Instead of rolling up with your coworkers behind the Ale House dumpsters, you could smoke your reefer the true American way this 4/20: Head west and light a spliff for freedom!

While he attempts to put pressure on Congress to pass federal measures that would increase gun control, President Obama is visiting Colorado today to draw attention to its recently passed gun control laws.

Hours before Gov. John Hickenlooper, surrounded by family members of victims of shootings in Aurora and Littleton, signed a package of contentious gun control bills, Colorado's top prison official was shot and killed in front of his home. Tom Clements, 58, had been appointed executive director of Colorado Prisons in January 2011, and had won praise from officials and activists for his commitment to reform; Tuesday night at around 8:30, he answered his front door and was killed by an unknown gunman. Police have no suspects, but prisons have been placed on a partial lock-down and security has been increased at the state capitol and the governor's mansion. In an emotional press conference, Hickenlooper called Clements' murder "an act of intimidation." Hours later, the governor signed a series of new laws requiring background checks for private gun sales and banning magazines with more than 15 rounds, the end result of a long and emotional process. "I started crying," Tom Mauser—whose son was killed at Columbine High in 1999—told The New York Times. [Denver Post | Denver CBS | NYT]

Applebee's waitress Brianna Priddy never expected to encounter her stolen driver's license again, much less in her own restaurant after having it handed to her by a customer who turned out to be the person who stole it in the first place.

Denver police are investigating a shooting this morning that left three dead, including two children. Another child was injured and taken to the hospital; all three children involved are under 10 years old.

An elementary school in Colorado has suspended a second grader for violating one of its "absolutes" prohibiting games involving pretend weapons.

This month was supposed to represent some sort of closure for Aurora, Colo., with the Cinemark that was the site of last summer's mass shooting set to reopen on Jan. 17 in a ceremony attended by the town's mayor and the state's governor. Instead it could also be marked by tragedy: police believe a gunman there is currently holding three or four hostages in a town house.

Earlier today, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed an executive order adding Amendment 64 to the state's constitution. In case you're not up to date on your Colorado state amendments, this means recreational use of marijuana is now legal in Colorado. Great news. But decriminalized weed raises several interesting legal challenges, the most challenging of which is: How high is too high to drive?

Back in August, officials at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs and Boulder campuses announced the creation of a separate dorm for students aged 21 and older with concealed-carry gun permits. So far, exactly zero CU students have elected to move in, according to a university spokesperson.

So hey, Washington and Colorado legalized weed yesterday, which is AWESOME and makes me want to smoke a bowl and listen to My Bloody Valentine while naked.

Colorado legalizes pot. Still, "don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly," warns Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Of the "Stoner Dog" meme, the website Meme Generator says, "it is very difficult not to look at this meme and burst out laughing immediately."

In a tale that will soon pass into Mom Urban Legend, a 7-year-old girl in Colorado, a 7-year-old girl not so very different from you, in fact, in a Colorado much like your own state, played near a dead squirrel after her mom told her to leave it alone. And do you know what happened to that little girl?

A 'rude' telemarketer forced law enforcement officials in Mead, Colorado, to evacuate residents from several homes after he called back a homeowner who had hung up on him and threatened to blow up his house.

A silent seven-second call may prove crucial to the defense of James Holmes, the gunman charged with opening fire on a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in July.

At a hearing today, lawyers for Aurora mass shooter James Holmes said their client is mentally ill. Many have speculated that this will pave the way for a "not guilty by reason of insanity" defense.

The Governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, announced today he is separating from his wife of ten years, Helen Thorpe.

While some choose to debate about gun control or the state of healthcare for the mentally ill, other stalwart truthseekers have made it their mission to get to the bottom of James Holmes' massacre at a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

Appearing on CNN's State of the Union to discuss the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado governor John Hickenlooper said that "act[s] of evil" are not necessarily preventable with stricter gun control laws.

Authorities have identified 24-year-old James Holmes as the man who entered a Colorado movie theater early Friday morning and opened fire on a crowded screening of The Dark Knight. That's him above, in a photo from CU, where he was a student.