Mount Lindsey Closure

[mtn_hound]

The problem is that the system enables this kind of legal bribery to begin with.

Correct. In this particular case, it wasn't "both sides of the aisle" but democrats cozy with the Trial Lawyers Association that killed it. But state-wide tort reform will be necessary to correct this issue. Texas was able to achieve such reform years ago, and it has worked well.

While their entire power grid goes down when it gets a little chilly outside as a direct result of decisions made by Republican lawmakers. I'm not pro-Dem, I'm anti-stupidity. Ekalina is correct, there's plenty of this b.s. coming from both sides of the aisle, so knock it off with your "you should have seen this coming" nonsense.

[painless4u2]

Nice attempt at deflection of the topic, former California resident. You should have a lot of experience with black outs and such.
At least those Texas lawmakers were able to reign in Big Lawyers and their greedy take. Colorado should do the same. Now, go sue McDonald's for hot coffee or something.

[dan0rama]

Given that it is a bipartisan bill, partisan attacks won't help pass the bill - if anything they cause division and help split the coalition.

I don't think you can say it was a bipartisan bill when (i) within the committee all Republicans voted for it and all Democrats voted against it, (ii) majority whip who is also the chair of the committee voted no, (iii) the bill was introduced by Republicans only, and (iv) the very own CO assembly calls it a "Partisan Bill" (https://legiscan.com/CO/bill/SB103/2023)

I am not trying to be rude, I just think as part of the post-mortem, it's important to correctly identify the problem. This bill gives Republicans a big win. Why would Democrats do that? I think that's a much higher barrier to overcome than the trial lawyers association.

[Jorts]

I love how politics has been distilled to left vs right and Dem vs Repub. Everyone pick your tribe. No room for nuance, moderation or free-thinking. You must be all-in supporting one or the other! ‘Murica!

[amderr22]

I love how politics has been distilled to left vs right and Dem vs Repub. Everyone pick your tribe. No room for nuance, moderation or free-thinking. You must be all-in supporting one or the other! ‘Murica!

Yes. If anything, this bill demonstrates how your enemy on one issue is often an ally on another. Ranchers and environmentalists aren't normally partners - but on this bill, they worked together towards a common goal. The bill had both Democrats and Republicans sponsoring the bill, and both Dems and Repubs opposed it. Partisanship was never going to be the key dividing point - it's more dependent on individual personalities, experiences, and values. For example, the Dem Senator who agreed to support the bill at the last second is a lifelong Coloradan and spoke about growing up in the mountains - those experiences convinced him of the value of this bill. Likewise, there was a Republican lobbyist who generally supports landowner rights - but as a trial lawyer, whose livelihood is tied up in this, he opposed these bills, despite overwhelming GOP support.

Like, I'm a Democrat - and I worked very closely with two Republicans to advance this bill. I disagree with them on all kinds of issues - but on this one, we agreed. By putting aside our differences on other issues, we were able to get something done - and at the same time, we built some trust that makes it easier to work through our disagreements without demonizing one another. The process has actually shown that bipartisan problem-solving is still possible, and helped restore just a little bit of faith in the system. Even though we lost, I really do think it was just the opening act, and the bill will pass in the next 1 or 2 sessions after significant public outcry expands the coalition even further.

Ultimately, this bill came down to personal experience, pressure, influence from donors, and personal opinions - not partisan ideology. Hence the weird splits on both sides of the aisle.

[greenonion]

I love how politics has been distilled to left vs right and Dem vs Repub. Everyone pick your tribe. No room for nuance, moderation or free-thinking. You must be all-in supporting one or the other! ‘Murica!

Agreed. This was my point with my comment last night, but admittedly, I didn’t make it obvious. Many if not most problems we face are too complex for the “all this party” or “all that party” to solve in the political environment we’re now in.

[painless4u2]

Many if not most problems we face are too complex for the “all this party” or “all that party” to solve in the political environment we’re now in.

Funny how when it's obvious it was all one party against, and all one party for, some make pains to try to excuse or diminish the reality. Face the fact: Democrat legislatures sold out to big interest lobbyists and voted against it. Is it so hard to admit the truth? Tort reform works, and that will be the ultimate answer to this issue.

[greenonion]

Many if not most problems we face are too complex for the “all this party” or “all that party” to solve in the political environment we’re now in.

Funny how when it's obvious it was all one party against, and all one party for, some make pains to try to excuse or diminish the reality. Face the fact: Democrat legislatures sold out to big interest lobbyists and voted against it. Is it so hard to admit the truth? Tort reform works, and that will be the ultimate answer to this issue.

Nope, you are right. I'm disappointed too. And I'm sick too of complete tribe alignment to the detriment of working toward solutions these days.

[jmanner]

Oh the irony of boomers complaining about political polarization.

[Jorts]

Oh the irony of boomers complaining about political polarization.

Haha. Not sure if this is directed to me but, uhh, I was born in 1982. So that makes me an ELDER Millenial. And I’m a registered independent. Cool irony, fellow millennial!

[Jim Davies]

What I found sad was how small the donation to a senator can be to change his mind. $2500 from the trial lawyers, and he sells us out? Man, bribes aren't what they used to be.

[Chicago Transplant]

We've got the trial lawyers buying senator votes against changing the liability laws on one hand, and the landowner's lawyers telling them to close off the land on the other. It's easy to blame politicians and landowners, but I blame the lawyers. After all Nelson's lawyer started this whole mess anyway as far as I'm concerned.