Economics and a hot-button political issue are intersecting in Colorado, as the state prepares to enact several new gun laws.

Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper is expected to sign the three new laws on Wednesday. The first requires a universal background check for people wanting to purchase a gun in the state. The second says gun buyers must pay for that background check. And the third puts a 15-round limit on ammunition magazines.

But the ban on larger-capacity magazines is gathering the most heat. It turns out that one of the nation's top producers of large-capacity gun magazines, Magpul Industries, is based in Colorado. The company manufactures a line of 30-round magazines for AR15, M4 and M16 rifles, and it says it has sold millions "to military, law enforcement and commercial users."

 

The beverage industry throws millions of dollars a year to nonprofit and educational organizations, particularly ones that serve blacks and Hispanics, The New York Times reports.

Is it just a coincidence, then, that Hispanic and African-American civil rights groups have opposed new laws that restrict soda consumption, such as the recently defeated regulation in New York City limiting serving sizes?

That's the question posed Tuesday by The Times and the advocacy group the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and there's no clear answer.

The soda industry has donated to such organizations as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Hispana Leadership Institute and the National Hispanic Medical Association, The Times reports. 

It's often said that getting old isn't for sissies, but baby boomers and Gen Xers may find that's an understatement. 

Americans aren't saving enough to retire, with 57% of U.S. workers reporting less than $25,000 in total household savings and investments, excluding their homes, according to a new report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. 

Even worse, the study found fewer workers are actually putting money aside for retirement, with only 57% saying they're currently saving, down from 65% in 2009, the study found. 

It's not something that workers are unconcerned about, however, as 28% said they have no confidence they'll be able to retire comfortably, up from 23% just last year. 

 

The multibillion-dollar U.S. skiing and snowboarding industry often markets itself with carefree images of people enjoying powdery snow and sunny blue skies. But rarely does it deal publicly with the very unglamorous issues of accidents, injury, liability and insurance.

A new three-part series by the Denver Post has reviewed years of accident reports at Colorado ski resorts, as well as the ensuing lawsuits, and has come out with some interesting data -- information that often applies to ski areas all around the country.

Informally trained resort employees are usually the first on the scene at a skiing or snowboarding accident. That means, in the event of a death or serious injury, the victim's relatives and even law enforcement often have only the resort's version of the accident.

 

Darden Restaurants' (DRI) Red Lobster seems to be testing the adage "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Amid challenges from casual-dining chains such as Chipotle (CMG) and Panera Bread (PNRA), which offer no-tip counter service, Red Lobster is testing a new option that plays the same game. 

The chain is trying two versions of what's called fast-casual dining, which is counter service that appeals to diners by cutting out the need for tips while delivering food faster than traditional sit-down restaurants. 

Red Lobster calls the new service "Seaside Express" and is testing it in two locations near Orlando, Fla., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

 

With consumers hit by higher payroll taxes and feeling squeezed by a jump in gas prices this year, the Easter Bunny is getting shortchanged. 

Retailers can expect the average Easter celebrator to spend $145.13 on candy, decorations, clothing and food, down a tick from $145.28 last year, according to a study from the National Retail Federation. 

Even though it's a small shave for Easter spending, it's not good news for retailers already worried about consumers' tight wallets. Executives at Wal-Mart (WMT) had already expressed concern about a "total disaster" in its February sales as payroll-tax increases hit consumers earlier this year. 

With shoppers watching their spending, almost two-thirds of families said they'll hit discount stores this Easter.

 

Shares of Lululemon (LULU) were falling this morning after the maker of trendy athletic apparel announced it pulled its iconic black yoga workout pants for women off the shelves. The problem is a manufacturing defect that resulted "in a level of sheerness" that was unacceptable in its Luon pants.

This is a big deal, affecting 17% of all the women's pants sold in Lululemon's stores, and it will have a "significant impact" on financial results, which are set to be released Thursday. Lululemon says it will release more details about the recall at that time.

Not surprisingly, Lululemon slashed its earnings outlook. The company now expects comparable-store sales, a key retail metric measuring performance at stores open at least a year, to gain 5% to 8% in the first quarter, down from an earlier forecast of 11% on a constant-currency basis. Revenue is expected to be $333 million to $343 million, versus an earlier estimate of $350 million to $355 million. Wall Street analysts had forecast sales of $353.66 million. 

Pennsylvania's state-owned system of liquor stores, long derided by residents of the Keystone State as being woefully inefficient, is moving closer to the scrap heap.

Voting along party lines, the House Liquor Control Committee agreed to back Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's plan to sell the locations. The proposal, opposed by Democrats and unions representing state store workers, now heads to the full House where it's scheduled for a vote on Thursday. If passed, it would then go to the full Senate.

The Philadelphia Inquirer quotes a statement from Corbett as describing the committee vote as a "momentous first step to bring Pennsylvania into the 21st century and provide Pennsylvanians with the convenience and choice that Americans in 48 other states enjoy."