Lucas Brady Woods
Reporter, Government and PoliticsEmail: lucas.woods@kunc.org
I鈥檓 the Government and Politics Reporter at 萝莉少女, which means I help make sense of the latest developments at the Colorado State Capitol and how they impact everyday people. I cover Colorado's legislature, governor, government agencies, elections and Congressional delegation.
My work as a reporter has always been about practical, responsible journalism. But there鈥檚 more to it than that, especially these days. Fact-based journalism about elected officials, elections, and government policy helps the public participate in the democratic process and holds those in power accountable. I鈥檓 also a firm believer in public radio as a way get that reporting to the public. 萝莉少女 and stations like it go a long way in keeping the news independent and free for everyone.
Before joining 萝莉少女, I was the news director at KSJD, an NPR station in Montezuma County, in Southwest Colorado. While I was there, one of my stories there covering the housing crisis won an award from the Colorado Broadcasters Association in the spring of 2022.
When I鈥檓 not reporting, I could be exploring a new neighborhood in Denver or a trail in some far-flung corner of our beautiful state. That, or hanging out on my couch with my senior pit-mix, Paco.
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Democrats at the Capitol also pushed back the start date of Colorado鈥檚 first-in-the-nation AI law, shored up subsidies on health insurance and tweaked a pair of measures on the November ballot. -
Two bills passed in Colorado鈥檚 special session aim to safeguard safety-net programs. One boosts state funding for SNAP food assistance, the other guarantees Medicaid coverage at Planned Parenthood clinics. -
Gov. Polis implemented a hiring freeze for state agencies in response to the billion-dollar revenue loss for Colorado created by Congressional Republicans鈥� One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. But workers are concerned the freeze will make their jobs even harder. -
President Trump鈥檚 so-called 鈥渂ig beautiful bill鈥� created some unintended consequences for Colorado: It changed how much revenue state lawmakers can expect in the year ahead, and created a $750 million shortfall. So 鈥� as state lawmakers prepare for a special session beginning later this week 鈥� how will they try to plug that $750 million hole? -
Housing advocates say corporate landlords and their use of rent-setting algorithms are unfairly driving up rents and manipulating the rental market, making it harder and harder for Coloradans to afford rent. -
The Colorado Chamber hosted a panel with all eight of Colorado鈥檚 U.S. House members, focusing on the 鈥淥ne Big, Beautiful Bill Act鈥� and its potential impacts on the state鈥檚 business community. -
Dozens of new Colorado laws take effect this week and they cover more than you might expect. -
Presentations about the so-called big, beautiful bill to the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council on Wednesday was a precursor to a special lawmaking term expected to be called by Gov. Jared Polis for the coming weeks. -
Congressman Joe Neguse and a coalition of lawmakers are pushing back on a White House proposal to slash funding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that supports climate research, including several laboratories in Boulder. -
Northern Colorado saw some of the state鈥檚 biggest protests Saturday, but even smaller communities drew crowds.
