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Author: Jen Schumann

In Department of Justice inquiry to Tina Peters’ case, the question is whether she is a political prisoner
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In Department of Justice inquiry to Tina Peters’ case, the question is whether she is a political prisoner

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice If an election official was sentenced to nine years in prison, you might assume they had been caught stuffing ballot boxes or rigging results. But, what if they were convicted for preserving election records? That’s the case of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk, whose actions led to a landmark prosecution — one that has now drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.  Federal authorities are stepping in to review whether her sentence was excessive and whether her prosecution was influenced politically. The case also beckons scrutiny over the intersection of election integrity, the rule of law and the fair application of justice. The DOJ’s Statement of Interest, filed March 3 by Acting Assistant Att...
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March for Tina Peters is Saturday, March 1, in Fort Collins
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March for Tina Peters is Saturday, March 1, in Fort Collins

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Tina Peters, formerly the Mesa County clerk and recorder, rose to notoriety for her stance on election integrity, after facilitating a forensic image of Mesa County’s election management system prior to a ‘Trusted Build’ by the Colorado secretary of state. In October 2024, Tina Peters was handed a nine-year prison sentence following a conviction on seven charges, including three felonies, for attempting to influence a public servant, one for conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and misdemeanors for official misconduct, duty violation and noncompliance with the secretary of state. Peters is currently serving her sentence in the Larimer County jail. Her backers are uniting for a show of support, hoping for justice...
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Black belt, Army career prepared Rep. Hartsook for the fight under the Golden Dome
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Black belt, Army career prepared Rep. Hartsook for the fight under the Golden Dome

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice He holds a black belt in judo and has a knack for spotting nonsense. Douglas County Republican Rep. Anthony Hartsook has the background of an Army veteran and the ability to take on "fees" — what Republicans call taxes — with calm precision, and sometimes a grin. You could say he stands out in the capitol's chaos. A sixth-degree black belt since his teens, he’s built for focus. “I’ve been doing judo since I was a teenager,” he says. That’s years of flipping foes and dodging blows. Now he’s sidestepping political traps.  Sometimes he cracks a smile about it.  “I’ve commented that we should put boxing gloves on down in the well [the speaking podium on the floor]. And just go, ‘Last guy standing, bill passes,’”...
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Camping at Sandstone Ranch a ‘disaster waiting to happen,’ firefighters, residents warn
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Camping at Sandstone Ranch a ‘disaster waiting to happen,’ firefighters, residents warn

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Douglas County calls it a ‘pilot program.’ Opponents call it a ‘firestarter kit.’ Despite fire safety warnings, financial concerns and widespread public opposition, county officials are moving forward with the pilot project to allow primitive camping at Sandstone Ranch. Commissioners haven’t budged despite 500-plus public comments, a CORA request revealing near-zero support, community-led petitions and two local government resolutions against the project. At a recent meeting, Commissioner George Teal suggested the project could still be abandoned, signaling cracks in the county’s insistence on moving forward. "Perhaps it’s something that we will abandon after taking a look at it," Teal said. For now, however, the co...
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As commissioners are ‘ignoring their own constituents’ public organizing over Sandstone Ranch primitive camping proposal
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As commissioners are ‘ignoring their own constituents’ public organizing over Sandstone Ranch primitive camping proposal

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A battle is brewing over the future of Sandstone Ranch Open Space. Douglas County’s proposal to introduce primitive camping at the site has sparked overwhelming opposition from residents, firefighters and local organizations. With fire dangers looming, a lack of emergency response infrastructure and no prior public input, critics are calling the plan reckless and dangerous. Residents have mobilized, gathering more than 1,000 signatures on a petition to stop the plan, and two local government bodies have already passed resolutions formally opposing the initiative. A public awareness event is planned for Saturday, and concerned citizens are preparing to speak out at the next board of county commissioners meeting. “We’re ...
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‘We have to fight with everything that we have’: House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost is leading GOP opposition
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‘We have to fight with everything that we have’: House Minority Whip Ryan Armagost is leading GOP opposition

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Ryan Armagost has a background of serving as a U.S. Marine, deputy sheriff and firefighter, making him no stranger to challenging situations. Yet, none of those roles, he says, compare to being a state legislator. Armagost is a Republican serving in Colorado House District 64, which lies in Larimer and Weld counties. "This is definitely the most challenging job I've had," Armagost said. "The constant level of negotiation, bargaining and compromising — and everything that we have to do is equivalent to a bad marriage." 'Whip'ing the GOP members With the departure of Rep. Richard Holtorf from the Golden Dome, Armagost became the minority party's whip in the 75th Colorado Legislature. He had previously been the unof...
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How Jeffco Kids First exposed a school cover-up that made international headlines
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How Jeffco Kids First exposed a school cover-up that made international headlines

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A Jefferson County teacher lost her license after an alleged grooming scandal involving a student at Columbine High School. The more disturbing revelation? School officials allegedly not only failed to stop it, but facilitated a fraudulent federal declaration to help the student move in with another teacher — all without notifying her parents. Leann Kearney, a social studies teacher at Columbine, allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student, according to state investigators. The student’s mother discovered thousands of alleged calls and text messages between the two, including a letter detailing a kiss.  But rather than stepping in to protect the student, Jeffco school staff active...
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The transparency fight for public records despite private agendas in Durango 9-R
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The transparency fight for public records despite private agendas in Durango 9-R

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Access to public, governmental records ensures transparency, but in Durango School District 9-R, accessing them can come with hurdles. Parents say their Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests have been met with delayed responses and roadblocks. Brit Hanson, a Durango parent, started looking into the board’s decision-making processes after growing frustrated with its policies. Her concerns began during the COVID-19 pandemic. "My elementary son wore a mask for an entire year and developed an insane rash. He was on medication. Then he would go to violin class afterwards and still have to wear a mask," Hanson said. At one school forum, she recalled how officials dismissed parents’ concerns. "We had over a hundred par...
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In Grand Junction, officials and community alike want to know more on future resource center site
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In Grand Junction, officials and community alike want to know more on future resource center site

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice City officials are negotiating to relocate Grand Junction’s Resource Center to North Avenue, but residents and business owners have thus far been left uninformed. Despite past assurances a new location should limit its impact on businesses, Rocky Mountain Voice has confirmed that city officials are in the process of acquiring 2851 and 2851 ½ North Avenue, a strip mall surrounded by businesses and residences. Councilmen Dennis Simpson and Scott Beilfuss confirmed the deal is underway, but said the Council has not yet considered it in a formal session. “We’re in the process of negotiating to buy 2851 and 2851 ½ [on North Avenue]. I guess there are two different properties probably [to combine],” Simpson said. Beilfuss...
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Rep. Ty Winter on leadership, rural values and politics: ‘Without your word, you’re nothing’
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Rep. Ty Winter on leadership, rural values and politics: ‘Without your word, you’re nothing’

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Leadership isn’t just about making deals and passing laws for state Rep. Ty Winter. As assistant minority leader, he helps shape the Republican Caucus, while ensuring the people of his Southeast Colorado District 47 have a voice in the Colorado House.  “We grew up in a house where we had to get up and take care of something every day, and I think that's important,” the rancher, businessman and third-generation funeral director said. “When you have another living being depending on you to make sure you water, feed and give it shelter – that teaches work ethic and values.” At the funeral home, Winter is "my mother’s first associate, and my wife and I work alongside her,” he said. “I help on the ranch when needed, but at thi...
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