Press Releases

DENVER - Gov. Jared Polis signed Executive Orders today to ensure elections can proceed safely and protect access to the ballot. “This is a challenging time for Colorado, but we must not sacrifice our democracy and the right of citizens to petition due to the pandemic. Protecting our democracy, access to the ballot and making sure citizens can qualify ballot measures and can qualify as candidates to run for office during this time is critical,” said Gov. Polis. “I appreciate the work of Sec. Griswold and the thoughtful input we have received throughout this process.”

DENVER — Gov. Jared Polis today announced the appointment of Jill Deborah Dorancy to the Second Judicial District Court. Her appointment is occasioned by the resignation of the Honorable Elizabeth A. Starrs. Dorancy is Counsel for Jost Energy Law, P.C., a position she has held since 2017. Her practice focuses on oil and gas litigation and regulatory matters. Previously, Ms. Dorancy was a hearing officer for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (2012-2017); Partner at Cooper & Dorancy, LLC (2001-2012); Associate at Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, P.C. (2000-2001); Associate at Ritsema & Lyon P.C. (2000); and Associate for Goldstein & Associates P.C. (1998-1999). Dorancy also clerked for the Honorable Justice Gregory K. Scott of the Colorado Supreme Court (1999-2000). Dorancy earned her B.A. from Binghamton University - State University of New York in 1995 and her J.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1998. Dorancy’s appointment is effective July 1, 2020.

DENVER - Gov. Polis today updated Coloradans on the state’s response to the coronavirus and discussed how Colorado communities are coming together in a day of remembrance for the Coloradans lost to COVID-19.

DENVER - Governor Jared Polis welcomed an announcement today that Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs will be the provisional headquarters of U.S. Space Command for at least the next six years. The final decision will be in January 2021. 

DENVER - Gov. Polis today signed Executive Order D 2020 062 concerning open burning. The Executive Order continues the temporary suspension of statute in order to provide boards of county commissioners with broader discretion and greater flexibility to implement restrictions on open burning. This will reduce the risk of fire and enable firefighters and other first responders to participate in COVID-19 response efforts throughout the State. Gov. Polis also signed Executive Order D 2020 063 ordering the continued temporary suspension of certain statutes and rules to expand the health care workforce for hospitals and other inpatient treatment facilities.

DENVER - Gov. Jared Polis, individuals, and communities across Colorado are coming together this Friday evening at 7 PM MT to honor and remember the more than 1,000 Coloradans that we have lost to COVID-19. Friday, May 15 is also Peace Officers Memorial Day, which the state will commemorate by lowering flags to half staff and we encourage Coloradans across our state to commemorate as well.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Gov. Jared Polis advocated for federal funding and resources to help Colorado’s communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor was joined by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment executive director Jill Ryan.

DENVER - Today, Gov. Polis ordered the Colorado and American flags be lowered to half staff on all public buildings statewide from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15, 2020, in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day, and as proclaimed by President Trump.

DENVER - In a letter to Congressional leadership, governors and legislative leaders from five western states requested $1 trillion in direct and flexible relief to states and local governments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to preserve core government services like public health, public safety and public education, and help people get back to work.

DENVER - Governor Jared Polis today launched Spanish language Facebook and Twitter pages to help disseminate important information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Now, more than ever we need to be communicating with as many Coloradans as possible,” said Governor Jared Polis. “By launching these new social media pages, we hope that we can further connect with Spanish speaking Coloradans and ensure they are getting the latest information as it’s being released. We are all in this together and we will get through this together.”