Rocky Mountain Voice

Author: Jen Schumann

Colorado GOP calls voters into action against Jena Griswold’s cover-up of password leak
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Colorado GOP calls voters into action against Jena Griswold’s cover-up of password leak

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The Colorado Republican Party is attempting to rally residents of the state into action. Amid claims of compromised election security, party leaders are urging voters to demand accountability from officials through the filing of affidavits. They have accused Secretary of State Jena Griswold of overseeing serious election security flaws. The GOP, in their affidavit, called for action. They released expert testimonies, supporting documents and recordings of internal calls between Griswold's office and county clerks. The materials reveal growing frustration among election officials and cybersecurity experts. A controversy exists over exposure of more than 600 BIOS passwords for election systems in half of Colorado's 64 countie...
Boebert, Hurd commit to seamless transition in 3rd District U.S. House leadership
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Boebert, Hurd commit to seamless transition in 3rd District U.S. House leadership

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado Republicans have had some inner-party drama this year. But, teamwork is possible. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and U.S. Rep.-elect Jeff Hurd are proving it. In a joint press release, the two pledge a smooth transition of leadership for Colorado's 3rd U.S. House District. Boebert presently serves in the seat. Hurd will serve in the seat come January. They both express confidence in each other and their teams. “As legislators wrap up our work for the 118th Congress, it is critically important that the people of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District experience a smooth transition of representation as Congressman-elect Jeff Hurd begins his term in January,” says Boebert. The congresswoman highlights ongoing collaboration, not...
Schumann: Polis position as ‘protector of democracy’ at odds with his actions as governor
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Schumann: Polis position as ‘protector of democracy’ at odds with his actions as governor

By Jen Schumann | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has positioned himself as a defender of state autonomy. He launched the Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD) Coalition with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The coalition aims to fight federal overreach under a second Trump administration. Polis seeks to be seen as a champion of democracy.  "In this moment, protecting democracy has never been more relevant or important, and doing so demands strong leadership at the state level," Polis said in his press release announcing the coalition. A closer look at Polis's tenure reveals a different story. He has used his authority as governor to enforce contentious policies. Critics say these policies mirror the federal overreach he opposes. With rising crime a...
‘We only needed to flip three seats’: In House District 16, Keltie leads and is working to keep it that way
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘We only needed to flip three seats’: In House District 16, Keltie leads and is working to keep it that way

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The final act of a mother’s life has come to symbolize the stakes in Colorado’s House District 16 race. A late mother's son ensured his mother's ballot was cured, honoring her final wish to participate in the electoral process. “She saw herself as a patriotic American,” said Rebecca Keltie, the House District 16 Republican candidate. “That was her last act on Earth, and it touches my heart to know she voted for me. It’s humbling.” In one of the last two uncalled Colorado House races, the story highlights the weight of every vote. As of today, Keltie leads incumbent Democrat Steph Vigil by 21 votes. The razor-thin margin triggers an automatic recount per state law. With a midnight Wednesday, Nov. 13, deadline to cure ballots...
Mesa County voters approve measures 4A and 4B for schools, promising upgrades, transparency
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Mesa County voters approve measures 4A and 4B for schools, promising upgrades, transparency

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice In a decisive voice, the Mesa County community voted for ballot measures 4A and 4B. This passage is a clear mandate: Buildings with accessibility and security issues get an overhaul. Five learning days remain on the school calendar. And teachers will receive more approved curriculum sources, so they won’t have to resort to websites like Teachers Pay Teachers.  Mesa County voters passed Ballot Issue 4A with 71% approval to fund school renovations. Ballot Issue 4B, with 65% approval, allows retaining funds for extra educational resources and maintenance. Dr. Brian Hill, the district's superintendent, praised the community's commitment: "This support," he said, "means we can create safer, more modern learning environments. [We can] ...
Vietnam veteran Ray Gooch educates younger generations on U.S. Constitution
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Vietnam veteran Ray Gooch educates younger generations on U.S. Constitution

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice U.S. Army veteran Ray Gooch says "the Lord was taking care of me" when he was "kept out of Vietnam and sent to Alaska". "I learned an awful lot up there with the Arctic, the people and the environment,” he says, reflecting on his time in the military.  His journey from a tight-knit Colorado mountain community to serving in the Cold War and now teaching the U.S. Constitution, as written, as intended, and as ratified in 1887. His is a testament to resilience, patriotism and purpose. Gooch was raised in the mountains of Coal Creek Canyon, Colo. “Our party line had 12 people on it,” he recalls with humor, referencing the shared telephone system where multiple households were connected on the same line. “That was our way of life...
AG Weiser’s challenge to Kroger-Albertsons merger awaiting Judge Luxen’s gavel
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

AG Weiser’s challenge to Kroger-Albertsons merger awaiting Judge Luxen’s gavel

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice The $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons is currently in legal limbo in Colorado. Following a lawsuit initiated by Attorney General Phil Weiser in February 2024, the state's grocery market's future hangs on Judge Luxen's upcoming decision.  Prior to trial, Weiser asserted, "In all events, the Kroger/Albertsons merger is bad for consumers, workers, farmers and communities." Kroger defended it as a way to lower prices, protect jobs and preserve competition. Attorney General Phil Weiser says the merger would "eliminate" competition between the two grocery giants." It would consolidate an already concentrated market. His lawsuit claims this would result in higher prices and reduced consumer choice. Kroger, however...
What a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate means for Americans
Approved, National, Rocky Mountain Voice

What a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate means for Americans

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice Republicans held their first U.S. Senate majority from 1869-1871, after the Civil War. When the 119th Congress meets on Jan. 3, 2025, the seventh Republican Senate majority in history will get to work. With this Senate majority, President Trump will likely have the legislative support to enact his GOP platform without significant roadblocks. As Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kent., steps down, choosing his successor for the new majority is key. It will shape the Senate's direction. After being sworn in on Jan. 3, the next leader will be chosen. McConnell held a hearing this week to discuss election outcomes. He stressed that, by regaining the Senate, Republicans could "set the guardrails" on legislation. "One of the...
How did Colorado vote? Here’s a quick rundown on 2024 statewide ballot initiatives 
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

How did Colorado vote? Here’s a quick rundown on 2024 statewide ballot initiatives 

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice An estimated 63.2% of Coloradans -- more than 2.5 million -- turned out via mail-in, drop-off or in-person voting to help decide a variety of items on one of the longest ballots in memory. For them to decide were seven Colorado constitutional amendments and seven more state propositions. The reporting status as of this report is 73%. All results remain unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State. Constitutional Amendments Amendment 79: Creates a constitutional right to abortion. Result: Passed with 61.5% support (approx. 1,511,329 votes). The measure prohibited state and local governments from blocking access to abortion. It also repealed a previous ban on using public funds for abortion services. Amendment ...
Schumann: It’s a party in MAGA Country, as Trump’s return to White House signals a mandate for change
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Schumann: It’s a party in MAGA Country, as Trump’s return to White House signals a mandate for change

By Jen Schumann | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice When Americans awoke Nov. 6, following an Election Night which went into the wee hours of the early morning, they learned Donald J. Trump had been elected as the 47th U.S. President with 286 electoral votes, defeating Kamala Harris. The broad support of working-class Americans, resulting in Trump's win, signals a clear call to tackle the nation's pressing issues. Trump won important battleground states, including Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. This secured his victory. This election also marked the first time since 2004 that a Republican has won the national popular vote, a milestone CNN contributor Scott Jennings described as “a big deal.” According to sources from Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ, Trump’s w...

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