As a Coloradan, I am heartbroken over the massacre that took place at Century 16 in Aurora. It is senseless, as are so many things. When a violent action takes the lives of innocents, we ask ourselves why someone would do this and how can we stop it from happening again.

The state of the economy, job creation, and tax reform are important issues for independent voters. Most people in this voting demographic want practical and pragmatic solutions to some of the biggest problems facing the country, and not proposals that fall purely on partisan lines.

The following infographic features results from a poll of 1300 members of the business community on their preferences in the 2012 presidential election:

Today marks the two year anniversary of the passage and signing of the Dodd-Frank financial reforms. See the below infographic by law firm Davis Polk for more essential information on this law.

This primary season, many states across the nation reported low voter turnout and the disengagement of voters from the democratic process. Voters were unenthusiastic to get to the polls and cast a ballot in the Republican primary, and even Republicans were dissatisfied with their potential presidential nominees. The general election is not looking much better, with general voter sentiment low and dissatisfaction high. Voters are frustrated with their options, and many who were adamant Obama supporters in 2008 have lost faith and motivation.

Earlier in the week, the Capitol community was abuzz when The Bee uncovered an unauthorized vacation buyout program taking place in the Department of Parks and Recreation. A buyout that cost the state over $271,000- which is especially shocking when you consider the scale of cutbacks underway due to our budget deficit. Turns out that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The shooting that occurred Thursday night at a midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado has reportedly led to 12 deaths and over 50 wounded. With hundreds in the theater, many of the movie goers were blindsided by an apparent smoke bomb that first went off before the shooting began. The continuing investigation has spotlighted James Holmes, a neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Colorado, as a suspect. He is currently in custody and is due in court on Monday.

In wake of the tragic Colorado shooting in the city of Aurora, our country's leaders spoke to rally the spirits of the people and send their condolences to the victims and their families. Here's what they had to say.