tom Tancredo is a one-trick pony that is obsessed with the issue of immigration,� Botero said. “He has neglected many of the other issues in his district and that’s what makes him one of the worst legislators of our time.� >> MORE

Former U.S. Sen. George McGovern is emphatic. “There simply is no funding crisis in Social Security,” he says in his new book, “Social Security and the Golden Age: An Essay on the New American Demographic.”

Former Gov. Dick Lamm is equally adamant. “We are committing a fraud on our children and grandchildren,” he says in his 2003 book, “The Brave New World of Health Care.”

Over a pot of coffee and great mutual respect, these two college professors and icons of the Democratic Party came together Friday in Denver at my invitation. They dissected each other’s arguments with such intelligence and conviction, it was enough to make even an anti-government cynic a born-again believer in the democratic process. >> MORE

By Mark Harden

A White House report detailing problems with the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina called for changes at the military’s Colorado Springs-based U.S. Northern Command to improve coordination of emergency relief efforts.

Northern Command, or Northcom, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, runs the military’s response to disasters and terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. >> MORE

By Jeremy P. Meyer and Karen Augé

Aurora - The Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to pay about $15 million for 24 acres on the old Fitzsimons Army post to build a new hospital, Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer said Thursday.

The financial agreement has been in the works since July, when the site for the new facility was chosen. The VA complex is expected to be at the corner of East Colfax Avenue and Potomac Street, near Interstate 225. >> MORE

By The Denver Post

U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar urged state lawmakers Thursday to consider creating a “renewable energy authority” or similar body to promote energy- efficiency efforts in the state. >> MORE

By Washington and the West

Both of Colorado’s senators say they object to the deal to turn over operations at several large U.S. ports to a government-controlled firm in Dubai, citing security concerns.

Sen. Wayne Allard, a Republican and one of Bush’s most loyal supporters in the Senate, called on Bush “to reconsider this takeover, and to put it on hold immediately.”

And Sen. Ken Salazar (pictured), a Democrat, said that “a thorough re-evaluation of this contract is the minimum of what should occur.â€? >> MORE

By Nancy Lofholm

Cortez businessman Scott Tipton predicts a unified Republican push to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. John Salazar (pictured) as he officially announces his bid for the Republican candidacy today in the 3rd Congressional District.

“I think as a Republican Party, we’ve learned a lesson. We can’t afford to tear ourselves apart,” said Tipton, referring to a free-for-all race for the Republican candidacy in 2004 that ultimately went to Greg Walcher of Grand Junction. Salazar defeated Walcher, 51 percent to 47 percent. >> MORE

By Karen E. Crummy

U.S. Sen. John Kerry said Wednesday that Colorado Democrats should keep an open mind when it comes to supporting candidates such as gubernatorial hopeful Bill Ritter who don’t support abortion rights.

“We need to be more declarative and clear in embracing the culture of life,” said Kerry, noting that he is supporting Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey Jr., whose position is similar to Ritter’s. >> MORE

U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Manassa, endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter on Wednesday, saying he understands the issues most important to the state’s rural areas.

“As governor, he’ll strive to find solutions to the health care, agriculture, rural development and water issues facing all Coloradans,” said Salazar, who represents the 3rd Congressional District. >> MORE

By Andy Vuong

Gen. Lance Lord, retiring commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, highlighted the importance of space during his last scheduled news conference Wednesday.

“Space is going to be a major facilitator for our capabilities for the future,” Lord said from the air base in Colorado Springs. “If you’re not in space, you’re not in the race.” >> MORE

By Dave Curtin

President Bush on Tuesday became the first commander in chief in 28 years to visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, where he said the country needs an alternative- energy portfolio to wean itself from oil.

“In order for us to achieve this national goal of becoming less dependent on foreign oil, we’ve got to spend money, and the best place to do that is through labs such as NREL,” Bush said.

Oil addiction threatens the nation’s security and economy and should be the impetus to jump-start America to a future of renewable energy, he said.

“I recognize there has been some mixed signals when it comes to funding,” Bush said in reference to proposed cuts in NREL’s budget by both Congress and the administration. >> MORE