State of Colorado Archives: on Welfare & Poverty

Walker Stapleton: Random drug testing for people on public assistance

Steve Barlock: Drug testing for welfare recipients is a slippery slope

"If you are on the government dole, absolutely you should subscribe to random drug testing," said Stapleton.

Steve Barlock wondered about marijuana since it's legal. "It's a slippery slope," he said.

John Hickenlooper: Use marijuana tax revenue to address chronic homelessness

We currently spend more than $40,000 per person to perpetuate lives of misery among the chronically homeless. But for less than a third of that we could invest up front in housing, wraparound supportive services and job training. In every booming economy in the country--like ours--homelessness of all types is a growing concern.

John Hickenlooper: More affordable housing via construction defects legislation

Too many people and not enough units adds up to unaffordable rents and skyrocketing home prices. I've said it before: we need more affordable housing. Part of the answer is the construction defects legislation we almost passed last year and we WILL pass this year.

Bob Beauprez: 2010: 47% of people happy to let others pay the bill

He indicated Democrats had reasons to keep it that way. "I submit to you that there is a political strategy to get slightly over half and have a permanent ruling majority by keeping over half of the population dependent on the largesse of government that somebody else is paying for," Beauprez said.

John Hickenlooper: One Congregation-One Family: churches mentor homeless

One Congregation-One Family: churches mentor homeless We continue to work closely with religious and community partners in metro Denver to bring this successful program to Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Fort Collins and other communities.

Andrew Romanoff: Advised group on free market solutions to poverty