Colorado: Bennett

News that Frank Pignatelli, a Denver defense attorney, is seeing his law license suspended after allegedly revealing client information to law enforcement officials, drew a mix of outrage and skepticism throughout Colorado's criminal defense community today.

Jeralyn Merritt, a well known Denver attorney, wrote about the development on her popular blog, Talk Left, this morning. "Of all the states in the country, he had to pick mine. Goodbye, Mr. Pignatelli. Criminal defense lawyers work for their clients, not law enforcement. If he gets another license elsewhere, maybe he should apply for a job with the D.A.'s office. Or, better yet, stick to wills and estates.

Stainless steel and glass sculpture by Rafe Ropek outside the Aurora Municipal Center. (Photo/City of Aurora)

The City of Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest, decides Monday night whether to offer insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of city employees.

Stainless steel and glass sculpture by Rafe Ropek outside the Aurora Municipal Center. (Photo/City of Aurora)

The question could be contentious, as a budget deficit estimated from $6 million to $12 million has the city of 300,000 tightening belts at every turn. Some opponents say the roughly $50,000 annual cost to add the benefits is a luxury the city can’t afford. Others say the city can’t compete for employees without joining the 20 other municipalities across the state offering domestic partnership benefits.