Coloradans' days of shopping tax-free on the Internet are coming to an end. Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday signed the so-called Amazon tax and eight other bills that repeal income-tax credits... Several of the bills will take effect Monday. The tax on candy and soda will not take effect until May 1. The state Department of Revenue sent letters to more than 140,000 businesses Wednesday to notify them of the changes... House Republicans Ellen Roberts of Durango and Scott Tipton of Cortez voted against all the bills.
Coloradans to pay taxes on Web buys - The Durango Herald

In a 40-25 vote, the House approved a bill that allows licensed river outfitters to briefly touch the riverbanks and portage around obstacles when streams flow through private land. Republicans Ellen Roberts of Durango and Scott Tipton of Cortez voted no because of concerns the bill could violate private property rights.
Lawmakers in House OK rafting bill - The Durango Herald

To Republicans, the bills meant raising taxes on many of those who can least afford it: struggling farmers and ranchers, people running Internet-based businesses out of their homes, small businesses teetering on the brink of insolvency. "At the worst possible time, we're making a choice to raise taxes on people who can't afford them anymore," state Rep. Scott Tipton, a Republican, said during the floor debate. "It's an overreach by government."
Cash-strapped states avoid word 'taxes' - The Washington Times

The state House passed eight bills to repeal tax credits Monday, capping a week of debates that stretched late into the night. A ninth bill - a $57 million tax on energy used in manufacturing or irrigation - also moved ahead Monday but is a day behind the others. Between one and five Democrats crossed party lines to join unified Republican opposition to each of the bills. Both local Republicans, Ellen Roberts of Durango and Scott Tipton of Cortez, voted against all the bills.
Eight House bills repeal tax credits - The Durango Herald

It took more than 24 hours of debate, but House Democrats pushed through parts of a tax package worth up to $141 million late Friday night.  The bills repeal tax exemptions for everything from farm fertilizer to Snickers bars to drive-through bags from Taco Bell. Republicans lined up unanimously against the taxes, while Democrats argued it is time for businesses to shoulder their share of the pain in the state's wrecked budget.
Tax war intensifies in state House - The Durango Herald

As part of his six town hall meetings, State House District 58 Representative Scott Tipton included a Sept. 17 morning meeting at the Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss. He listened to concerns of voters for about one hour. Rep. Tipton said he is doing the multiple town hall meetings because District 58 covers about one-sixth of the state.
Rep. Scott Tipton holds town hall meeting in Hotchkiss - Delta County Independent

A bipartisan measure designed to help nab serial predators won national accolades for four Colorado lawmakers: Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, Steve King, R-Grand Junction, Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, and John Morse, D-Colorado Springs. The advocacy group DNA Saves honored them yesterday as “Katie’s Heroes.”
Lawmakers Named "Katie's Heroes" - Denver Daily

Tipton, a favorite amongst party faithful, is fairly classed as a Reagan Republican.  Not unlike the former president, Tipton is an easygoing and conversational speaker who punctuates his talks with some uncompromising claims.
Scott Tipton: Seeing Red - Pagosa Springs Daily Post

"Today, we're saving lives," Tipton said. "I think the true motivation has been the determination and the example that's been set by Jayann Sepich in terms of this pilgrimage of hers across the country to try to make sure that we're solving these cold cases and bringing criminals to justice."
Gov. Ritter signs DNA-collection law - Durango Herald

“We created legislation that is going to save people’s lives,” Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez said Thursday, just before Gov. Bill Ritter inked Senate Bill 241 into law. “I couldn’t be more pleased or excited to see the bill go through.”
DNA-collection bill signed into law - Montrose Press

Governor Bill Ritter on Thursday signed "Katie's Law," regarding the collection of DNA evidence. Ritter, was joined by Katie's mother, Jayann Sepich, and State Rep. Scott Tipton.
Ritter signs bill requiring DNA tests in arrests - Denver Post

"We created legislation that is going to save people's lives," Tipton said by telephone, as legislators and media gathered in the capitol's West Foyer to watch Gov. Bill Ritter ink the new law.  "I couldn't be more pleased or excited to see this bill go through."
DNA bill becomes law - Montrose Press

“The majority wields the power and are able to drive their agenda,” Tipton said. “In my opinion, we’ve done a disservice to the people in terms of back-door tax increases, increasing the fees and on top of that extraordinary increases in the fines we are going to be paying for violating any laws.”
Isgar’s Future as Senator Still Undecided - Telluride Watch

Tipton said he’s more interested in staying in the Legislature.  “I still think I have more to do in the House before I decide to leave,” Tipton said.
Is Isgar in or is he out? Only the USDA can say - The Colorado Statesman

"We did a good thing today," said Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, after the House passed his bill. "We helped protect that population out there called our daughters and our wives."
Ritter gets bill requiring DNA tests on arrest - Denver Post

Scott Tipton - Tipton has emerged as a stellar freshman legislator. In his first year he is already taking leadership on tough issues such as Katie’s Law. Tipton is one to keep an eye on for the future.
The Legislative Session's Winners and Losers - by Rocky Mountain Right

Tipton said that in Colorado, Katie's Law will provide for the expunging of DNA collected from arrestees who are later cleared of felonies, or who ultimately are not charged at a felony level. He said the DNA collected is only 13 strands from millions of markers.
Katie's Law headed for second reading - Montrose Press

“Anything over the six percent limit will now go to grow programs instead of the Highway User Tax Fund for transportation,” Tipton said. “What happened to the crisis in funding for highways we heard about when we passed Senate Bill 108?”
Colorado Legislature Scrambles to Balance Budget Before Adjournment Deadline - Telluride Watch

“I’m really comfortable in the House of Representatives,” the Cortez Republican, who represents several counties, including Montrose, said. “We’re laying out work that will run into the next session and beyond. My sense right now is I have unfinished work here, and that’s probably where I would feel more comfortable.”
Isgar could leave senate for ag job - Montrose Press

The power plant’s “dangerous emission levels of nitrogen oxide have created a permanent haze above Mesa Verde and the surrounding areas,” he said. “The National Park Service has reported that the haziest days at Mesa Verde have worsened over the past 10 years.”
Clean Air Act - Inidan Country Today

State Rep. Scott Tipton discusses legislation from the 2009 session with radio show host Jeff Crank.
KVOR 740 AM - Colorado Springs

“I’m coming from the point of someone who has worked in the trenches,” he said. “I will apply the windshield test of how anything is going to impact people at home. Is the fix that we put in today going to create huge problems down the road?”
Higher Ed Among Top Issues as Lawmakers Grapple With Budget - Telluride Watch

"We aren't simply taking a house; we aren't taking a sliver of land to put a highway through," said Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez. "We are taking livelihoods."
Army's eye on Piñon stirs hot debate - Denver Post

But womens' rights are just one portion of Tipton's agenda. He has also been working on making Montrose County healthier by addressing harmful pollution coming from the Four Corners Power Plant in Fruitland, N.M.
Tipton speaks with Montrose community - Montrose Press

Katie’s Law, which was recently introduced in the Colorado General Assembly with bipartisan support, balances these two important policy goals by using DNA technology to prevent violent crimes while still being respectful of our individual rights.
Protecting public, civil liberties - Cortez Journal Guest Editorial

Tipton said the bill was pushed partly to set Montrose up for future needs.  “A lot of the idea in trying to push the bill forward in terms of making the position permanent was not only to make sure we were securing the funding in tough economic times, but it’s also setting the table for the future, as our communities continue to grow,” he said.
Ritter signs Montrose court bill - Montrose Press

Scott Tipton, a Republican lawmaker from Colorado, recently asked state officials to help reduce pollution in the region. He said excessive emissions have traveled across state lines, clogging the air and damaging the health of southwestern Colorado residents.
EPA Sued for Letting Air Pollution Cross State Lines - FoxNews.com

For weeks now, state Rep. Scott Tipton, a Cortez Republican, has been working to raise awareness about pollution coming out of the Four Corners Power Plant. He’s done the all the heavy lifting to draw attention to the issue, including the research and media outreach.
Ritter runs with Republican agenda, again - Face The State

Accordingly, the Environmental Protection Agency has a role in considering and correcting emissions that have regional effects, as requested by Gov. Bill Ritter, Attorney General John Suthers and State Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez.
Air quality: State officials call for action - Durango Herald Editorial

“Government is proceeding as if it is the begin all and end all but where does the money come from?” Tipton asked. “It’s coming from the taxpayer’s hip pocket.”
Debate Over Spending Continues at State Capitol - Telluride Watch

Republican state representative Scott Tipton- HD58, and Republican Attorney General are out to protect Colorado's environment - in a big way.
Contrary To Popular Opinion - The Constitutional Reporter

Colorado state Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, asked state officials for help last week, saying pollution has crossed into southwestern Colorado, causing health problems.
Colorado officials vow to fight Four Corners pollution - Aspen Times

In a letter sent this week (PDF), state Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, pleads with Attorney General John Suthers to intervene regarding concerns over air pollution in southwest Colorado resulting from the Four Corners Power Plant.
Tipton seeks Suthers' help to combat pollution - Face The State

The mother of a murdered college student urged lawmakers Wednesday to pass a law that would take DNA samples from anyone arrested on felony charges.
Mother pleads for DNA-sample law - Denver Post

New legislation is being introduced that would expand Colorado’s DNA database. Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Reps. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, and Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, would require the collection of DNA from all felony arrestees at the time of booking.
DNA Database Expansion - Denver Daily

"Just as New Mexico would not accept toxic pollutants to be dumped by Colorado into the Rio Grande River, neither should Colorado allow avoidable pollutants to flow into our state from New Mexico," Tipton wrote.
Tipton asks top attorney to address pollution - Durango Herald

Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, jokingly asked whether the offender was controversial professor Ward Churchill, who was fired for what the university said was academic misconduct.
Two words: Ward Churchill - Denver Post

Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, said Colorado doesn't get electricity but does get air pollution from the Four Corners Power Plant located on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.
Lawmaker wants Suthers to help resolve pollution - Examiner.com

Tipton is asking Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to join his appeal to the Environmental Protection Agency for more stringent emissions standards.
Colo lawmaker wants help on Four Corners pollution - KSL 5 Utah

"I think we are deluding ourselves if we think this is not a tax increase just by labeling it a fee," said Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez. "This will cause real hardship in rural Colorado."
FASTER plan to raise car fees clears final roadblock - Denver Post

Tipton and Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, are sponsoring a measure - yet to be introduced - that would require authorities to collect a DNA sample from anyone arrested on a felony charge. If the charge is dropped or the person is found not guilty, the DNA information is deleted from the system.
Murder victim's mother urges law to collect DNA - Rocky Mountain News

Rep. Scott Tipton and Sen. John Morse are exploring legislation that would require DNA collection from anyone arrested on suspicion of a felony. Tipton stressed, however, that any version of "Katie's Law" would have to consider the costs associated with DNA collection and storage, as well as provisions to protect suspects who are later cleared of felonies.
Tipton exploring DNA legislation  - Montrose Press

On Jan. 7  I took the oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States, Colorado and to serve the people of the 58th House District. Since that time I’ve been working to advance efficiency in government, reducing out-dated statutory restraints and protecting our children from predators.
A View From The Capitol - Montrose Press Guest Editorial

A bill aimed at bringing a full-time judge to Montrose County is one step closer to becoming a reality. Right now, one part-time judge handles 20 percent more cases than full time judges normally do anywhere in the state.
Full-time judge could be coming to Montrose Co. - KJCT Grand Junction

Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, and County Commissioner Ron Henderson presented Olathe High football coach Ryan Corn and members of the Class 2A state championship squad with a letter from the Colorado House of Representatives acknowledging the Pirate’s successful season during half time of the Olathe boys basketball game Saturday afternoon.
Community of Champions - Montrose Press

“It’s my sense that we are going to have to do something,” said Tipton, a first year lawmaker. “I am concerned about the fee structure and the prospect of a mileage tax. It may make sense in Denver where people only have one vehicle and don’t have to drive long distances but not on the West Slope.”
Legislators Looking for Infrastructure Money - Telluride Watch

State Representative Scott Tipton is presenting his Montrose County Reclassification bill, House Bill 1037, before the House Judiciary Committee today. This bill would change Montrose County’s classification from a C to a B allowing full-time judges and additional hiring.
NEWS: Thursday January 22, 2009 - Colorado Radio

If legislation proposed by State Rep. Scott Tipton passes, Montrose County court could receive much-needed help with its burgeoning docket.  The Cortez Republican’s bill — still in draft form — would change Montrose County’s classification from a C to a B.
Bill a boon to Montrose court system - Montrose Press

"Seems to me that business owners and employees should be able to work this out on their own without the state mandating that they do so," wrote Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Cortez) in an e-mail to 9NEWS. "This is just one more way that the Democrats are hurting Colorado's small businesses during these challenging economic times."
Lawmakers to try again on parental leave issue - 9News.com

The new representative from House District 58, Republican Scott Tipton of Cortez, said his approach to dealing with the budget crisis is to look for government efficiency in every nook and cranny.
Budget Woes Will Handcuff Colorado Legislature - Telluride Watch

Representative-elect Scott Tipton launched his online legislative office offering an innovative approach to constituent service. Tipton’s online office presents a variety of resources and tools for the people of the 58th House District.
Scott Tipton Unveils Online Legislative Office - Rocky Mountain Right

“Energy development has brought jobs and opportunity to many areas of our state where they were needed the most. With so much at stake, a cautious approach makes sense,” Tipton told the Durango Herald.
Legislative battle shaping up over new oil and gas regs - Colorado Independent

Republican Rep.-elect Laura Bradford of Collbran, Highlands Ranch Republican Rep. Frank McNulty and Rep.-elect Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, will carry a bill next year tethering a new minimum sentence to child rape charges.
Jessica's Law bill gets state sponsors - Grand Junction Free Press

Rep.-elect Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, joined several other Republicans in releasing a statement hours before the final vote that warned oil and gas commissioners against rules that are too stringent.
Panel passes drilling drilling rules - Durango Herald

As part of the annual, month-long observance of National Home Care Month, Scott Tipton, newly elected District 58 state house representative from Cortez, came to Delta to learn first hand about the kind of home health care that is available locally.
Tipton’s visit highlights Home Health Care Month - Delta County Independent