Labor unions, saying they can't hope to compete with the new breed of conservative fundraising groups, plan to spend less money this year on specific candidates and political party organizations and more on door-to-door canvassing, phone banks and registration drives to help President Barack Obama and other Democrats.

The nation's largest public pension fund voted Wednesday to lower its estimate for annual investment returns, meaning it will need more money from the state, school districts and local governments to maintain its ability to fund promised retirement benefits.

Kaiser Permanente Colorado announced its 2012 Endura portfolio will be available April 1, with 11 new plans available to individuals and families, and 22 new plans available to small group plans.