Rocky Mountain Voice

Author: External Outlet

Natural Asset Companies proposed rule threatens property rights
Approved, Local, National, Rural Colorado, thefencepost.com

Natural Asset Companies proposed rule threatens property rights

By Shad Sullivan, R-CALF USA | SOURCE: The Fence Post Quietly, on Sept. 29, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission, at the request of the New York Stock Exchange, proposed a rule to create a new type of company called a Natural Asset Company or NAC. According to the proposed rule, a NAC would “hold the rights to ecological performance,” giving these companies license to control the management of both public and private lands through quantifying and monetizing natural outputs such as air and water. In other words, NACs would use the air you breathe as currency.  Under the guise of climate change, NACs would make this “control” mechanism profitable without the actual use of the land itself. By monetizing and leveraging the management of these natural outputs their war cry of “eco...
There goes the neighborhood. Collared wolf spotted near Colo residence
Approved, coloradopeakpolitics.com, Local, Western Slope

There goes the neighborhood. Collared wolf spotted near Colo residence

Source: Colorado Peak Politics There goes the neighborhood. Just two weeks after 10 apex predators were released in Grand County, a resident photographed one of the collared wolves near his home and says he’s concerned about his pets and nearby livestock. The sighting was reported by Rachel Gabel, assistant editor of The Fence Post, who was the target of a vicious smear by Gov. Polis’s husband on social media. In addition to his role as First Gentleman, Marlon Reis is an animal rights activist of some radical repute. Todd Schmidt photographed the wolf Jan. 2 just a half mile from his home in Sweetwater, on a road that connects Highway 9 and 131. Schmidt told The Fence Post: “We have pets, and our neighbors are ranchers,” he said. “We don’t want them here. Peopl...
Anderson quits state House race to prevent Hispanic or white candidate from winning
Approved, coloradopeakpolitics.com, State

Anderson quits state House race to prevent Hispanic or white candidate from winning

Source: Colorado Peak Politics Auon’tai “Tay” Anderson has suspended his campaign for state House District 8 claiming too many other Black people are running, which he thinks could dilute the Black vote and allow whitey or a Hispanic candidate to win. Instead, Anderson has created his own non-profit group and made himself boss. After years of GoFundMe's, DPS expenses & other lifestyle supports, fmr Denver school board member Tay Anderson realized he can't win in HD8 & needs a job.So, he's found a nice, new nonprofit home where people can finally get tax deductions for giving him money 🥸 #copolitics pic.twitter.com/u1aul0PTmw— Jimmy Sengenberger (@SengCenter) January 9, 2024 Which means he’s not running for public office. Oh, happy day. The forme...
Colorado Department of Higher Education is slamming other states’ who they believe are anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion
Approved, National, State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Department of Higher Education is slamming other states’ who they believe are anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion

SOURCE: thelobby-co.com The Colorado Department of Higher Education has recently made headlines for its support of Colorado College's new initiative, the Healing and Affirming Village and Empowerment Network (HAVEN). The HAVEN Initiative aims to assist any student who wishes to leave institutions of higher education in five states with anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation. These states include Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and North Dakota. However, this move has raised concerns and sparked criticism from those who believe these policies are based on a misguided and divisive ideology. The Colorado Department of Higher Education, along with Colorado College, claims that these anti-DEI laws create unwelcome learning environments for students...
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters Court Date Is Set With No Foreseeable Delays
Approved, Local, State, thelobby-co.com, Western Slope

Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters Court Date Is Set With No Foreseeable Delays

SOURCE: thelobby-co.com Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters is gearing up for her upcoming trial, making a virtual appearance in court for a pre-trial readiness conference this week. The District Attorney's Office and the defense council both expressed their readiness to proceed with the case, setting the stage for what promises to be quite a legal battle. During the hearing, it was determined that both sides would have a specific time allocation for their opening arguments and closing statements. Each side will be given 30 minutes for opening arguments and 45 minutes for closing statements. The defense announced that they would be adopting the witness list from Peters' previous attorney. Additionally, the court decided to have three alternate jurors, ensuring a fair and impa...
One Democratic lawmaker stayed home on opening day and trolled fellow Democrats instead of going to work at the State Capitol
Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

One Democratic lawmaker stayed home on opening day and trolled fellow Democrats instead of going to work at the State Capitol

SOURCE: thelobby-co.com On the opening day of Colorado's legislative session, tensions ran high as a Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Elisabeth Epps, took to social media to troll her own party leader, House Speaker Julie McCluskie. While McCluskie stressed the importance of civility and respectful dialogue in her opening-day speech, Epps chose to engage in a public feud on social media, highlighting the deep divisions within their Democrat caucus. The contradiction between McCluskie's call for civility and Epps' online behavior reveals the troubling state of discourse at the state Capitol. With a progressive split within the Democratic Party and objections from Republicans -- the decorum and effectiveness of lawmaking in the next 120 days are anything but certain. https://youtu.be/q...
The IRS has confirmed that the 2024 TABOR refund checks will not be subject to income tax.
Approved, State, thelobby-co.com

The IRS has confirmed that the 2024 TABOR refund checks will not be subject to income tax.

Source: thelobby-co.com The decision to not tax Coloradan’s 2024 TABOR refund checks comes after initial speculation that these refunds may have been taxable, causing concern among taxpayers across the state. CBS News Colorado was the first to report on the IRS's acknowledgment of this issue and their request for Colorado taxpayers to delay filing their 2024 taxes until a decision was reached. This confirmation was the result of a meeting between IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Colorado Governor Jared Polis where questions concerning the taxability were raised. This development marks the first time that the IRS has raised questions about the taxability of TABOR refunds since the Taxpayer Bill of Rights was passed by voters three decades ago. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a...
UN Security Council to vote on a resolution demanding Houthi rebels stop attacks on Red Sea shipping
Approved, denvergazette.com, National

UN Security Council to vote on a resolution demanding Houthi rebels stop attacks on Red Sea shipping

By EDITH M. LEDERER - Associated Press | Source: Denver Gazette UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council demanded an immediate halt to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea in a resolution adopted Wednesday that implicitly condemned their main weapons supplier -- Iran. The resolution, sponsored by the United States and Japan, was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions – Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique. It condemns “in the strongest terms” at least two dozen attacks carried out by the Houthis on merchant and commercial vessels, which the resolution says are impeding global commerce and undermining navigational freedom. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT DENVERGAZETTE.COM
For consumers shopping for an EV, new rules mean fewer models qualify for a tax credit
Approved, gazette.com, National

For consumers shopping for an EV, new rules mean fewer models qualify for a tax credit

By ALEXA ST. JOHN - Associated Press | Source: The Gazette DETROIT (AP) — U.S. consumers looking to get a tax credit on an electric vehicle purchase have fewer models to choose from under new rules that limit the countries where automakers can buy battery parts and minerals — a potential blow to efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions from autos. The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law in 2022 expanded tax credits ranging from $3,750 to $7,500 for purchases of new and used EVs, an effort by the Biden administration to stoke demand toward its goal that half of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. But qualifying for the credits depends on requirements related to their battery makeup and minerals that get tougher each year. As of Jan. 1, new rules favor U.S. domestic mat...
Douglas County sees third barn fire in seven weeks
Approved, Denver Metro, denvergazette.com, Local

Douglas County sees third barn fire in seven weeks

By Sage Kelley | Denver Gazette Franktown Fire Prevention District firefighters fought a fully engulfed barn fire on Wednesday morning, just six weeks since another barn fire struck Douglas County. And just seven weeks since a Franktown barn fire killed nine horses. Firefighters extinguished a fire in a 15-by-15-foot barn around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a social media post by the District. The barn is located in the area of Ponderosa Lane and Flintwood Road in unincorporated Douglas County.  READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON DENVERGAZETTE.COM