Jobs and economic security
The Denver Post: From city to city, Colorado's economic recovery hit and miss
Boulder, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins-Loveland grew faster than the 2.5 percent inflation-adjusted gain averaged among 366 U.S. metro areas last year, according to a report Tuesday from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, Greeley and Pueblo lagged the national average, while Grand Junction remained among a handful of metro areas still contracting.

Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Glenwood sales taxes continue upward trend
City finance officials reported a sales tax increase of 2.14 percent in July, compared to sales collections for the same month last year. That follows a 4.66 percent increase in sales taxes during June.


Fiscal policy
The Denver Post: Denver mayor's 2012 budget proposal holds to pared-down status quo
(Mayor Michael) Hancock's proposed budget - which must clear the City Council - would plug an anticipated $89 million deficit by eliminating 95 mostly vacant government jobs, forcing five furlough days on city workers and restructuring operations.
Also: Denver Post editorial: The hard part comes later for Hancock's first budget
Also: Boulder Daily Camera: Boulder budget managers warn of economic uncertainty

The Denver Post: Foes of Colorado education-funding initiative file complaint over petition worker's tactics
Opponents of a ballot measure to hike taxes for education funding allege in a complaint filed with the secretary of state's office that a person gathering signatures for the initiative broke the law with "false and misleading statements" about the measure. But even those making the complaint acknowledge the law is unclear on the matter of signature gatherers' misrepresenting the content of a ballot issue.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Role of capital companies in Wisconsin's venture plans debated
Out-of-state financial firms lobbying to be involved in Wisconsin's effort to increase venture capital represent one of several bad ideas that have emerged in difficult economic times, panelists said Tuesday at a conference in Milwaukee. Including comment from Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute Deputy Director Kathy White.


Health care
Colorado Springs Gazette: Memorial losing money, in danger of bond default
Memorial Health System has lost $7.1 million so far this year and is in danger of defaulting on its bond obligations, which could lead to hundreds of layoffs, Dr. Larry McEvoy, CEO of the city-owned hospital, told the City Council on Monday.

Greeley Tribune editorial: Changes at North Colorado Medical Center may be sign of times for health care
The news last week that North Colorado Medical Center will close two transitional patient care units causes us to continue to raise our collective eyebrows about the future of the Greeley hospital.